Thailand’s rich get far richer in 2010 – Forbes

Despite weeks of political violence that disrupted economic life in Bangkok this year, the combined wealth of Thailand's 40 richest people increased by 46% from 2009, according to a study by Forbes magazine.
Dhanin Chearavanont, owner of Thailand's largest agribusiness conglomerate, Charoen Pokphand Group, is the country's richest man with net worth of $7 bln, according to the U.S. magazine, which said the top 40 were now worth $36.5 bln.
The report comes three months after the worst political violence in recent Thai history, with 91 people killed in clashes between troops and anti-government demonstrators.
The "red shirt" protesters, largely drawn from the rural and urban poor, complain they have no voice in a country where the richest 20% earn about 55% of the income and the poorest fifth take just 4%, according to the World Bank.
Three quarters of the tycoons on the Forbes Asia Thailand Rich List added to their fortunes thanks to a stock market that has boomed despite the unrest and a strong Thai currency.
Topping the list for the first time and the biggest gainer in dollar terms, 71-year-old Dhanin stepped up from second place last year to overtake Chaleo Yoovidhya, 78-year-old co-owner of energy drink company Red Bull.
Dhanin's wealth rose by $4 bln over the past year, far outpacing Chaleo, who added just $200 mln to $4.2 bln.
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, 66, founder of Thai Beverage Pcl, was ranked number three with $4.15 bln.
In a report in July, Forbes said Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the world's richest monarch in 2010 for the third year in a row with a fortune it put at $30 bln, but that includes the assets of the Crown Property Bureau.
The biggest gainer among the top 40 this year in percentage terms was Aloke Lohia, whose wealth soared 252% after he took polyester company Indorama Ventures Pcl public. Lohia, son of an Indian entrepreneur, was ranked sixth with $1.25 bln.
Perhaps a reflection of a Thai building boom, new faces on this year's list included Keeree Kanjananpas of property and construction firm BTS Group Holdings and Prateep Tangmatitham of real estate developer Supalai Pcl. (Source: Reuters Life!)