Hospital, airline tycoon Prasert becomes year's richest stock investor

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Hospital, airline tycoon Prasert becomes year's richest stock investor
The Nation


Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth

BANGKOK: -- Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth became the country's wealthiest stock investor this year, with listed securities worth a total of Bt37 billion.

He took over the top ranking from Thongma Vijitpongpun, a three-year champion (2010-2012), who is ranked fifth this year with securities value of Bt25.45 billion, which rose only 8.32 per cent between October 2012 and September this year.

Prasert is ranked ninth in Forbes' "Thailand's 50 Richest" list, with net worth as of July at US$1.8 billion (nearly Bt58 billion). He is the world's 825th-richest billionaire, according to Forbes.

The former surgeon co-founded and still runs Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH), whose share price has risen on continued expansion. It now has 31 locations, including two in Cambodia. He also founded Bangkok Airways, which flies to destinations in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh and Maldives.

According to a survey by Money Banking magazine, Prasert's wealth rose mainly on the increasing share value of BGH. Holding 18.78 per cent of the hospital company, he saw its value rise to Bt36.6 billion, up by Bt15.47 billion or 73 per cent from September last year. From end-September 2012, the BGH share price rose 17.29 per cent in a 12-month period.

He also holds a 0.79-per-cent equity stake in Nonthavej Hospital (NTV) worth Bt30.82 million.

His stockholding first hit the billion-baht mark in 2004. Last year, he was fourth in the rankings, with stock value of Bt21 billion.

Coming in second place this year is Keeree Kanjanapas, founder of BTS Group Holdings, the operator of Bangkok's Skytrain system. The total value of listed securities he owns is Bt34 billion.

Coming in third is Pete Bodharamik of Jasmine International, at Bt26 billion. During the 12-month period, his securities value rose by 45.89 per cent or Bt10.76 billion. At Bt26.48 billion, the value of his securities rose 270.12 per cent from the previous year when he was ranked 18th. This increase was attributed to the listing of Mono Technology on the Market for Alternative Investment. Pete holds 71.81 per cent of the company.

In fourth place is Anant Asvabhokin, president of Land & Houses, with securities value of Bt25.74 billion. That is up 18.69 per cent year on year.

Initial public offerings of new companies this year also introduced new wealthy stock investors including Somphot Ahunai, chief executive of Energy Absolute. With securities valued at Bt10 billion as of September 30, he is ranked the 10th-wealthiest stock investor this year.

In terms of stockholdings by Thai families, the Chirathivat family this year toppled the Maleenont family, who had been ranked on top for 14 years. The Chirathivats' stockholding is worth Bt66.7 billion, against Bt49 billion for the Maleenonts. While Centara Hotels and Resorts' share price rose 121.09 per cent, Big C Supercenter's share rose by 6.95 per cent. Meanwhile, the Maleenont family's BEC World saw its share price fall by 25 per cent. Prasert's family is ranked third and the Kanjanapas family is fourth.


-- The Nation 2013-12-13

[CelticBhoy]

Spread the wealth Prasert.

Some botox and a tie would be a good start.

[Thai at Heart]

Eeks! Aren't there any monopolistic lawas in Thailand. This #*@! Thai Chinese guy is trying to control all the private hospitals in Thailand! Must be able to do it as a result of corruption here (tea money....a product of the Chinese colonisation of the country plus support from the Democrats that only serve the rich thai chinese and the rich southerners.)

Hope people like this guy all end up having cancer and a slow but terrible death. ( do your research before commenting as to why i would curse people like these.)

Well the last paragraph is a bit harsh, but isn't it accepted that the best thing for the thai people that these monopolies are protected and perpetuated forever?

I mean, wouldn't the sky fall if these people had to attempt a little competitive business?

[noikrit]

Eeks! Aren't there any monopolistic lawas in Thailand. This #*@! Thai Chinese guy is trying to control all the private hospitals in Thailand! Must be able to do it as a result of corruption here (tea money....a product of the Chinese colonisation of the country plus support from the Democrats that only serve the rich thai chinese and the rich southerners.)

Hope people like this guy all end up having cancer and a slow but terrible death. ( do your research before commenting as to why i would curse people like these.)

The Shinawattra Clan are Chinese Thai .... Did you forget ?????

[alfalfa19]

He looks a lot like Mister T.

[Time Traveller]

Eeks! Aren't there any monopolistic lawas in Thailand. This #*@! Thai Chinese guy is trying to control all the private hospitals in Thailand! Must be able to do it as a result of corruption here (tea money....a product of the Chinese colonisation of the country plus support from the Democrats that only serve the rich thai chinese and the rich southerners.)

Hope people like this guy all end up having cancer and a slow but terrible death. ( do your research before commenting as to why i would curse people like these.)

Are you trying for the dumbest post of the year?.

BGH is not the only private hospital in Thailand. I don't know this guy, but he actually started this business and built it up, which is more useful than people who just inherited wealth and even more useful to society than jealous people like you that just complain about successful people

[AryanicAristocrat]

Time traveller, please do your research first before commenting......Khun Prasart first legal business was Samui airport and Bangkok Airways, which he secured thru dubious means.........greasing the democrats to gain the first private airport status, I dare not comment on his previous businesses for sake of libel.....please check...there is a lot of past articles about him. Then he when into the hospital buinesses and actually he is gaining control of almost every private hospital group ie from Phayathai Grp, Paolo Grp, he already has a minority in Bamrungrad and was trying to make a takeover bid at one stage, BGH also owns Bangkok Gen, BNH, Samitivej etc.

I happen to have been in thailand for a long time and also know his duaghter-in-law very well, so please time traveller, do a bit of research first unless off course you are one of his paid slaves.

[Thaddeus]

BANGKOK: -- Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth became the country's wealthiest stock investor this year, with listed securities worth a total of Bt37 billion.

That is what it is worth today, tomorrow is a whole other day.

Meanwhile, the Maleenont family's BEC World saw its share price fall by 25 per cent.

[tingtongteesood]

When you are that rich you don't need to wear a tie, there is no boss to impress....

[meand]

You certainly don't need any botox either.