Page 56 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 5 | June - July 2024

Over 12 years of journalism, I have come across
some of the most intriguing characters, from
eccentric celebrities to industry titans, with their
unique backstories and banter. However, I have
come to realise the most meaningful conversations
have been birthed from encountering influential
individuals who are (by choice) far removed from
the limelight; the unsung heroes, if you will. Their
value isn’t necessarily determined by how many
lives they have saved or that they were the catalyst
behind a tectonic shift in how society behaves or
lives. Sometimes, it narrows down to a person’s
lasting impact in their respective fields of expertise,
or the communities they belong to and serve. Cut
from a similar fabric, Vinai Gandhi, who comes
from an accomplished lineage and displays true
grit, embodies the humility and dynamic nature
of the stoic generations of yesteryear.

Equally admirable is his ability to adapt to the
modern approach to conducting business and live
life to the fullest, while keeping his feet firmly on
the ground and behind the scenes. Vinai has a
reputation for being a private man; he would rather
have his work do the talking. Hoewever, when I
had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time
in his beautiful home, I would have never pegged
this gentleman to be reserved or closed off, as he
has a genuine, warm, and welcoming aura about
him. His ability to engage with people with such
ease is rooted in the capabilities of his father and
his chachas (father’s brothers).

Like many Punjabi families during the partition,
Vinai’s grandparents decided to seek opportunities beyond the For example, there was also a high demand for our high-end
borders of the Indian subcontinent with their first three sons; Vinai’s polyester,” explains Vinai. “This boosted our wholesale operations to
father, the eldest, was 12 at the time. A couple of years after the incredible success, and it was only natural for us to expand based on
Gandhi family established their new home in Songkhla, located our rapid growth. We were providing goods to the fashion industry
in southern Thailand, Vinai’s father and uncles began the family’s and major corporations, which only led to more expansion. For
venture into retail. Soon after, his grandmother gave birth to two example, we were offered an embroidery factory as a viable branch
more sons, bringing the total to five brothers. With plenty of mouths of our business. As long as the brothers stayed together, we kept
to feed, as one would expect, the work ethics of the time developed building on that success.”
them into resilient members of society. It was a seven-day work week,
up at six in the morning every day until nine at night, without the In natural procession, Vinai and his cousins took the reins of the
option of having a single holiday. The family simply wanted to work family business. But as the family expanded, so did their ambitions,
hard to provide a comfortable and happy life. and they had the foresight to understand that pivoting into different
fields was essential. Vinai, his father, eldest chacha, and cousins
“It was peaceful, but I only have vague memories of the time,” teamed up to realise their vision for the future together.
Vinai says fondly. “Even though I was born and raised in Bangkok,
we were shuffling back and forth when I was growing up. It took “We had the manpower to explore different industries, so we initially
slightly over a decade until the family was financially comfortable searched for commercial properties, putting quality first, just as
to venture into Bangkok. They went from retailing in Songkhla, to in textiles” explains Vinai. “We also purchased land in certain
selling wholesale in Bangkok. It was admirable the way my father locations for future development; a natural step in real estate.
and chachas were running the business, while providing proper Not too long after, we decided on a property to usher us into the
education for their younger siblings back in India.” hospitality industry and gave it a complete revamp; tearing it down
and building it back up.”
In the 70s and 80s, there were several booming industries, including
textiles. The family thrived with their expertise in this field. Soon, At this point, Vinai and his family had their hands in textiles, real
solidifying their presence in Bangkok was a necessity, and the family estate, and hospitality. The success in these industries is rooted in
developed properties in the city from scratch and called them their Vinai’s inspiration: his father. We delved a little deeper into how
home. Bangkok had become their new home. Vinai made his way this inspiration solidified his position in the family businesses, how
into the family business at the age of 22, after graduating from critical his family is to his own success, and how, equally important,
Virginia Tech in the US. he maintains his work-life balance. Not to mention, bonding over
our affinity for everything Italian, while the family’s ridiculously
“By the time I joined, the company had begun to export goods. adorable dog, Justin, frolicked around to distract us. It’s safe to say,
this has been one of my favourite conversations in recent times.

56 | MASALA MAGAZINE JUN-JUL 2024