Thirayuth succeeds Steeb as Centara CEO

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New Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat (second from right) with (from left) TTG Asia’s Michael Chow, Centara chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat, Gerd Steeb and his partner Pakaratee Narongrach, and Centara’s Supatra and Thirakiati Chirathivat

AS tipped by TTG Asia (March 9, 2012), Thirayuth Chirathivat, son of Centara Hotels & Resorts’ chairman, Suthikiati Chirathivat, has replaced Gerd Steeb as CEO of the hotel group.

Steeb retired recently after 22 years with Centara.

The board of directors of Central Plaza Hotel confirmed the appointment of Thirayuth, who has has more than 21 years of experience in hotel business management.

Thirayuth started his career in 1990 at Hyatt Central Plaza, Bangkok (now Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok) as F&B co-ordinator, and rose to F&B promotions manager, then project development manager. In this latter role, he supervised the completion of two projects, Central Samui Beach Resort (now Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui) and Central Sukhontha Hotel, Hat Yai (now Centara Hotel Hat Yai).

In 1999, Thirayuth was appointed director of project management and procurement, and subsequently became vice president of project management and procurement in 2011.

Before being appointed CEO, he was senior vice president project management, directly responsible for overseeing construction and renovation projects for the entire group of hotels.

Thirayuth has big shoes to fill. His father, Suthikiati, said at Steeb’s farewell: “Gerd Steeb is a man of drive and vision. When he joined us, we had just one hotel in Bangkok, one in Hua Hin, one in Pattaya, and one in Mae Sot. On his retirement day, Centara Hotels & Resorts (had) 55 properties. Of these, 38 are in Thailand and 17 are overseas.”

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