• 
• 
• 

The Maleenont family, which holds a majority stake in BEC World, the operator of TV Channel 3, was ranked the country's richest family for the eleventh consecutive year. The Shinawatra family was ranked as the 38th richest family, climbing from 48th place last year.

The top 100 Thai richest ranking for 2009 was surveyed by the magazine in cooperation with the Faculty of Commercial and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University, using shareholdings in listed companies on book registrations as of September 30. The survey found the total wealth of the group by this measure this year was up Bt56 billion from last year.

Anant is chairman and managing director of the high-end property developer Land and Houses. His wealth this year climbed to Bt15.97 billion, up 8.94 per cent from last year. Thongma Vijitpongpun, owner and executive of Preuksa Real Estate, also remained the second richest individual, for the fourth consecutive year. He held shares valued at Bt15.83 billion, up 64.91 per cent from last year.

The third-rank individual was Nithi Osathanugrah, with total holdings of Bt5.73 billion, up 31.13 per cent from last year. He climbed from fifth rank last year. In fourth place was Pravit Maleenont, holding shares worth Bt5.16 billion, up 6 per cent from last year.

Viroj Thanalongkorn, owner of the Sabina brand underwear producer Sabina Plc, climbed to the fifth place for individuals this year from his 15th place ranking last year. His shareholding was up 38.52 per cent on year to Bt4.36 billion this year.

Surprisingly, Worawit Weeraborwornpong, the major shareholder and vice chairman of Siamgas and Petrochemicals and also known as the "Bo Bae" wholesale market tycoon, was recorded as a new entry this year.

Ranked by family wealth, the Maleenonts had combined holdings of Bt25.87 billion, up 5.9 per cent from last year. The Asavabhokhins were ranked the second-richest family with wealth of Bt20.12 billion, surging 13.74 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Vijitpongpun family, founders of the low-end property developer Preuksa Real Estate, had total assets by the survey's accounting of Bt18.81 billion, up 64.89 per cent.

In fourth place was the Chirathivat family, owners of Central Group, with total shareholdings of Bt13.29 billion, up 21.7 per cent. The Chirathivats had the most family members of the companies in the survey, with about 25 family members included.

The Shinawatra family climbed from 48th last year to 38th this year with holdings of Bt588.81 million or 43 per cent higher than last year. Only Pinthongta Shinwatra, the oldest child of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Paetongtarn Shinwatra, the youngest child, were in the top 100 richest ranking this year. Paetongtarn was 78th while Pinthongta was 79th.