Thailand's richest tycoons grew markedly wealthier over the past year, as a rallying stock market and a firmer economy lifted the combined fortune of the country's 50 richest people by 10 percent to 187 billion dollars. The gains were broad, with two thirds of those on the list adding to their wealth.
At the top, for a third year running, sat Chalerm Yoovidhya and his family, the Thai co owners of the Red Bull energy drink empire, with a fortune of 47 billion dollars. Red Bull remains a formidable cash engine, with annual revenue rising more than 8 percent to 12.2 billion euros, or about 13.9 billion dollars, in 2025.
Old money at the top
The upper ranks were dominated by Thailand's established business dynasties. The Chearavanont brothers, whose Charoen Pokphand group spans food, retail and telecoms, held second place with 36.6 billion dollars. Sarath Ratanavadi, whose interests run across energy and telecoms, came third with 17.6 billion dollars.
Behind them, the Chirathivat family of the Central retail empire was worth 11.7 billion dollars, and property and drinks magnate Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi rounded out the top five with 11.5 billion dollars. Together the five families show how much of Thailand's wealth still sits with a handful of long established groups spanning consumer goods, retail, energy and real estate.
What drove the gains
The main engine was the stock market. A rally on the Thai exchange fattened the paper value of the tycoons' listed holdings, while the wider economy grew 2.4 percent in 2025 on the back of stronger domestic spending and rising exports. The single biggest gainer in dollar terms was Sarath Ratanavadi, whose fortune swelled by 5.6 billion dollars.
A newer theme also showed up on the list. The global scramble to build artificial intelligence infrastructure has driven demand for industrial land and data centres, lifting Jareeporn Jarukornsakul of developer WHA, whose wealth jumped 69 percent to 1.25 billion dollars. Two familiar names returned to the ranking as well, Bancha Ongkosit of KCE Electronics and Gunkul Dhumrongpiyawut of Gunkul Engineering.
A higher bar to make the cut
The rising tide also raised the entry price. It took a net worth of 555 million dollars to make this year's list, up from 420 million dollars a year earlier, a sign of how much fortunes across the board have grown. In all, 33 of the 50 tycoons were richer than the year before.
The picture that emerges is of a wealthy elite riding the same forces lifting the broader market. For Thailand, whose economy has lagged some of its faster growing neighbours, the swelling fortunes at the top reflect optimism among investors even as questions linger over how evenly the gains are spread. As long as the market holds its footing and exports keep flowing, the country's richest look set to keep climbing.
