Profile of Phiphat Paniangvait, the key leader and pioneer behind the instant noodle brand "Mama," who passed away peacefully at the age of 87.
On 9 July 2026, according to a Facebook post by “Pun Paniangvait,” son of Mr. Phiphat Paniangvait, chairman and chief executive officer of Thai President Foods Public Company Limited, he expressed condolences upon the peaceful passing of Mr. Phiphat at age 87. He wrote, “There’s nothing to worry about, Dad. Our family loves each other, siblings are united and take care of one another, just as you wished. Rest well, Dad. You don’t have to be tired anymore.”
Mr. Phiphat Paniangvait, the pioneer leader behind the instant noodle brand “Mama,” well-known in Thailand and nicknamed the “Godfather of Mama,” was born on 4 July 1939 in Bangkok. He was married to Mrs. Ratana Paniangvait and had seven children.
Regarding education, he completed secondary school at Santirat Bamrung School; earned a bachelor's degree in Education Science from Quanzhou Physical Culture Institute in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; a master's degree in Business Administration from Thammasat University; attended the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford University, California, USA, in 1988; completed the Top Management Seminar on Japanese Business (Tops-v) at The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) in Japan; graduated from the 2nd class of the National Defence College; studied at Harvard University, USA; and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Home Economics from the Faculty of Education, Ramkhamhaeng University.
He began his career in 1966 as head of the sales promotion department at Lion Toothpaste Company Thailand Limited; served as chairman of President Rice Products Public Company Limited; deputy managing director of Far East Advertising Company Limited in 1978; vice chairman of Northern Technology Company Limited; vice chairman of Sanko Machinery (Thailand) Company Limited; vice chairman of President Interfoods Company Limited; chairman of Thai O.P.P. Public Company Limited; and managing director of Thai President Foods Public Company Limited.
Most recently, he held the position of chief executive officer of Thai President Foods Public Company Limited, the producer of “Mama,” until his peaceful passing at age 87.