The Central Group of Companies is a family-owned conglomerate holding company in Thailand that is involved in retailing, real estate, hotels and restaurants. Among its subsidiaries is Central Pattana (SET: CPN), which is the largest developer and operator of shopping centers in Thailand and the Central Retail Corporation, Thailand's biggest retail conglomerate. Its chief rival is The Mall Group, which owns Siam Paragon and The Emporium and several suburban shopping centers.
Tiang Chirathivat started a general merchandise store in 1947 in Samphanthawong district, Bangkok's Chinatown. In 1957, Tiang's son, Samrit Chirathivat, opened the first Central Department Store in Wangburapha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The company's property development arm, Central Pattana was founded in 1980, and opened its first shopping center, Central Plaza Lat Phrao in Chatuchak district, Bangkok in 1982.
The retail property development and management arm of the Central Group, Central Pattana was founded on June 17, 1980 with a registered capital of 300 million baht. The company became registered as a public limited company in 1994 and was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1995. The company operates eight shopping malls in Bangkok, including CentralWorld, as well as shopping centers in Chiang Mai and Chonburi. Expansion plans in 2010-2011 such as CentralPlaza Udon Thani renovation from formerly Charoensri Complex, CentralFestival Chiang Mai, CentralPlaza Chiang Rai, CentralPlaza Rama IX, and Rama IV Project (Lumpini Park)