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CP's Dhanin still the richest
Dhanin Chearavanont has retained his status as Thailand's richest man for the third year with an estimated net worth of US$9 billion (281.9 billion baht) in Forbes magazine's 2012 "Thailand 40 Richest" ranking.
The collective wealth of the 40 richest residents of Thailand was up by more than 20% for a second straight year. This growth is giving some of the country's super-rich the wherewithal to seek expansion in Southeast Asia and beyond, wrote Forbes contributor Tatiana Serafin.
Mr Dhanin, 73, is the chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, an agribusiness, retail and telecoms conglomerate that is also the oldest and largest foreign investor in China.
The CP chief is now looking for more acquisitions beyond Asia. "He has stated his interest in the likes of France’s Carrefour and the United States' Smithfield Foods," wrote Ms Serafin
Others expanding abroad include Kraisorn Chansiri (25th), whose Thai Union Frozen Plc is already the world's biggest tuna company; Indorama Ventures chief Aloke Lohia (8th), who is starting one of the first polyethyleneterephthalate businesses in Africa; and William Heinecke (24th) whose hospitality company, Minor International, recently opened two hotels in Abu Dhabi and Bali, according to Forbes.
Coming a distant second on the overall Thailand rich list was the Chirathivat family, with a net worth of $6.9 billion (216.14 billion baht), up $2.6 billion year-on-year, as they continue to expand their Central retail empire. The family is also the major stock holder in Post Publishing.
Close on the family's heels was Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, with $6.2 billion. The 68-year-old tycoon recently was locked in a battle with the Dutch brewer Heineken for control of Asia Pacific Breweries, the maker of Tiger beer, a move seen as brilliant on his part. By forcing Heineken to increase its offer for APB, he stands to turn a handsome profit on his recently acquired shares.
Two newcomers on the list were Chalerm Harnphanich (33rd), who created a $285-million fortune with his Bangkok Chain Hospital; and lawyer Wichai Thongtang (20th), who benefits from a 50% surge in the share price of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, the country's biggest hospital operator.
Top gainers include Krit Ratanarak of Bank of Ayudhya and TV Channel 7 (fifth); the Chirathivats (second); and Boonchai Bencharongkul (13th), the founder of Total Access Communication (DTAC).
Of note, the politically divisive Thaksin Shinawatra fell in his ranking to 23rd from 19th last year although his net worth remains the same at $600 million.
Conspicuous by their absence from this year's list are Wit Viriyaprapaikit of Sahaviriya Steel; Nijaporn Charanachitta of The Oriental Hotel; Premchai Karnasuta of the construction firm Italian-Thai Development, and Virot Thanalongkorn of the lingerie contract manufacturer Sabina.
As the cutoff this year was $200 million, the four failed to make it to the list mainly due to the price slump of their shares.
