BANGKOK, Thailand – The Yoovidhya family behind Red Bull has retained its position as Thailand’s wealthiest family for the third consecutive year, according to Forbes’ 2026 list of Thailand’s 50 richest people. Forbes reported that despite Thailand facing tensions from the border situation with Cambodia in 2025, the country’s economy remained resilient, expanding by 2.4%. Growth was supported by recovering domestic consumption and stronger exports, helping push the Thai stock market higher. The combined wealth of Thailand’s 50 richest people increased by 10% to US$187 billion, while the minimum wealth required to enter this year’s ranking rose to US$555 million, up from US$420 million previously.
The top five richest individuals and families are:
- Chalerm Yoovidhya and family (Red Bull)
With a fortune of US$47 billion, Chalerm Yoovidhya remains Thailand’s richest person for the third consecutive year. Forbes said global Red Bull sales surpassed 14 billion cans, helping company revenue rise 8% to €12.2 billion.
- Chearavanont brothers (CP Group)
The Chearavanont family ranked second with US$36.6 billion. The family’s business empire made headlines after Suphachai Chearavanont’s Arise Digital Technology invested more than 100 billion baht (US$3 billion) to acquire a 25% stake in True Corporation from Telenor Group.
- Sarath Ratanavadi (Gulf)
Gulf Energy chairman Sarath Ratanavadi recorded the largest increase in wealth, rising by US$5.6 billion to US$17.6 billion. The increase followed Gulf’s expansion of its stake in Kasikornbank to nearly 10%, making it the bank’s second-largest shareholder.
- Chirathivat family (Central Group)
The Chirathivat family’s wealth climbed by more than one-third to US$11.7 billion, supported by Central Retail’s plans to invest 18 billion baht to expand its retail businesses in Thailand and Vietnam.
- Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and family (ThaiBev/Frasers)
Charoen’s wealth increased 10% to US$11.5 billion, helped by restructuring of real estate assets under Singapore-based Frasers Property.
AI Boom Creates New Winners
WHA Group chairwoman Jareeporn Jarukornsakul recorded one of the strongest performances on the list, with her wealth rising 69% to US$1.25 billion, driven by growing foreign investment in AI data centres in Thailand. Technology and clean energy trends also helped bring two businessmen back into the billionaire rankings: Banchai Ongkosit of KCE and Kallakorn Damrongpiyawut of GUNKUL, who benefited from AI supply chains and renewable energy demand.
New Generation Takes Over Family Fortunes
This year also saw several major family fortunes pass to the next generation following the deaths of three prominent business figures. The wealth of Krit Ratanarak of Channel 7HD was passed to his son Chatchon Ratanarak. The assets of Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) were transferred within the Prasarttong-Osoth family, while Chuchat Petchchay’s fortune from Muangthai Capital is now represented by his wife Daonapa Petchchay.
Thailand’s Top 10 Richest People/Families in 2026
- Chalerm Yoovidhya and family – US$47 billion
- Chearavanont brothers – US$36.6 billion
- Sarath Ratanavadi – US$17.6 billion
- Chirathivat family – US$11.7 billion
- Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and family – US$11.5 billion
- Chaiyawan family – US$5.1 billion
- Prasarttong-Osoth family – US$3.7 billion
- Sathien Sathienthamma – US$2.8 billion
- Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and family – US$2.4 billion
- Chatchon Ratanarak – US$2.3 billion
