Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, founder of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc (BGH) and Bangkok Airways Plc (BA), has been ranked the richest businessman on the Thai stock market for the second consecutive year, with publicly listed shares worth 57.91 billion baht, up 58.24% from the previous year.
The annual ranking, conducted by Money & Banking magazine and Chulalongkorn University's economics faculty, used share valuations on Sept 30.
As the largest shareholder of BGH, the operator of Bangkok, Samitivej, BNH and Phyathai hospitals, Dr Prasert had a 20.19% stake worth 57.87 billion baht. He also owned a 0.79% stake in Nonthavej Hospital Plc (NTV) worth 42.77 million baht.
His holdings calculation did not include those in BA, which debuted on the SET after the ranking was compiled.
Thongma Vijitpongpun, executive committee chairman and chief executive of Pruksa Real Estate Plc (PS) who fell to fifth last year, rebounded to second with his 54.59% stake worth 41.58 billion baht in PS, up 63.36% from 2013.
The gain was largely due to a higher valuation, as PS surged 75.64% year-on-year to 34.25 baht a share.
Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of BTS Group Holdings, slid to third this year from second in 2013 though his holdings rose by 14.55% to 39.20 billion baht. He owned 32.58% of BTS worth 38.81 billion baht, 0.6% in developer Sansiri Plc (SIRI) worth 129.92 million baht and 0.54% of media company VGI Global Media Plc (VGI) worth 258.46 million baht.
Somphote Ahunai, a former chief executive of Yuanta who turned to energy businesses under Energy Absolute Plc (EA), jumped from 10th last year to fourth. His major holding was 40.47% in EA worth 36.53 billion baht.
Land and Houses Plc chairman and chief executive Anant Asavabhokhin slipped one spot to fifth with 24.79 billion baht, down 3.7% from last year.
A new face in the top 10 was Hathai Siri Viriyakul with her 42.82% stake in sugar producer Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation Plc (KTIS) worth 18.68 billion baht, up 0.82% year-on-year.
For family stakes, the Chirathivat family maintained top billing with the wealth of 32 family members at 69.39 billion baht, up 3.9% from last year.
Second was the Prasarttong-Osoth family with 65.3 billion baht, up 55.26%.