CHIVA-SOM OUR HISTORY

In 1993, our founder, Thai businessman and politician Boonchu Rojanastien demolished his beach house in the Thai resort of Hua Hin to build a weekend retreat from the fast pace of of Bangkok city life. He was inspired by his own very positive experiences back in the 1970s, at ‘health farms’, mainly in Europe. When he opened Chiva-Som, meaning ‘Haven of Life’, in 1995, he invited his friends and family to share beach walks, fresh air, good food and relaxation, under his personal motto: ‘above all, enjoy life!’ Over time, more people were excited to follow the path of wellness by the sea in the Gulf of Thailand and Chiva-Som became Asia’s first wellness resort, followed rapidly by a worldwide reputation as a leading holistic health destination and the winner of many awards. Almost 30 years on, we’re proud of our legacy and grateful to our founder who’s vision has led to the transformation of so many people’s lives.
 
TODAY’S LEADERSHIP

Krip Rojanastien

Krip Rojanastien succeed his late father as Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som in 2007, having transformed his own life from an overworked and overweight banking vice-president into a passionate advocate for the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

After visiting his father’s newly-built resort in its early days, he quickly appreciated his vision for the wellbeing of mind, body and spirit. Personally he discovered a love for running and eating well, losing 15 kg in six months and running his first marathon a year later. This led him to launch the annual Hua Hin Marathon, a fund raiser, which continues to attract over 3,000 runners from around the world.

Krip passionately believes that personal wellness is inextricably linked to the the health of our planet and that a holistic approach to pursuing long-term health extends to the health of the wider public. This makes sustainability a core value at all Chiva-Som properties, influencing not only the guest’s journey but the resorts’ operations and outreach to local communities and environmental protection.

With this philosophy in mind, Krip spearheaded the launch of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar and has successfully introduced the concept of sustainable wellness to a whole new community. Zulal is the first wellness resort to introduce the concept of wellness for all the family, while also being the first to champion the ancient and natural wisdom of TAIM, (Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine).

Both at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som and Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Krip is pivotal in the preservation of the coastal mangroves, critically important ecosystems under threat from the climate emergency. He is chair of the Preserve Hua Hin Group, formed in 2004 under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maya Chakra Sirindhorn. This is a sustainable charity that has planted 11,000 mangrove trees since 2013.

Krip continues to steer the world class reputation for holistic and sustainable wellness for which both Zulal by Chiva-Som and Chiva-Som Hua Hin are internationally acclaimed.

CHIVA-SOM’S FOUNDER

Boonchu Rojanastien

Founder Boonchu Rojanastien was a visionary figure for wellness in Thailand, an early adopter for the necessity to keep mentally and physically balanced in the face of a busy career. As Thailand’s former Deputy Prime Minister, Boonchu frequently travelled, as early as the 1970s, to ‘health farms’, mainly in Europe.

His positive experiences inspired him to share the idea of a health and wellness way of life with his friends and wider community. In April 1995, after several years of planning and construction, Chiva-Som opened amongst the natural habitat of his former beach house in Hua Hin.

The son of a Thai-Chinese carpenter, Boonchu trained as an accountant and was president of the leading commercial bank, before entering politics in his 50s. It was Chiva-Som that allowed him to recuperate from the strains of high office and by the time he died, aged 86, his beloved resort had become one of the leading destinations in the international world of wellness