Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya dies aged 89 Chaleo Yoovidhya, one of Thailand's richest man, died of natural causes on Saturday, Thai state television broadcaster MCOT said. Mr Chaleo founded T.C. Pharmaceuticals. In the 1970s, it formulated an energy drink prototype called Krathing Daeng, or Red Bull in English. It was popular among Thai truck drivers and laborers. Mr Chaleo then co-founded a company in 1984 with an Austrian partner who helped turn Red Bull into a global brand. Forbes magazine has ranked Mr Chaleo among the richest men in the world, with assets estimated to be worth several billion dollars. His eldest son Chalerm Yoovidhya runs the company as well as the family-owned wine business, Siam Winery.