Page 54 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 8 | December - January 2025

Aloke Lohia with members of
The Stock Exchange of Thailand.

As we speak, it’s clear that Aloke is
inextricably interwoven with the Thai
Indian community, recalling history and
connections with mutual friends with ease.
It is a journey of more than three decades,
culminating in the India-Thai Chamber of
Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award

in 2024. Re ecting on the honour, he said
the award “is a dedication to my family,
friends, colleagues and peers who have
mentored and supported me in Indorama
Ventures’ journey, in particular my father
Mohan Lal Lohia, my brother Sri Prakash
‘SP’ Lohia, and the indispensable role of
my wife Suchitra and our children. In my
speech, I recalled my father’s wisdom in Orion Global Pet, Lithuania - In 2004, the company acquired Orion

choosing Thailand for me. I was 30 years Global PET in Lithuania, marking its rst foray in Europe. The
old when I landed in Bangkok with a dream foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by Mr. Aloke Lohia
(1st on left), Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia (2nd from left),
of building a chemical franchise for the and Mr. Mohan Lal Lohia (2nd from right).
family rm, which was then a modest textile

business in Indonesia and India.”
Indonesia and ‘Rama’ is our mythological as the growth afterwards.” This trust, he
As he deftly fills his pipe with quick, god. That’s where the main business started, says with clear gratitude, included nancial

practiced motions, Aloke recounts their and I joined it in 1978 after my education. support. “When it comes to funding, parents
humble beginnings, tendrils of smoke My father was always very fond of Thailand normally cringe,” he says with a rueful smile.
adding intrigue as he lifts the curtain on because you could say this is where he “It’s a big investment, but the larger family
a family business that de ed the odds to began. In the 80s, Thailand was a ‘rising fully supported my ventures.”

become a global success. “It all started with tiger,’ its economy growing fabulously.
my father who came back to Thailand in Painting a vivid picture of someone who
1958 and brought me here as an infant,” he The mandate he gave me was that even learned to forge his own path while keeping

begins. “In the 1960s, he started his rst though we were a textile company he his family’s legacy close, Aloke emphasises
manufacturing company in Thonburi called wanted me to do something else. So I ended that Indorama Ventures’ strength is working
Thonburi Lace Company, together with up in the chemical business.” together as a family and keeping their values
his business partner, Bhagat Singh Sethi, Aloke pauses to emphasise the support front and centre. “I got married in 1982 and
and he was here until 1966. Before that, we of his larger family: “This wouldn’t have I have three kids, all of whom are working
were in trading – buying and selling goods. been possible without my parents and in the company,” he says with unconcealed
My father lived in nine countries through siblings. I’m the youngest in the family pride. “My wife Suchitra is Deputy Group
the 50s to 70s, and he experienced true and their support was unique – there was CEO and each of my children have central
hardship in those days. In 1972, he landed no backseat driving. While my mandate leadership roles in key parts of the business.”
in Indonesia, and that’s where the name was clear, they left it to me to choose the Coming over almost emotional, Aloke takes

‘Indorama’ was coined: ‘Indo’ stands for business, and they fully endorsed it as well a moment to re ect on his wife’s support

| MASALA MAGAZINE DEC JAN