Thailand's rich get richer. Well, some of them

Forbes just released its annual "Thailand’s 40 Richest" list and the usual fat cats are on there, with four newcomers joining the elite club this year.

For the third year in a row, Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya is the country’s wealthiest man. At 74, he has a net worth of US$4 billion, unchanged from last year. A fortune that big is certainly enough to “give you wings”. Wings in the form of multiple private jets, that is.  

Thailand’s most famous man in self-imposed exile, (or most famous man period), former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , may not be as rich as he was last year but he’s still in 16th place with a fortune of $390 million, down from last year's $400 million. Not bad for a man on the run.

Thaksin is one of 19 who lost money since Forbes released its 2008 list, along with hospitality heavyweight, Minor Corp’s William Heinecke, who dropped five places to 20 with $350 million -- $110 million less than he had in 2008. The American-born Thai citizen recently signed a deal to bring popular clothing brand Gap to Thailand next year.

And a warm welcome to Aloke Lohia (19th, $355 million), Worawit Weeraborwornpong (30th, with $165 million), Virot Thanalongkorn (35th, $130 million) and Pongsak Viddayakorn (36th, $125 million), who all made their debuts this year.

For the full list of Thailand’s 40 richest, head to Forbes.com.