Atlanta Magazine Remembering Tamarind founder Charlie Niyomkul, who never met a stranger The Thai restaurateur died earlier this month at age 70 3 From left: Jeda Niyomkul, DeeDee Niyomkul, Aran Downes, Charlie Niyomkul, Nan Niyomkul, Deklan Downes, Jedi Niyomkul The founder of Tamarind Restaurant Group, Supichai “Charlie” Niyomkul, died on April 5 at age 70 due to complications from Covid-19. He is remembered for his endless smile, his dedication to his family, and the popular Thai restaurants he leaves behind. Widely credited for introducing Thai fine dining to Atlanta, Niyomkul immigrated to the U.S. in 1971, working his way from bartender to server and even riverboat captain in New York City. He and his wife, Nantha “Nan” Niyomkul, opened their first restaurant, Tamarind Thai Cuisine, nearly 20 years later on the Upper East Side, attracting celebrity regulars like Brooke Shields and Sidney Poitier.