SouthEast Asia's richest people

[gobbledonk]

My sole interest in these guys is that they can afford to keep a comfortable home in pretty much every city on earth, and fly from one to the other at will. Bastards. ::

 

Malaysians and Indonesians seem to be doing very well for themselves, at least on the strength of this. Can we get our billion dollars back from the tsunami relief fund, Mr Howard ?

 

At 45, Olivia Lum may be a little over-the-hill for many of you, but I'll bet she has a nice Lear jet.

 

SE Asias Rich List

It's been a good year for Southeast Asia's 40 richest businesspeople. In Forbes Asia's second annual ranking, three-fourths saw their fortunes rise, thanks to improving markets and economies across the region.

 

Those who specialise in commodities such as oil, palm and timber strongly benefited from rising demand.

 

Malaysian Robert Kuok, who has invested more than $US5 billion ($6.6 billion) in China, is ranked number one again, and is worth $US5.3 billion ($7 billion). Number two Ananda Krishnan, a fellow Malaysian, was the year's biggest gainer, up $US1.6 billion ($2.1 billion).

 

Southeast Asia is home to 22 billionaires, up from 18 last year. Four new self-made tycoons appear among the 40 elite. The richest new entrant is Thai liquor baron Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, whose estimated $US3 billion ($3.9 billion) fortune has become more transparent lately as he tries to bring his company public.

 

No.1 Robert Kuok, Malaysia

No.2 Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia

No.3 Kwek Leng Beng, Singapore

No.4 Ng Teng Fong, Malaysia

No.5 Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

 

Two newcomers hail from Indonesia: Arifin Panigoro, who founded Medco Energi, one of the nation's largest energy groups, and Boenjamin Setiawan, who runs one of its biggest pharmaceutical companies.

 

Singaporean Olivia Lum, age 45, debuts at number 39 as the list's youngest, and only female, member. A net worth of $US210 million ($276 million) was required to make the ranks.

 

Three people from last year's list missed the cut, including Sim Wong Hoo, whose Creative Technology's iPod-type player lost ground to Apple's popular iPod. Also absent is Chaijudh Karnasuta, who died last November.

 

Unlike Forbes' Billionaires list, this regional ranking has been broadened to include a head of state, Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and family fortunes like the one belonging to Vanchai Chirathivat and his relatives.

 

For people with publicly traded fortunes, net worths were calculated using current share prices and exchange rates. For privately held fortunes we estimated what companies would be worth if they were public.

 

News Ltd.

[samak]

and those are Thailand richest:

this is Thailand richest, "Mr. Beer Chang" Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi:

on 11. place of 40 richest in SEA is "Mr. Red Bull/Kratingdaeng" Chaleo Yoovidhya, Thaland's second richest

number 17 is Dhanin Chearavanont, Boss of Charoen Phokphand Group (major player in Agro business)

number 17 is Thaksin, to post a photo would be superfluous!

[Guest]

If only we were taught at school more about the lives of those men and less about Jeanne the life torch and Charles the Gogaul, perhaps we'd get just an idea on the issues related to grossing several billions dollars. Breathtaking success if you ask me!

[chilli13]

good point - maybe the coming ex-PM will start a biz school

[samak]

i think those 3 guys get quite some coverage in case studies at business schools and are mentioned as successful examples in several business books.

[Guest]

Samak,

 

That's quite likely, I meant I hoped we were taught more about business in secondary and high school. Can't recall a single study of a succesful business person and I'm afraid their achievement is not well recognised by the teachers in those levels, in France at least, where making money is not such a respected value.

 

Ib,

 

I think Thaksin is already involved in some BBAs in Thailand. Heard or saw ads for his campus -outside BKK I think