Lot Lai Mangkon: The Study of Thai Business History during the period of the 1950s to the 1980s

Abstract

The article studies the historical details which influence the character design of Mr. Liang Sue Phanit and analyzes the forms and characteristics of Sue Phanit’s family business by using a business history approach. The study period in the article is scoped from the 1950s to the 1980s conforming to the story in this book. The study finds that the author received the biographies of Mr.Chin Sophonphanit and Mr.Thiam Chokwatthana who are 2 well-known Sino-Thai businessmen in order to design the life of Mr.Liang, the main character in the novel. The forms and characteristics of the business in the book are discussed in 4 topics as follows: the patronage system between businesses and politicians or political parties, the organizational management in the format of family business and business expansion in a horizontal line, gender and labor relations in the organization, as well as the founding of the share business in the late 1980s. All topics mentioned reflect the business operation by Sino-Thai businessperson in the study period.