Thailand, the land of smiles has seemed more like the land of uncertainty lately. It has had to deal with not just the global economic slowdown but also self-inflicted political instability that has seen five prime ministers in three years. But that probably, has no impact to Thailand elite list of richest peoples.#1 Chaleo Yoovidhya, NET WORTH $4 billion, AGE 77, MARITAL STATUS Married, 5 children
Chaleo Yoovidhya owns 49% of $4.8 billion (sales) Red Bull, energy drink giant he cofounded with an Austrian marketing whiz. Launched new all-natural Red Bull Cola in 2008, helping boost sales 8%. Starting to sell Energy Shots, a concentrated, noncarbonated mini version of original Red Bull.
#2 Dhanin Chearavanont, NET WORTH $3 billion, AGE 70, MARITAL STATUS Married, 5 children
Dhanin Chearavanont heads agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, in which he and 3 older brothers own 13% apiece. Stocks of its CP All, which operates 5,000 7-Eleven stores in Thailand, and CP Foods, one of Asia's biggest food producers, gained in past year. Opened feed mill in Russia in June. Fortune up in part because of new information.
#3 Chirathivat family, NET WORTH $2.9 billion
Descendants of Central Group's founder, Tiang Chirathivat, including families of his 3 wives and 25 children, share fortune largely derived from ownership of Central Retail and 60% stake in listed developer, Central Pattana, which is opening 3 malls in 2009. Tiang's son Wanchai, 82, is Central's chairman.
#4 Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, NET WORTH $2.8 billion, AGE 65. MARITAL STATUS Married, 5 children
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is the founder of Thai Beverage, maker of top-selling Chang beer, whiskey; has 18 distilleries, 3 breweries in Thailand, 5 whiskey distilleries in Scotland. Runs large property developer TCC Land, owner of Bangkok's tech-mall Pantip Plaza, Hotel Plaza Athénée New York, other hotels in Asia plus new one in New Zealand.
#5 Krit Ratanarak, NET WORTH $1.2 billion, AGE 63, MARITAL STATUS Divorced, 1 child
Scion of Ratanarak family runs its Bangkok Broadcasting & TV, which operates Channel 7. Recently filed suit in California against a company that allegedly copied its programming to sell to Thais living in U.S. Also has stakes in Bank of Ayudhaya and Siam City Cement. Shares fortune with family, including mom, son, 5 sisters.
#6 Chamnong Bhirombhakdi, NET WORTH $975 million, AGE 81, MARITAL STATUS Married, 3 children
Chamnong Bhirombhakdi is the Chairman of Boon Rawd Brewery, country's oldest, founded by late father. Sells Singha, Thai, Leo beer brands; sales of its nonalcoholic drinks like soda water, iced tea holding up. Company lambasted Democratic Party over recent 27% tax hike on beer. Shares fortune with families of 2 late brothers.
#7 Praneetsilpa Vacharaphol, NET WORTH $940 million, AGE 77, MARITAL STATUS Widowed, 4 children
Family's newspaper, Thai Rath, made international headlines in June when it published photos of the dead body of American actor David Carradine, who died in Thailand. Shares fortune with son Saravut, editor-in-chief, and daughter Yinglak, president.
#8 Isara Vongkusolkit, NET WORTH $900 million, AGE 61, MARITAL STATUS NA
Chairman of Mitr Phol Sugar, Thailand's largest sugar producer; second largest in China; also involved in ethanol, particleboard production, biomass power. He and 6 siblings own business through Mid-Siam Sugar. Brother Chanin is chief executive of coal producer Banpu; brother Vitoon chairs warehousing firm United Standard Terminal.
#9 Vichai Maleenont, NET WORTH $650 million, AGE 91, MARITAL STATUS Married, 7 children
BEC World, media group that Vichai cofounded and chairs, suffering from drop in ad sales; stock price down a fourth from last year, but company expecting third-quarter turnaround. Has 23 subsidiaries involved in television and radio broadcasting, Internet. Transferred shares to his children.
#10 Anant Asavabhokin, NET WORTH $500 million, AGE 59, MARITAL STATUS Married, 3 children
He and his mother founded real estate developer Land & Houses in 1973; now nation's largest property developer, catering to middle class.
NOTE: The net fortunes of the above mentioned named was extracted from year 2009 Forbes's list.
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