CrazyExpat Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 BANGKOK, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Despite being on the run, ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains among the richest persons in Thailand, according to the latest Forbes Asia Thailand Rich list. Thaksin remains at number 16 with a wealth of US$390 million, down from $400 million last year. He was ousted in a 2006 coup and convicted in absentia to two years in prison last October for violating conflict-of-interest laws, when his former wife, purchased land from the government. "Over three million Thais have signed a petition presented to Thailand's King requesting his pardon," the magazine said today, adding that Thaksin is among 19 on the list who saw their net worth decline this year. The 77-year-old beverage baron Chaleo Yoovidhya, well known for co-founding the energy drink Red Bull, is Thailand's wealthiest person for the third consecutive time, with net worth staying flat at US$4 billion during the year. In second place is Dhanin Chearavanont, head of agri-business conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, one of the world's biggest feed and poultry company who moved two rungs as his wealth soared by a billion dollars to US$3 billion. At number three are descendants of Central Group's founder, Tiang Chirathivat, including families of his three wives and 25 children, with their combined wealth having increased by US$100 million to US$2.9 billion. Other tycoons in the food and agriculture businesses also enjoyed gains in their net worth. Among them are sugar barons Isara Vongkusolkit of Mitr Phol Sugar at number eight (US$900 million) and Khon Kaen Sugar Industry's Nantha Chinthammit at 18th (US$360 million) as well as seafood tycoon Kraisorn Chansiri at 28th spot (US$175 million). Bucking the trend however, was Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi of Thai Beverage, who ranked fourth. His net worth fell to US$2.8 billion from US$3.9 billion last year. The combined wealth of Thailand's 40 richest also saw no change at US$25 billion, said Forbes. It added that the Kingdom's wealthiest have proven to be resilient despite the global economic downturn and the self-inflicted political instability that has seen five Prime Ministers in three years. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=442122 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaifan Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Thailand too would have a much healthier economy if he had been allowed to stay in charge. I don't care whether he did engage in some corruption (isn't it a qualification to be a Thai politician)there is no doubt the Thai economy was in a much stronger position under his control and he has demonstrated that he personally weathered the GFC so no doubt he would have steered Thailand through it too. He also had the support of the majority of Thai's it is just a pity that a minority of the so called elite had the power to overthrow him , purely because it was in their interest not the interests of Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucus7 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 During the years Thaksin was Prime Minister the world's economies were stronger, that certainly has nothing to do with Thaksin. The Thai economy and Thaksin's personal wealth are unrelated. You infer that corruption is acceptable, how much corruption is acceptable? How many assassinations were perpetrated during his war on drugs? Are you OK with that too? Ask Thai school teachers how they feel about his attempted changes to education. The list goes on.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 The majority of Thais are uneducated and really have no idea of or care about the corruption perpetrated by Thaksin and his cronies. The don't understand that his corrupt practices hurt them in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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