Natapree Pichaironarongsongkram is the managing director of Supatra Group, a Thailand-based company that counts businesses spanning mass river transit, real estate, hospitality, tourism and advertising. Started in 1920 by Natapree’s great-grandmother, Supatra Group has since then been passed down to generations of women, who turned the humble ferry service into Thailand’s major water transportation business.
Natapree represents the fourth generation of women at the helm of Supatra Group. After joining the family-run business in 2011, Natapree has been growing its real estate portfolio, adding riverside shopping malls and hotels. “I saw a good opportunity for us to diversify our family business and to convert our existing land banks that we once used to just dock our boats on into commercial properties like riverside retail and hotels,” she told Forbes Asia.
Natapree is also transforming Supatra Group’s flagship river transport unit into a more sustainable business. To meet that goal, Chao Phraya Express Boat has partnered with International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, to gradually replace its fleet of diesel boats with electric ones.
“As I stand on the shoulders of the incredible women who came before me, I try to carry forward the values to create positive impact on my community, my society, and also to all my stakeholders,” said Natapree.
