[Natalia Sutrisno Tjahja]Nick Bhirombhakdi(Chutinant) is the third generation of the Bhirombhakdi family.
He was the late CEO of Boonrawd Brewery Co. Ltd.(Singha Corporation), Chairman Singha Estate PLC, President of Thai Paralympics etc. Boonrawd Brewery is one of the largest and oldest beer companies in Thailand.
My meeting with Nick happened in 2018 through the kindness of Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi (Managing Director of Cavallino Motors Ferrari Thailand) Nick’s niece in-law and also Piyapas Bhirombhakdi (Nick's wife).
He loved disabled children and people with disabilities with all of his heart. He had a unique way of caring for and loving his disabled athletes. He used a wheelchair when he practiced basketball along with Thai para athletes.
He invited former NBA player Vladimir Radmanovic, Dikembe Mutombo to Bangkok to do a friendship wheelchair basketball competition (by using wheelchair) with Thai para athletes.
He also initiated a 40 para athletes marathon race on Chaiyapruek Road, Bangkok, Thailand on August 4, 2019. He wanted to show the world that the disabled athletes have great abilities in sports.
He made a beautiful program called " Wheelshare Journey". He let hundreds of university students in Thailand make wheelchairs. That was such an amazing program.
Our non profit foundation Maria Monique Lastwish Foundation also did a lot of charity activities with him on many occasions. Nick and his son Naiyanobh, supported our non profit film "Movie Boccia'' with his beautiful heart.
"Movie Boccia" is a non-profit film directed by Natalia Tjahja that is supported by Asian Paralympic Committee, Paralympic Committee of Thailand, Paralympic Committee of Indonesia, Paralympic Committee of Korea, National Sports Council of Malaysia, Paralympic Committee of Philippines, Paralympic Committee of China, Japan Boccia Association, CJ Entertainment Indonesia, Marriott Group in Asia, Indonesia Embassy at Korea, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Cavallino Motors Ferrari Thailand , 8mm Studio etc.
And yet the screening non profit film "Movie Boccia" in Bangkok is on the same date as the launching of his Singha Estate’s property project "Crossroads Maldives" on September 19th, 2019
Nick also visited the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok and met the Indonesian Ambassador Mr Ahmad Rusdi, and explained about Maria Monique Lastwish foundation activities.
Nick was also one of advisors for our charity activities "Diffable awards 2021" which was also supported by Siti Marifah (the eldest daughter of the vice president of the Republic of Indonesia) and Marriott International.
The Karate Legend Nick Bhirombhakdi received "The Order of Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rossete" award from The Japan Emperor for contributing to popularizing Karate to which has greatly enhanced the cordial relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and Japan. He loved Bruce Lee's journeys so much.
Japan's Akita Prefecture appointed the Paralympic Committee of Thailand Chief, Nick Bhirombhakdi as "Akita Ambassador" in terms of promoting the 2019 Akita Festival through sports cooperation. Afterwards, a press conference was held, attended by Akita Prefectural Governor Norihisa Satake, Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shiro Sadoshima, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, and honorary adviser to Akita Tourism in Thailand Hisao Kikuji.
Nick was once a Senator and he wrote his story in a book in Thai language by himself. As an actor, He had played in a Thai Television series and starred in the film Triple Threat on Netflix.
Nick celebrated his 32nd wedding anniversary at home by doing something as simple as watching the Television series “Crash Landing on you”, a gesture so simple yet still made him happy.
He also supported " Asia Cooking Journeys" with Thai para athletes. Where we can provide Thai Chefs cooked dishes to Thai para athletes. He told me not to change the program’s name due to its worldwide fame.
Good bye Nick Bhirombhakdi, thank you for being our brother and father for us and para athletes.
Rest in love, you will be forever in our hearts…
저작권자 ⓒ선데이타임즈, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지