Dhanin Chearavanont has retained his status as Thailand's richest man for the third year in a row, with an estimated net worth of US$9 billion (282 billion baht) in Forbes magazine's "Thailand 40 Richest 2012" rankings released on Wednesday.
The 40 richest Thai people had a combined estimated net worth of $55 billion, which looks well set to grow further in the coming years on the back of aggressive Asean expansions.
"Their collective wealth is up by better than 20% for a second straight year, giving some the wherewithal to seek expansions in Southeast Asia and beyond," wrote Forbes contributor Tatiana Serafin.
Mr Dhanin, the 73-year-old agribusiness and retail tycoon, maintained his lead with an estimated net worth of $9 billion.
He was also named Forbes Asia's Businessman of the Year for his interests in China.
"He's stated his interest in the likes of France's Carrefour and the US's Smithfield Foods," wrote Ms Serafin.
Others eyeing foreign expansions include Kraisorn Chansiri (the 25th richest), whose Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) is on a foreign-acquisition spree; Aloke Lohia (8th) of Indorama Ventures (IVL), who is starting one of the first polyethylene terephthalate businesses in Africa; and William Heinecke (24th) whose hospitality company, Minor International (MINT), recently opened hotels in Abu Dhabi and Bali.
Coming at a distant second is the Chirathivat family, with a net worth of $6.9 billion (217 billion baht), up by $2.6 billion from last year, as they continue to expand their retail empire.
Close on the family's heels is Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, with $6.2 billion (195 billion baht).
The 68-year-old liquor tycoon is locked in a battle with the Dutch brewer Heineken for control of Asia Pacific Breweries.
"[It is] no risk for [Mr Charoen], as the worst that would happen is he would sell back the shares to Heineken at the price he bought them for," said Lim Jit Soon, an analyst at Nomura Securities.
Two newcomers have been added to the list _ Chalerm Harnphanich (33rd), who created a $285-million fortune with his Bangkok Chain Hospital Co (BCH), and Wichai Thongtang (20th), who benefited from a 50% surge in the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH) share price.
Other top gainers included Krit Ratanarak (5th) of Channel 7 operator Bangkok Broadcasting & TV and Boonchai Bencharongkul (13th) of Total Access Communication (DTAC).
Thaksin Shinawatra fell to 23rd place despite his net worth remaining at $600 million.
Conspicuous by their absence are Wit Viriyaprapaikit of Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI), Nijaporn Charanachitta of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MANRIN), Premchai Karnasuta of the construction firm Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and Virot Thanalongkorn of the lingerie contract manufacturer Sabina.
On the web: www.forbes.com/thailand-billionaires/list
