AT HOME WITH THE SEAFOOD MAGNATE IN HIS PHUKET VILLA: DISAPHOL CHANSIRI ON TURNING HISTORIC BUILDINGS INTO A SHOWCASE FOR THAILAND'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

Fittingly for someone whose family business empire revolves around the ocean – from seafood and pearls to stylish hotels – Disaphol Chansiri owns one of the most breathtaking beach houses in Phuket

- NANA BOTTAZZI

Set amid tropical gardens filled with flowers, the villa is made up of five bungalows built on a hillside sloping down to a private cove. A lover of Thailand’s natural beauty and traditional architecture but also of contemporary art, Disaphol has created a home that brings them all together in what he calls “an explosion of colour”.

It’s the same instinct that led this cultured and erudite man – a professor of law – to launch himself into hospitality.

“I’m passionate about beauty with history, so I started buying old buildings and converting them into hotels and restaurants, so that people could appreciate and get to know the architectural beauty of our country, our culture and, of course, our talent as hosts. My family always encouraged me to do that,” he says.

Disaphol, what can you tell us about your background? 

“Our company, Thai Union Group, is a major player in the food industry. It’s the largest producer of canned tuna in the world. We’re also involved in freshwater pearls, real estate and even organic farming.” 

Where are you based? 

“In Bangkok, but my holidays are usually spent either here or in my home in Chiang Mai, in the north of the country. They’re completely different. I like to spend the summer here and the winter in Chiang Mai. My house there is a former royal residence that I bought and renovated 15 years ago. I’m in love with the mountains of northern Thailand and am now in the process of buying a couple of other former royal residences there, to preserve their beauty for future generations.”