The Maleenont family () is a Thai family of Chinese descent, consisting of the descendants of media mogul Vichai Maleenont (16 August 1919 – 8 October 2018), who founded

BEC World BEC World Public Company Limited (), doing business as BEC World, is a Thai media conglomerate, best known as the operator of television Channel 3. It was founded in 1990 and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1995, though the group be ...

, the operator of television Channel 3. He had four sons: Prasan, Pravit, Pracha, and Prachum; and four daughters: Ratana, Nipa, Amphorn, and Ratchanee Nipatakusol. Together, they and their descendants own 43% in BEC World, and are ranked by

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The co ...

as the 47th richest in Thailand as of 2019. Vichai's three elder sons were involved in the operations of Channel 3 from early on. Pravit emerged as leader of its management, but left his post as managing director in 2012 due to health concerns. Prasan inherited leadership of the company from Vichai in 2016, but predeceased his father shortly after, passing the role to youngest brother Prachum. Pracha had entered into politics with the

Thai Rak Thai Party The Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT; , , ; "Thais Love Thais Party") was a list of political parties in Thailand, Thai political party founded in 1998. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under its founder, Prime Minister of Thailand, Prime Mini ...

around 2000, holding several successive ministerships, but was sentenced to jail for corruption in 2013 and fled the country.

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