[Snweyuag]

Exactly agree with this "Money can't buy happiness ”.
By my opinion everybody can be the richest by not be victim of money .We just have to know how to lives with enough.

[Knillagrarp]

I would rather be miserable with a lot of money, than miserable with little money. Well, you've evidently achieved your goal then...or have you???

[ephennaCypota]

I'm surprised that we don't see you on the list there Paul.

[ResuNezily]

Sriiram, when reading your posts, I keep a dictionary close by.

what for lenss ?

for sriram is a gibberish pedantic crap......



and funny enough, while we are still on the subject......some people are so poor, the only thing they have left is money.......

[AccusaJalsBub]

Yes, number 16 does appear to be a farang - but he's also been a Thai citizen since 1991, err, better make that 2534. I really don't know anything about him, but I just found this.

Business-in-Asia: You note several times in your book that you consider Thailand to be one of the best places in the world to invest and do business. You also write at many points about your respect for the Thai people both working with you and as a whole. I note also that you have become a Thai citizen which further demonstrates your commitment to Thailand. Can you explain why you see Thailand as such a good place to invest, do business, live and work?

Mr. Heinecke: Thailand has many strengths but I think His Majesty The King, the world’s longest reigning monarch, has brought tremendous stability to Thailand and made it a truly great country both in which to live and to work. His Majesty is a great example and inspiration to all Thai citizens and he is someone for whom I have enormous respect. I am very proud to be a Thai citizen.

[Snweyuag]

Nobody can’t buy true love, good friend,warm family and real happiness.

[Caursedus]

I would rather be miserable with a lot of money, than miserable with little money.

[Tjfyojlg]

​40 richest Thais have combined $20 billion​
Bangkok Post, 18th July 2006

Thailand's 40 richest business figures have a combined net worth of US$20 billion, evenly split between old and new wealth, according to Forbes magazine.

Thailand's 40 Richest list, to be published in the July 24 edition of Forbes Asia, shows that at least a third of the country's super-rich are self-made entrepreneurs who built fortunes from scratch.

The list was compiled at a turbulent time for the country and its tycoons. Billionaire politician Thaksin Shinawatra, who ranks fourth, has faced unrelenting pressure for months over his family's sale of their 49.6% stake in Shin Corp tax-free to Singaporean investors.

Another mogul, Thai Beverage founder Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who topped the list at $3.2 billion in net worth, took his company public in Singapore after protesters objected to an alcohol company listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The second richest person on the list, Chaleo Yoovidhya created the formula for the popular energy drink Red Bull. With $2.7 billion, he owns a 49% share of the company. Mr Chaleo also owns TC Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Krating Daeng energy drinks for the Thai market, and holds a stake in Piyavate Hospital.

About half of Thailand's top 40 inherited their fortunes and often share them with extended families. Wanchai Chirathivat, the fifth richest at $1.2 billion, is one example. He chairs the Central Group, with interests in retailing, real estate, hotels and resorts. Its main business is the Central Retail Corp, with sales of $1.7 billion, being the country's largest retailer. Many family members work at Central and as many as 45 relatives share in the fortune.

Sixth on the list at $860 million, the Vongkusolkit family is seeing sweet returns as the Mitr Phol Sugar Corp celebrates its 50th anniversary. The country's largest producer and exporter of sugar is diversifying into biomass power and plans to operate two bioethanol fuel plants.

Media magnate Vichai Maleenont, the chairman of the BEC World media group, also has several family members operating the Maleenont group of companies. He oversees a collection of TV, radio, Internet and video-rental interests that have earned the family an estimated $475 million.

Somporn Jungrungreangkit is the only woman in the top 10. Ranked 10th with a net worth of $420 million, Ms Somporn took over the reins of Thai Summit, one of the country's largest auto-parts groups, after her husband's death in 2002. She now oversees more than a dozen companies as the group president. Her brother-in-law, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, is the acting deputy prime minister.

To compile the list, Forbes Asia looked at family shareholdings in public as well as private companies. Publicly traded fortunes were calculated using recent share prices and exchange rates. For private fortunes, it estimated what the firms and assets would be worth if they were public.

[Soassesaisp]

Firstly, Thailand is not a poor country it's just a poorly-managed one.

The word 'poverty' can be defined in many ways but in my opinion there is hardly any poverty in Thailand. This is often the excuse given by foreigners for underclass Thai girls who look for a rich Farang guy.

If poverty can be defined as lack of money to buy: a new mobile phone, second-hand motorbike, build a new kitchen, an MP3, lottery tickets and whiskey then there is a lot of that in Thailand!

If poverty is defined as lack of money to buy food, basic clothes or have a place to live then there is very little of that in Thailand.

Facts to back my case: Thailand is almost in 'full-employment' ie.... there is a job available for virtually everyone who is diligent enough to work. Even the most basic daily minimum wage in Thailand will buy you 3 meals a day even eating out in Bangkok! From that there is still enough left over to save (if you dont just blow the rest) to buy basic comforts.

No-one in Thailand starves!

[DownloadMan]

Nobody can’t buy true love, good friend,warm family and real happiness.

Now thats kinda true, But It will buy some damn good imitations tho, some so good that you can't tell it from the real thing.

Yes Steve, that is exactly what is happening here, But there seems to be no lack of whiskey for those that want it.

[DownloadMan]

Must be, from his expenditures I would say it is he who never reaches his wallet..

[enasseneiff]

money isnt everything u know.

[Caursedus]

He always sounds miserable

Some times it can be a lot of fun being miserable

[Snitiendumurn]

Some times it can be a lot of fun being miserable I think that's a really good point, Paul! I think a lot of people fall into that category!