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It's been a good year for Southeast Asia's 40 richest businesspeople. In Forbes Asia's second annual ranking, three-fourths saw their fortunes rise, thanks to improving markets and economies across the region.
Those who specialize in commodities such as oil, palm and timber strongly benefited from rising demand.
Malaysian Robert Kuok, who has invested more than $5 billion in China, is ranked number one again, worth $5.3 billion. Number two Ananda Krishnan, a fellow Malaysian, was the year's biggest gainer, up $1.6 billion.
Southeast Asia is home to 22 billionaires, up from 18 last year. Four new self-made tycoons appear among the 40 elite. The richest new entrant is Thai liquor baron Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, whose estimated $3 billion fortune has become more transparent lately as he tries to bring his company public.
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THE TOP 5 | |
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1 |
Robert Kuok, Malaysia |
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2 |
Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia |
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3 |
Kwek Leng Beng, Singapore |
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4 |
Ng Teng Fong, Singapore |
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5 |
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Thailand |
Two newcomers hail from Indonesia: Arifin Panigoro, who founded Medco Energi, one of the nation's largest energy groups, and Boenjamin Setiawan, who runs one of its biggest pharmaceutical companies. Singaporean Olivia Lum, age 45, debuts at number 39 as the list's youngest, and only female, member.
A net worth of $210 million was required to make the ranks. Three people from last year's list missed the cut, including Sim Wong Hoo, whose Creative Technology's iPod-type player lost ground to Apple's popular iPod. Also absent is Chaijudh Karnasuta, who died last November.
Unlike Forbes' Billionaires list, this regional ranking has been broadened to include a head of state, Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and family fortunes like the one belonging to Vanchai Chirathivat and his relatives.
For people with publicly traded fortunes, net worths were calculated using current share prices and exchange rates. For privately held fortunes we estimated what companies would be worth if they were public.
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| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Country | Age | Marital Status | Offspring |
| 1 | Robert Kuok | $5.3 billion | Malaysia | 82 | Married | 8 children |
| 2 | Ananda Krishnan | $5.1 billion | Malaysia | 67 | Married | 3 children |
| 3 | Kwek Leng Beng | $4 billion | Singapore | 64 | Married | 2 children |
| 4 | Ng Teng Fong | $3.2 billion | Singapore | 77 | Married | 2 children |
| 5 | Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi | $3 billion | Thailand | 60 | Married | 5 children |
| 6 | Lee Seng Wee | $2.7 billion | Singapore | 74 | -- | -- |
| 7 | Lim Goh Tong | $2.6 billion | Malaysia | 87 | Married | 6 children |
| 8 | Quek Leng Chan | $2.4 billion | Malaysia | 64 | Married | 3 children |
| 8 | Wee Cho Yaw | $2.4 billion | Singapore | 76 | Married | 5 children |
| 10 | R. Budi Hartono | $2.3 billion | Indonesia | 64 | -- | -- |
| 11 | Chaleo Yoovidhya | $2.2 billion | Thailand | 73 | Married | 5 children |
| 12 | Teh Hong Piow | $2.1 billion | Malaysia | 75 | Married | -- |
| 13 | Putera Sampoerna | $2 billion | Indonesia | 56 | Married | -- |
| 13 | Rachman Halim | $2 billion | Indonesia | 58 | Married | -- |
| 15 | Lucio Tan | $1.9 billion | Philippines | 71 | Married | -- |
| 16 | Henry Sy | $1.6 billion | Philippines | 80 | Married | 6 children |
| 17 | Dhanin Chearavanont | $1.4 billion | Thailand | 66 | Married | 5 children |
| 18 | Lee Shin Cheng | $1.3 billion | Malaysia | 66 | -- | -- |
| 18 | Thaksin Shinawatra | $1.3 billion | Thailand | 56 | Married | 3 children |
| 20 | Jaime Zobel de Ayala | $1.1 billion | Philippines | 71 | Married | 7 children |
| 20 | Tiong Hiew King | $1.1 billion | Malaysia | 69 | Married | -- |
| 20 | Francis Yeoh | $1.1 billion | Malaysia | 51 | Married | -- |
| 23 | Eduardo Cojuangco | $750 million | Philippines | 70 | Married | 4 children |
| 23 | Liem Sioe Liong | $750 million | Indonesia | 89 | Married | 3 children |
| 25 | Murli Kewalram Chanrai | $720 million | Singapore | 82 | Married | |
| 26 | Eka Tjipta Widjaja | $710 million | Indonesia | 82 | Married | 15 children |
| 27 | Syed Mokhtar Albukhary | $680 million | Malaysia | 53 | Married | 4 children |
| 28 | Arifin Panigoro | $610 million | Indonesia | 60 | Married | 2 children |
| 29 | Anant Asavabhokin | $540 million | Thailand | 56 | -- | -- |
| 30 | Vanchai Chirathivat | $485 million | Thailand | 78 | -- | -- |
| 31 | Boenjamin Setiawan | $460 million | Indonesia | 73 | -- | -- |
| 32 | Paulus Tumewu | $445 million | Indonesia | 52 | -- | -- |
| 33 | Chatri Sophonpanich | $440 million | Thailand | 72 | Married | -- |
| 34 | John Gokongwei Jr. | $425 million | Philippines | 78 | Married | 6 children |
| 35 | George Ty | $420 million | Philippines | 72 | Married | 5 children |
| 36 | Vichai Maleenont | $380 million | Thailand | -- | -- | -- |
| 37 | Oei Hong Leong | $355 million | Singapore | -- | Married | |
| 37 | Tony Tan Caktiong | $355 million | Philippines | 54 | Married | 3 children |
| 39 | Olivia Lum | $240 million | Singapore | 45 | Single | -- |
| 40 | Boonchai Bencharongkul | $210 million | Thailand | 51 | Married | 3 children |
Additional reporting by Tatiana Serafin and Cristina von Zeppelin.