RD: Your mother Connie once told me that the way you decompress is by going on road trips, driving one of your many classic cars that you have spread around the world. How many cars do you own currently, do you have a favorite and what country is it in?
BH: Yes, correct. I have around 33 cars in Europe and USA. My favorite is an LwB Ferrari California Spyder, 1956.
RD: As a follow up, do you still own Clint Eastwood’ s Ferrari and are there any cars that you are currently pursuing?
BH: A collector will always keep one eye open for any reasonable new purchases and yes I still have Clint’ s Ferrari.
RD: Speaking of Connie, what values did she and your dad Roy instill in you as you were growing up that you feel helped propel you to where you are today?
BH: Persistence and never giving up on my dreams and passions.
RD: As any self-respecting Billionaire would, in addition to
multiple homes, jets, luxury and classic cars, you also have boats, A Major Affair that’ s 30 metres and A Minor Affair which is 20 metres. With your intensely busy schedule do you get to slip on your deck shoes very often and do you see any bigger purchases on the horizon?
BH: Whenever I can. Over last Songkran, I was with the family sailing in the Andaman Islands.
RD: A keen advocate of corporate social responsibility, you and your family established the Roy Heinecke Foundation, supporting underprivileged children’ s education in Thailand and to date have sponsored the education for thousands of students. You also have a profound interest in looking after Thailand’ s national symbol the elephant. You launched the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, and have, for the last fourteen years, put on and hosted The King’ s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, a charity event that has raised millions of dollars for the betterment of elephants. Why did you choose elephants as a cause and can you tell us about Founder’ s Day?
BH: Having lived in Thailand for many years, Thai culture is very close to my heart, and elephants are one of the greatest enduring symbols of this beautiful country. I have a deep respect for these beautiful creatures, and through GTAEF and the Elephant Camp at Anantara Golden Triangle, we’ re playing a vital role in their protection, as well as helping to create a better environment for future generations to enjoy these‘ gentle giants’.
On my birthday, June 4th, my employees used to bring me gifts and flowers every year. Whilst I appreciated their kind generosity, I strongly felt they would be better spending their money to do something more useful for others. So, we came up with a policy of no birthday gifts, but all Minor Employees, from Executives to the maids, would instead need to go and do something productive to help the community. This is how Minor Founder’ s Day came about. It is now known as a day of good deeds where staff from Australia to Zambia go out to help give something back to the local communities.
Bill with Sheikh Salah al Belawi signing for the new Anantara Jeddah Resort, the first Anantara in Saudi Arabia
70 HOT Magazine