Forbes releases Thailand's 50 richest

Forbes magazine has revealed on its website Wednesday the net worth of Thailand's 50 richest totaling 84 billion U.S. dollars, equivalent to one fourth of the nation's GDP. On top of the list for the fourth straight year is Dhanin Chearavanont, the head of agribusiness Charoen Pokphand (CP). His wealth jumped 3.6 billion to 12.6 billion U.S. dollars this year. No.2 is the Chirathivat family, who owns the Central group, known for Central department stores. They had a net worth of 12.3 billion U.S. dollars, up 78 percent from 6.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2012, thanks to the strong gains in their stocks. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is on the third place with 10.6 billion U.S. dollars, up 71 percent from 6.2 billion U.S. dollars previously. He is president of Thai Beverage, the country's largest brewer whose shares were up three-fourths in past year. Moreover, Forbes also added that tourism is Thailand's No.1 source of foreign exchange and a growing part of the nation's GDP. In 2012, 22.3 million tourists visited Thailand, up 16 percent from 2011. Expectations for 2013 are even higher as MasterCard, in its 2013 Global Destinations Cities Index, posits that Bangkok will surpass London, Paris and New York as the most visited city this year, the magazine added.