The Billionaire

In 2002, Tob, a high school student in Thailand, dabbles in real-money trading inside an online game. The volatile bets and late-night gambles begin to erode his grades and set the stage for his willingness to take bold risks.

In 2003, he rejects his parents’ advice and tries to launch a business reselling Chinese-made DVD players. He spends his university tuition on devices and secretly sells his father’s precious amulet, arranging for a friend to record his sessions so he won’t miss opportunities.

A trip to a trade fair leads Tob to a chestnut stall that sparks a new business idea. He hires his uncle Tuan as a clerk and pushes the venture, but the mall they strike a deal with proves unfriendly, forcing a relocation.

The early days of the chestnut stand bring missteps as a forced dodge of an exam and a smoky mall atmosphere dampen their start. Meanwhile his father's business sinks deeper into debt and the family considers selling the house.

Facing mounting money troubles and family pressure, Tob decides to stay in Thailand and push ahead with the chestnut idea rather than giving up on his education. This decision marks a turning point toward resilience.

Trouble with the chestnut venture continues, and Tob redoubles his effort when a date with Rin introduces a possible new path: a seasoned seaweed snack. He pours himself into solving frying hurdles and even sells his computers to fund the venture.

A rainy night reveals an unexpected breakthrough: moisture from the rain dampens a crucial step in frying seaweed, unlocking a workable production method. The same night, Tob’s uncle Tuan collapses and is rushed to the hospital, heightening the stakes.

With the technique in hand, the seaweed venture starts to take off, projected to earn around 1 million baht per year. Tob also learns the scale of his family’s debt—about 40 million baht—and that the family home is on the market.

An early attempt to partner with 7-Eleven hits a snag because the packaging and format don’t meet the retailer’s requirements. Tob breaks up with Rin during this period, then revises the packaging and waits for Pooh’s team to notice.

Tao Kae Noi gains acceptance from 7-Eleven and Tob is tasked with setting up a factory that must pass sanitary inspection within a month. He seeks a bank loan but is rejected due to youth and his parents being overseas, which steels his resolve.

A pawn shopkeeper who once bought Tob’s amulet becomes part of the pressure as he moves forward with a factory in an abandoned warehouse. He overcomes a cascade of problems and the factory clears the sanitary inspection, delivering the first batch to 7-Eleven.

With the factory up and running, Tob pays off his parents’ debts and invites them back home. Tao Kae Noi expands rapidly, employing thousands and supplying 7-Eleven stores across the country.

The brand grows from a national success to global reach, eventually spanning 6,000 stores in 27 countries and recording sales in the billions. By 2010, Tob is crowned Thailand’s youngest billionaire as Tao Kae Noi becomes a household name.

The film closes with Tob aboard a plane, content with his extraordinary journey and still immersed in the gaming hobby that sparked his entrepreneurial rise.