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Published on March 7, 2008

In the No 2 slot is Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim, reflecting the increasing prominence of emerging-markets wealth on the world stage. Slim, who was listed as the world's second-richest man by Forbes last year, pushed Gates into third place, Dow Jones Newwires quoted Forbes as saying.

Buffett, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, was worth an estimated US$62 billion (Bt1.96 trillion) as of February 11, up $10 billion from last year.

As for Thailand's wealthiest persons, the No 1 slot went to Chaleo Yoovidhya, ranked 260th on the Forbes global list. Aged 76, Chaleo, founder of Red Bull energy drink conglomerate, had a total wealth estimated at around $4 billion.

For billionaires with publicly-traded fortunes, their net worths were calculated using share prices and exchange rates on February 11, 2008.

Next was Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, the liquor tycoon, ranked 307th on the Forbes 2008 list. Aged 63, Charoen's wealth was estimated to be worth $3.5 billion, with sprawling interests in beverage, property/hotel, technology and other sectors.

According to Forbes, Thailand's third wealthiest was Dhanin Chearavanont, founder of Charoen Pokphand Group, which has a diversified range of business interests covering agricultural, telecom, broadcasting and other sectors.

Dhanin, 68, was ranked 897th on the Forbes list, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion.

In 2007, Dhanin was ranked 390th, with a net worth of $2.4 billion, while Charoen was in the 264th slot with $3.4 billion, and Chaleo ranked 279th with $3.1 billion.

Chaleo, the founder of TC Pharmaceuticals, producer of Red Bull (or Krating Daeng), set up a joint venture with Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz two decades ago to market Red Bull around the world.

Today, it's one of the world's leading energy drink brands, with annual sales of around $4.4 billion. Chaleo and Mateschitz each own 49 per cent of the venture.

The Nation,

Dow Jones Newswires