Sarath again richest shareholder, worth over B200bn

Sarath Ratanavadi, chief executive of Gulf Energy Development plc (GULF), is the richest shareholder in the Thai capital market for the fourth consecutive year, with shares worth 219 billion baht.

He was placed on the top of the ranking by Money & Banking magazine and the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University. They looked at the wealth of shareholders as of Sept 30.

Mr Sarath's share wealth rose by 26.51% from last year as he held a 35% stake in GULF. It is the first time the richest Thai shareholder's wealth has exceeded 200 billion baht.

Second was Panicha Dau, the biggest shareholder of PSG Corporation, formerly known as T Engineering Co, a construction company that builds factories, warehouses, office buildings, department stores, residential buildings, hospitals and public utilities, and does machine installation.

She held an 80% stake in PSG and her shareholdings were worth 81.63 billion baht.

The third richest shareholder was Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth with stocks worth 62.73 billion baht. He held a 12.77% stake in Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) and an 11.38% shareholding in Bangkok Airways.

In fourth place was Niti Osathanugrah, of Osotspa, with 58.12 billion baht.

Fifth ranked was Somphote Ahunai, chief executive of Energy Absolute, with shares worth 36.37 billion baht and an 11.05% stake in the energy company.

The third, fourth and fifth richest people all dropped down one place from last year.