LEGEND STORY
Dating back to the reign of Rattanakosin Rama VI, 1917, a young man aged 15 from Fujian province,
Mainland China named Su Tingfang or Wichai Sosothikul sailed along with his father and mat and pillows to Siam. His first occupation in Siam was selling steel in the factory of his uncle. He had accumulated experience on the job until he became the manager of Ginseng wood factory. Wichai found love with Boonsom Boonyanit, a Thai girl who was of Chinese descent that lived in Ayutthaya. After marriage, the family welcomed new members: 9 sons and daughters as 2nd generation heirs to inherit the Sosothikul family.
In B.E. 2478, Wichai decided to become "boss" who pioneered his own businesses, establishing Huasengjan Co., Ltd., by renting 2-storey building to operate trading firm and it is the starting point for "Sosothikul" family business but the business during the 2nd World War was extremely difficult. The economy was sluggish. They also had to escape the bomb in Bangkok area at all times.
After the WWII and things were back to normal, Wichai Sosothikul’s business began a steady and progressive growth, leading to the establishment of Wattanasin Phanit Co., Ltd. on January 28th, 1948, the headquarter was moved to Talat Noi, Samphanthawong district. There are trades with foreign countries of import various kinds of products, including shoes from Singapore. It’s model #500 shoes with brown fabric and brown rubber base, packed in brown paper bags. This model was imported from Singapore to sell in Thailand at the price of THB 12 per pair (USD 0.50).
Nanyang footwear business in the first 2 years was at a loss, but when the market began to accept quality of products at Sampeng market (the wholesales market in Bangkok) and rural markets. It has been jokingly said that "the shoes can be worn to work across the mountain back and forth but you’d need a pair to go over the mountain and another to come back with any other brand ".
Additionally, when Nanyang became extremely popular at later time, the company reduced its imports by focusing more on only selling shoes. Since then, Nanyang ChangDao trademark (Chang is Elephant, Dao is Star) has been registered with the Thai Ministry of Commerce in 1949. Before Wichai - Boonsom Sosothikul, was a co-author of the "Nanyang" legend in the following 4 years in 1953.
In B.E. 2478, Wichai decided to become "boss" who pioneered his own businesses, establishing Huasengjan Co., Ltd., by renting 2-storey building to operate trading firm and it is the starting point for "Sosothikul" family business but the business during the 2nd World War was extremely difficult. The economy was sluggish. They also had to escape the bomb in Bangkok area at all times.
After the WWII and things were back to normal, Wichai Sosothikul’s business began a steady and progressive growth, leading to the establishment of Wattanasin Phanit Co., Ltd. on January 28th, 1948, the headquarter was moved to Talat Noi, Samphanthawong district. There are trades with foreign countries of import various kinds of products, including shoes from Singapore. It’s model #500 shoes with brown fabric and brown rubber base, packed in brown paper bags. This model was imported from Singapore to sell in Thailand at the price of THB 12 per pair (USD 0.50).
Nanyang footwear business in the first 2 years was at a loss, but when the market began to accept quality of products at Sampeng market (the wholesales market in Bangkok) and rural markets. It has been jokingly said that "the shoes can be worn to work across the mountain back and forth but you’d need a pair to go over the mountain and another to come back with any other brand ".
Additionally, when Nanyang became extremely popular at later time, the company reduced its imports by focusing more on only selling shoes. Since then, Nanyang ChangDao trademark (Chang is Elephant, Dao is Star) has been registered with the Thai Ministry of Commerce in 1949. Before Wichai - Boonsom Sosothikul, was a co-author of the "Nanyang" legend in the following 4 years in 1953.
