The Tamesis
Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth – co-founder of Dusit Medical Services Bangkok and controlling shareholder of Bangkok Airways.
bangkok airways
Thai billionaire Passat Passadon Osos– Co-founder of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BMDS) and controlling shareholder of Bangkok Airways – passed away peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 93.
Prasert became a surgeon in 1960 after graduating from Siriraj Medical College in Bangkok. Nine years later, he collaborated with other doctors to establish BDMS with the vision of creating a network of modern private hospitals that would provide quality medical services to Thais.
BDMS was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1991 and has grown into the country’s largest hospital chain, with a vast network of 60 hospitals and more than 15,000 doctors and 10,000 nurses. It attracts foreign patients to its hospitals, which are known for providing sophisticated medical services. In 2025, BDMS had a net profit of 15.9 billion baht ($496 million) and revenue of 113.3 billion baht, 28% of which came from international patients.
“Dr. Prasert established and laid the foundation for BDMS, guiding its continued growth through his visionary leadership,” BDMS said in its statement. website. “His passing is a great loss. The board, management and entire staff extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies and pay tribute to his enduring legacy and valuable contributions.”
The self-made billionaire was also a pioneer in the aviation industry. Prasert founded Sahakol Air in 1968, which later evolved into Bangkok Airways and was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014. The airline currently has a fleet of 22 aircraft flying to domestic and regional destinations such as Maldives, Dhaka, Luang Prabang and Siem Reap.
Under his leadership, Bangkok Airways developed a private airport on Koh Samui, making the resort island in the Gulf of Thailand a popular tourist destination known for its palm-fringed beaches, luxury resorts and vibrant nightlife.
With a net worth of $3.6 billion, Prasert is one of Thailand’s richest people. He is survived by his wife Vanli, two sons and three daughters. Their eldest son Puttipong is the CEO and President of Bangkok Airways, and their daughter Poramaporn is the President of BDMS.
