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What is surprising is how many billionaires in the world have turned as charitable as Gates.

Gates founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975 and through the past decades, has built up the small company into a global empire. After its listing in 1980s, Microsoft loaded him with tens of millions of dollars in Microsoft stock. But while some billionaires think only of splurging on jet planes or other exotic toys, Gates established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 1994. The couple, worth an estimated US$58 billion (Bt1.9 trillion), mainly in Microsoft stock, say they intend to give away 95 per cent of their fortune.

Since its creation, the foundation has donated more than $16 billion in aid, investing mainly in health and development in low-income countries and in education in the United States. On average the foundation gives out $1.5 to$2 billion dollars each year.

Joining Gates' charitable crusade was Warren Buffett who promised in 2006 to give 10 million B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, representing around $40 billion.

It seems their course is inspiring many in the US.  Agence France-Presse reported recently that last year, Americans gave a record $306.4 billion to charitable causes, an increase of 3.9 per cent for the year, despite economic uncertainty.

The overall total, up one per cent when adjusted for inflation, also represents 2.1 per cent of US gross domestic product, according to an annual survey by Giving USA Foundation and the Centre on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Individual giving, the mainstay of fundraising and charity, increased 2.7 per cent to an estimated $229 billion, while corporate gifts, closely tied to corporate profits, rose 1.9 per cent to $15.69 billion.

Though one third went to religious organisations, strong growth was also seen in contributions to international organisations that provide relief and development aid. Donations rose 16.1 per cent to $13.22 billion amid increased awareness of global issues, especially among young people, the study authors noted.

Unfortunately, no agency has compiled data on donations in Thailand, a country also spooked by a sluggish economy and high inflation. The Bank of Thailand is now afraid it will need to raise rates to counter inflation, or low returns from savings could encourage more spending which would further raise inflation.

The BOT may not be especially concerned if more people, bothered by real negative returns, channel their savings to charitable purposes. At least, the savings would be depleted for good deeds, not to fill their houses with new gadgets and cars.