According to Forbes, Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya has claimed the title of Thailand’s richest individual this year, with a net worth of $44.5 billion. He is followed by the Chearavanont brothers of the CP Group, whose combined wealth stands at $35.7 billion.
The combined wealth of Thailand’s top three families saw a significant increase, boosting the total to $170.5 billion—an over 11% rise, driven by notable gains among the wealthiest families.
Chalerm Yoovidhya’s fortune grew by $8.5 billion from last year, a 24% increase, largely fueled by nearly $13 billion in global Red Bull sales, amounting to almost 13 billion cans sold worldwide last year.
The Chearavanont brothers experienced a 23% increase in their net worth, reaching $35.7 billion. Meanwhile, energy and telecoms magnate Sarath Ratanavadi ascended from fifth to third position with a net worth of $12 billion (389 billion baht), marking a 30% increase from the previous year.
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, the 81-year-old tycoon behind TCC Group in beer, liquor, and property sectors, dropped one spot to fourth with a net worth of $10.5 billion (340 billion baht). Despite transferring some holdings to his five children in May, his wealth remains listed under his name as the group’s founder.
The Chirathivat family, predominantly invested in Central department stores and malls, ranked fifth with $8.6 billion (278 billion baht). Their wealth declined by 13% over the past year, reflecting challenges like subdued consumer sentiment impacting the retail industry.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was listed in 11th place with a net worth of $2.1 billion (68 billion baht).
Although the threshold for inclusion on the list was lowered from $550 million to $420 million in 2024, four individuals dropped off the ranking this year, Forbes noted.
A notable omission is renewable energy tycoon Somphote Ahunai, who has been a staple among Thailand’s wealthiest since 2013. His company, Energy Absolute, saw its shares plunge nearly 80% since the last valuation, following his resignation as CEO amid allegations of fraud by securities regulators relating to procurement deals from 2013 to 2015. He has denied the charges and stated his willingness to cooperate with authorities.
