Toy Bhirombhakdi & Nics Chotjurangkool on their Forever Kind of Love
They say “love built on friendship leads to a union made in heaven”, and that’s certainly true for these two lovebirds – both heirs to prominent Thai business empires – who are due to tie the knot at the end of this year, after a proposal in Central Park, New York City in November 2021.
Marriages between the who’s who of Thailand are often celebrated with much fanfare, but can we expect the same for lovebirds Naiyanobh “Toy” Bhirombhakdi and Suthita “Nics” Chotjurangkool. Well, the answer is a simple “no” say the couple, both of whom are accomplished executives in their respective family-run businesses.
“The engagement ceremony will be held later this year, with close family members and friends. We want it to be a small event,” remarks Toy while glancing lovingly at Nics. “As for the wedding, all I can say is that it will be a destination wedding, somewhere close to nature and the sea, also with just a small crowd of people whom we love and cherish.
“For us, I would say it’s not so much about how the day of the wedding pans out, but the significance it holds for us,” Nics continues. “It will be the day we’ll begin life’s journey together. That makes me feel excited.”
Both these young executives come from loving and close-knit households. Toy is the youngest son of M.L. Piyapas Bhirombhakdi and Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, CEO of Boon Rawd Brewery Co, Ltd (who passed away last year).
After his time at the University of San Francisco in the USA, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Toy went on to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst College in the UK, considered one of the most prestigious cadet academies in the world. After that, he completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University. Today he holds the post of First Senior VP of Corporate Financial and Administration at Boon Rawd Brewery Co, Ltd.
This dynamic executive is also an avid golfer and the co-owner of Golf Point Center, a professional golfing facility equipped with advanced technological golfing simulators, offering golfing lessons from experts. Following in the footsteps of his late father, Toy is eager to see the advancement of sports for the disabled in Thailand. He has been the president of the Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of Thailand (CPSAT) since 2016, and president of the National Paralympic Committee of Thailand since early 2023.
Nics, meanwhile, also descends from a prominent lineage. She’s the daughter of Surachai and Punjaporn Chotjurangkool of Platinum Fashion Mall, and currently holds the title of Director and Executive VP of The Platinum Group PCL. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy (International Programme) at Chulalongkorn University, and went on to obtain an MBA in Executive Business Administration at Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University.
The pair, both 33, have dated for seven years, and are thus well prepared mentally to take the plunge and get married. Toy describes his soon-to-be bride as a woman who has grown to love him despite their differences. Being together for this long has made them both realise just how much they complement each other.
“We haven’t lived together under the same roof,” he says, “but being in a relationship for so long has helped us to know each other’s character and personality very well – from our likes and dislikes, to how we can help each other grow as individuals. Ever since I decided to propose to Nics, I have been emotionally preparing myself to get married. She’s the one whom I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
The Importance of Mutual Love and Respect
Toy and Nics might share great chemistry when they are together, but it is their mutual love, respect, and admiration for each other that make their union so strong. Meeting each other for the first time, through common friends, the couple admits that while Toy found her worth getting to know more, Nics opted to take the budding relationship slowly.
“I’m a woman who takes her time before allowing herself to develop feelings for a person who has shown interest in her,” she shares. “I’m not physically attracted to a person easily. I opt to take the relationship slowly so I can gradually love that person.”
After their first encounter, the couple took their growing admiration for each other to the next level by keeping in touch via text messages, as Toy was still studying in the UK, while Nics was working in Bangkok. Their relationship blossomed further after Toy became a close and trusted friend whom she could call on at all times.
“Throughout my life, I have cherished the strong bonds I share with my friends, who have been an incredible support system to me. When Toy entered my life, it enlightened me on the depth and beauty a romantic relationship could hold. Together, we have cultivated a profound friendship that I deeply treasure. This experience has taught me the true essence of being best friends within the context of a romantic relationship, and it holds a special and meaningful place in my life.”
While the groom-to-be is quick to describe himself as not being the romantic type, his better half begs to differ. “I feel he has his romantic moments, like three weeks ago when he surprised me by sending white peonies to my hotel room while I was on a vacation with a friend in Paris, wishing me a happy anniversary. That was quite a romantic gesture.”
The Proposal
Nics’ smile broadens when asked if she was surprised by the marriage proposal in Central Park. “Yes, I was. It happened in New York, a city he’s never been fond of but a place I like, plus we had never really discussed this – like details of when and how it would be. On the topic of marriage we would usually just skip to the part about raising a family. This is why the proposal came as a total surprise to me.
“He actually looked quite calm that morning. Even though it was a bit odd that he was on his phone most of the time while we were heading to Central Park, I was completely clueless about what was about to happen. It was only when he began to lose his direction to where we were going that I felt something strange was going on (laughs). He’s normally very good with directions, and so this was very unusual behavior.”
Toy describes the day as a pretty hectic one, since he was hoping to see everything fall into place as planned (which it eventually did). “I had booked the photographer to capture the moment; however, I ended up not being able to locate the person at the spot we were supposed to meet, as we reached there early. That’s why I was on the phone for such a long time trying to contact her. Eventually, all my fears were put to rest when I spotted the photographer. The rest turned out to be a memorable day.”
When asked about the Tiffany & Co. engagement ring, Toy remarks that he knew Nics would like it because his mother helped him select it. “I asked her to assist me because I know she has impeccable taste in such things.” Nics, not surprisingly, was over the moon with the ring. “I’m very glad the ring is Tiffany & Co. Their brand and design are timeless. My favourite collection is Tiffany Lock.”
On Family and Role Models
While on the subject of parents, Nics confides that as she grows older, she has become closer to her mother, sharing with her more intimate details about the things that matter most to her, such as her career and her relationship. Her mother’s valuable advice has helped her to navigate life better. Her father, on the other hand, gives her space to be her own woman in a household where she has been growing up with three older brothers.
As for Toy, he says that he became close to his father when he grew up. His father greatly helped to guide him through his development into adulthood. However, his only regret is that they have never had the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart conversation about marriage.
“I learned a lot when I worked with him. I could talk to him about everything. My father and grandfather have been my role models when it comes to the type of husband and father. They were both family-oriented men. They worked very hard, but never overlooked their families. They were fully engaged with each of their children, giving love, time, and support.”
Since Toy and Nics are both family-oriented people, it stands to reason that they would strive towards a healthy work-life balance. “I work five days a week, sometimes even at the weekends. Work is my priority,” Toy points out. “To keep that balance, I work out every morning, starting at 6.30am with stretching. After workout, I have an ice bath. These morning routine activities refresh and get me going for the day. After work, I might go to practice my golf.”
For Nics, things are different because she doesn’t have fixed office hours. “I’m fortunate that my office time is more flexible. For the most part, I’m able to plan my own schedule. I make sure to have training exercise in the morning – at least twice a week – before going to work. Also, I try to put variety into my workout regime too by having Pilates training whenever my time allows. As for following a proper diet, I’m fortunate that I’ve always been fond of healthy food. But my weakness is dessert!”
On Keeping Things Simple and Sophisticated
When asked to elaborate on their own personal styles, Nics takes the lead and describes her style as being minimalist with a hint of sophistication. For Toy, his work clothes include shirts, vests, and slacks, but on his days off he says he’s happiest in sports attire. Good taste, for both, is best described as clothes that make a person feel “this is me”. It shouldn’t be about chasing after a particular fashion style, but rather finding the style that a person is most comfortable in.
While rather low-key in his own approach towards fashion, Toy concedes that it depends on the occasion. “Good taste, when called upon to attend a function, could mean dressing up to the nines. However, in my daily activities, I don’t know how to describe good taste, as my style doesn’t necessarily stand out. For me, good taste could be something that might make others raise their eyebrows.” That said, Tom Ford is definitely his choice for the slick look when it comes to suits and tuxedos.
Nics, by contrast, is a bit more eclectic with respect to her go-to fashion brands. “I’m not one to limit myself to just high-end brand names. Rather, I find myself drawn to understated elegance, valuing a minimalist and simplistic aesthetic, paired with high-quality materials, patterns, and tailoring. Most importantly, no matter how beautiful the items are, I must feel that they suit me when I actually wear them.
“My preference is to browse multi-brand digital platforms, such as Moda Operandi or Net-a-Porter, in my quest to discover new styles and designs. Although I have a versatile wardrobe collection that holds an array of labels, my current favourites include Bottega Veneta, Christopher Esber, Khaite, Victoria Beckham, Toteme, Matteau, and Vvon Sugunnasil. For everyday wear, I opt for casual, comfortable pieces like linen clothes, simple shirts, and jeans.”
Finally, when asked about life mottos, Nics perhaps sums it up best: “At any given moment, I exert my utmost effort and accept whatever outcome arises. Whether I succeed and feel content, or encounter disappointment and consider it a valuable lesson, I harbour no regrets. I strongly believe that every experience I’ve had has sculpted me into the person I am today.”
Photographer: Jittarat Jintasirikul
Stylist: Pisit Jirathadaphan
Makeup Artist (Toy): Kim Pathsaran Kanjanwong
Hair Stylist (Toy): Chanya Chumpalee
Makeup Artist (Nics): Rinpapak Sookariyakul
Hair Stylist (Nics): Makthory Prom
Editorial Coordinator: Jettana Tang
Location: Camelots Studio Bangkok
Jewellery: Tiffany & Co.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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