Tycoon finds perfect mate in Museum
Media were buzzing with talk of a “match made in heaven” when billionaire Boonchai Bencharongkul announced that he would tie the knot with actress Bongkot “Tak” Kongmalai, who is known not only for confidently flaunting her curvy f
Boonchai, 58, who is ranked as one of Thailand’s 13 richest bachelors with a net worth of Bt29 billion, has been focusing on his information-technology business and charitable works. The founder of Total Access Communication (DTAC) initially sold his stake to its Norwegian strategic partner Telenor, but had to return as the firm’s chairman because of legal issues.
Meanwhile, Anant Semathong, a close friend of the 27-year-old bride-to-be, said the tycoon had visited Bongkot’s mother and asked her to bless the union almost two weeks ago.
The actress’ mum, Thanapa, confirmed that the billionaire did indeed visit to show her court papers proving he was officially divorced from his previous wife.
The couple will be officially engaged on November 19 at Boonchai’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), where they first caught sight of each other.
Boonchai, who married three times previously, has three children with his first wife. His last two wives were Sararat Rumruangwong and Bencha Baramee.
Though people have been gossiping about the couple’s “lightning engagement”, it has also been reported that Boonchai and Bongkot are already getting their matrimonial home constructed on a 30-rai (5-hectare) plot.
Anant, meanwhile, explained that he had lots of respect for Bongkot and had helped finance her last movie, which cost about Bt30 million to produce.
“If she were not a dignified lady, I would not have made such a big investment. After getting to know her, I realised that she is wonderful. I love her like my own child,” he said.
He added that the couple met at the museum and discovered that they shared similar interests in dharma and making merit. Boonchai was apparently very impressed by the actress’ generosity and her love and respect for her mother.
“Tak’s charm is her simplicity. She is frank and direct without any artificial etiquette. Boonchai loves the way she devotes herself to her work and is wise with her hard-earned money, which she has put aside for her mum’s future. She always meets her beau at a temple, where they both go to make merit,” Anant said.
“If you get to know her, you will realise that she is totally different from the way she portrays herself on the big screen. In real life, she is usually seen in jeans and conservative clothes. She doesn’t go for designer goods and spends most of her free time going on meditation retreats with her mum,” he said.
Thanapa, meanwhile, said she would not ask her soon-to-be son-in-law for any dowry, adding that she found his love for making merit impressive.
“He is a billionaire who is very down-to-earth. He is very gentlemanly and has been consistent with his love for my daughter from the very first day she introduced him to me,” she said.
