Bangkok: Mourning has enveloped the Cherdchai family and the wider community following the peaceful passing of Mrs. Suchinda Cherdchai, affectionately known as ‘Jay Kiao’, at the age of 88. The legendary figure, celebrated as the queen of Thai tour buses, died on the afternoon of September 27, 2025, at Bangkok Hospital due to age-related health issues.

According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Suchinda Cherdchai was born on March 20, 1937, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. She was the sixth child in her family and demonstrated academic excellence from an early age. Despite her promising academic potential, she left school after the fourth grade and embarked on a journey driven by a personal vow to surpass her mother’s financial status. Her initial ventures included selling goods at train stations and establishing a tailoring school, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.

At 19, a pivotal moment came when she married Mr. Wichai Cherdchai, a truck building shop owner in Korat. This marriage marked her entry into the transportation sector, eventually leading to the establishment of “Cherdchai Tour,” a prominent inter-provincial bus service. The business expanded to encompass more than 200 buses, serving routes nationwide and earning Mrs. Cherdchai her esteemed title.

Cherdchai Garage grew into a significant bus manufacturing and assembly operation, exporting internationally. The business diversified into automobile sales, spare parts, and real estate, reinforcing her status as a key industry figure. In her role as a former president of the Bus Operators Association, Mrs. Cherdchai was known for her advocacy on bus fare costs, particularly during oil price hikes.

The water pouring ceremony for Mrs. Cherdchai is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2015, at 4:00 PM at Cherdchai Garage on Mittraphap Road.