This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ranking of Thailand's stock market billionaires, conducted by the Banking and Finance Journal in collaboration with faculty members from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University. The ranking is based on individual shareholders in the country who hold at least 0.5% of shares, according to the latest shareholder register before September 30, 2018.

 

According to the December 2018 issue of the Banking and Finance Journal, Dr. Prasert Prasartthong-Osoth, or Doctor Sert, the CEO of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, the owner of Bangkok Hospital Group, has claimed the title of Thailand's stock market billionaire for 2018, marking his sixth consecutive year at the top. This year, Doctor Sert holds the highest value of shares, totaling 77,129.32 million baht, an increase of 13,602.02 million baht or 21.41%.

 

Doctor Sert's shareholdings include four companies: Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), where he is the largest shareholder with 18.47% worth 73,786.86 million baht; Bangkok Airways (BA) with 10.61%, valued at 2,985.22 million baht; Nontavej Hospital (NTV) with 0.79%, valued at 75.48 million baht; and Samui Airport Real Estate Investment Fund (SPF) with 24.60%, valued at 281.75 million baht.

 

This year's second billionaire is Saranat Ratanawadee, the CEO and Director of Gulf Energy Development (GULF), who enters the list of Thailand's stock market billionaires for the first time after bringing GULF shares to trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on December 6, 2017. On the first trading day, GULF shares surged to a high of 59.50 baht from the initial public offering (IPO) price of 45 baht per share, an increase of 14.50 baht or 32.22%. The share price continued to rise, reaching 76.25 baht as of September 30, 2018, a total increase of 69.44%.

 

This resulted in Saranat, who holds 35.44% of GULF shares, having a total share value of 57,645 million baht, making him the second richest stock market billionaire of 2018. GULF shares represent the highest IPO value in 11 years, with a total value of nearly 24 billion baht, and it also received the Best Deal of the Year Award at the SET Awards 2018.

 

The third billionaire is Somphote Ahunai, the owner of Energy Absolute (EA), a business involved in biodiesel and solar power generation, who retains his position as the third richest stock market billionaire for another year, with a total share value of 42,209.41 million baht, an increase of 8,940.11 million baht or 26.87%. This is due to the increase in EA share price, which Somphote holds 23.44% of, rising by 10 baht or 26.14%, resulting in a total share value of 42,191.56 million baht. When combined with his 0.92% stake in Eternal Energy (EE), valued at 17.85 million baht, Somphote's wealth increased by over 8 billion baht this year.

 

The fourth billionaire is Chuchart Phet-Amphai, the owner of Muang Thai Capital (MTC), who has risen from eighth place last year, holding shares worth a total of 35,392.22 million baht, an increase of 9,664.53 million baht or 37.56%. In addition to MTC, where he holds 33.96% valued at 34,742.72 million baht, he also holds shares in FN Factory Outlet (FN), Interlink Telecom (ITEL), Solartron (SOLAR), and T.A.C. Consumer (TACC), continuing from last year, and this year he has increased his holdings in Country Group Development (CGD) and Principal Capital (PRINC).

 

Dawnapa Phet-Amphai has risen to become the fifth richest stock market billionaire from ninth place last year, holding 33.96% of MTC shares valued at 34,740 million baht, an increase of 9,360 million baht or 36.88%.

 

The sixth billionaire is Anan Asavapokin, the Chairman and Managing Director of Land and Houses, who has moved up from seventh place last year, holding shares worth a total of 32,900.35 million baht, an increase of 4,580.30 million baht or 16.17%. This includes 23.93% of Land and Houses (LH) valued at 32,890 million baht and 1.36% of Mandarin Hotel (MANRIN) valued at 10.35 million baht.

 

The seventh billionaire is Niti Osathanugrah, a major investor and heir to the Osotspa empire, who has dropped from fifth place last year. Although Niti's ranking has decreased this year, the value of his investment portfolio has still increased from last year, holding shares in 10 companies worth a total of 31,964.71 million baht, an increase of 3,066.86 million baht or 10.61%.

 

The eighth billionaire is Phichai Potharamik, the sole heir of former Commerce Minister Adisai Potharamik, the founder of Jasmine International (JAS), who has dropped from second place last year, holding shares worth a total of 28,919.28 million baht, a decrease of 15,163.65 million baht or 34.40%.

 

The decrease in Phichai's wealth this year is due to reducing his stake in JAS to 55.80% from 66.13% last year, a decrease of 10.33%, totaling 23,898.62 million baht, and reducing his stake in Mono Technology (MONO) by 6%, leaving him with 64.20% valued at 5,080.67 million baht. Additionally, the share prices of both companies have also decreased from last year.

 

The ninth billionaire is Kiri Kanjanapas, the Chairman of BTS Group Holdings (BTS), who has dropped from sixth place last year, with a total share value of 28,372 million baht, a decrease of 518.44 million baht or 1.79%. This includes 24.41% of BTS shares valued at 26,887.83 million baht, BTS Growth Infrastructure Fund (BTSGIF) at 1.58% valued at 1,109.61 million baht, and VGI Global Media (VGI) at 0.55% valued at 374.55 million baht.

 

The tenth billionaire is Thongma Vijitpongpun, the CEO and Managing Director of Pruksa Real Estate (PSH), who has dropped from fourth place last year, with a total share value of 28,011.68 million baht, a decrease of 3,025.71 million baht or 9.75%. This is due to the PSH shares held by Thongma at 60.04% decreasing by 9.75%, totaling 27,857.01 million baht. He also holds 0.96% of Italian-Thai Development (ITD) valued at 154.67 million baht.

 

The champion family of Thailand's stock market billionaires for 2018 is the Prasartthong-Osoth family, marking their fourth consecutive year as the top family. This year, the family collectively holds shares worth over 100 billion baht for the first time in the history of Thailand's stock market billionaires. The six family members include Dr. Prasert Prasartthong-Osoth and five heirs: Phutthipong, Somruthai, Ariya, Promaporn, and Police Lieutenant General Wisanu, holding shares worth a total of 104,530.22 million baht, an increase of 8,230.94 million baht or 8.55%.

 

The second richest family this year is the Phet-Amphai family, with three family members owning Muang Thai Capital (MTC): Chuchart Phet-Amphai, Dawnapa Phet-Amphai, and Sukasit Phet-Amphai, holding shares worth a total of 70,592.91 million baht, an increase of 18,951.94 million baht or 36.70%.

 

The third richest family is the Jirathiwat family, with 40 family members collectively holding shares worth 70,382.03 million baht, an increase of 644.05 million baht or 0.92%.

 

In addition to entering the list of new stock market billionaires this year, Saranat Ratanawadee has also led the Ratanawadee family into the fourth position among billionaire families, holding shares worth a total of 57,645 million baht. The fifth billionaire family is the Ahunai family, with four family members: Somphote, Supaporn, Polsith, and Peerapol, holding shares worth a total of 45,421.41 million baht, an increase of 8,825.06 million baht or 24.11%.

 

Thank you for the information from thaipublica.org