Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej waves to well-wishers during a concert at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok on September 29, 2010. Thai king, the world's longest-reigning monarch and considered a demi-god by many Thais, was admitted to hospital in September for treatment of a respiratory condition. (Getty Images)

Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej attends a concert. at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok September 29, 2010. (Reuters)

Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco (R) practices Thai boxing as part of a promotion for the ATP Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok on September 29, 2010. The tournament runs from September 25 to October 3, 2010. (Getty Images)

Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco (R) talks with Thai tennis player Paradorn Srichapan (L) before a Thai boxing performance as part of a promotion for the ATP Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok on September 29, 2010. The tournament runs from September 25 to October 3, 2010. (Getty Images)

Thai Buddhist monks receive offerings during reopening ceremonies Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at the Central World Mall in downtown Bangkok. The charred hulk of Central World, one of Southeast Asia's biggest shopping malls has undergone a 2.8 billion baht ($90 million) renovation four months after anti-government protesters set it ablaze. The black smoke spiraling out of Central World was an iconic image of the chaos that gripped Bangkok May 19 when troops moved in to clear protesters who had occupied the area for 10 weeks. (AP)

Thai Buddhist monks offer prayers during reopening ceremonies Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at the Central World Mall in downtown Bangkok. (AP)

A health official inspects condoms for leakage at the Department of Medical Sciences laboratory in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok September 27, 2010. The Thai health ministry opened a condom museum in the Department of Medical Sciences on Monday to showcase various types of condoms and to encourage people to practise safe sex. (Reuters)

A health official looks at condoms on exhibit at a museum for condoms at the Department of Medical Sciences in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok September 27, 2010. (Reuters)

In this photo released by BEC-TERO Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. , Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, left, offers lotus flowers to a Buddhist monk at a beach in Prachuab Khirikhan province, south of Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. The world's number one player, Nadal, will compete in the Thailand Open tennis tournament that kicks off Sept. 25. (AP)

Boonchu Juramongkol, 34, shows his new iPhone 4 at a shop in Bangkok September 24, 2010. A Thai court has ordered the halt of a third-generation mobile license auction, a move which set the country back another few years in its attempt to adopt high-speed mobile phone services, sending local telco shares sharply lower. (Reuters)

Customers collect their iPhone 4 mobile phones at a shop in Bangkok September 24, 2010. (Reuters)

Students on a fishing boat wave windsocks with a message that reads "Unplug a Nuclear Future" beside the Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior in Thong Ching bay, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, some 610 km (379 miles) south of Bangkok September 23, 2010. The province is known for the vast population of pink dolphins (Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins or Sousa chinensis). The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior arrived yesterday to demonstrate for a future free of dangerous nuclear and coal power in Thailand. (Reuters)

A Greenpeace volunteer waves a windsock with a message that reads "Unplug a Nuclear Future" in Thong Ching bay, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, some 610 km (379 miles) south of Bangkok September 23, 2010. (Reuters)

Thai villagers watch birds hanging up during a bird-singing contest in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on September 21, 2010. Thousands of bird owners from Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia take part in the bird-singing contest. (Getty Images)

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, right, is welcomed by Thailand Tennis Association President Suwat Lipatapanlop as he arrives at Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. The world's number one player, Nadal completes in the Thailand Open tennis tournament that kicks off Sept. 25. (AP)

In this picture taken on Friday Sept. 17, 2010 Thai soldier from the army's First Psychology Unit train vocational school students at a Boy Scout camp in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok. Over the weekend, 105 of the city's most-renowned trade school troublemakers were bused two hours into the countryside to eat, pray and campout with their enemies in hopes that once they get to know each other the killing will stop.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

In this picture taken on Friday Sept. 17, 2010 vocational school students prepare for lunch after at a Boy Scout camp in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok. Over the weekend, 105 of the city's most-renowned trade school troublemakers were bused two hours into the countryside to eat, pray and campout with their enemies in hopes that once they get to know each other the killing will stop.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thousands of anti-government ''red shirt'' protesters gather at Ratchaprasong intersection, the site of their former encampment and recent bloody clashes with security forces, in Bangkok's shopping district September 19, 2010. Anti-government protesters gathered on Sunday across Thailand to mark the anniversary of a 2006 bloodless military coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. (Richard Barrow)

Women hold pictures of Thailand's 82-year-old revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej as they join thousands others at the Siriraj hospital praying every day for King's health in Bangkok September 18, 2010. As the world's longest-serving monarch marks a year in hospital on Sunday, Thailand faces hard questions over the future of its most powerful institution and whether it can sustain its traditional role as pillar of stability in times of upheaval. (Reuters)

A woman prays with joss sticks as she joins thousands others at the Siriraj hospital praying every day for the health of Thailand's 82-year-old revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok September 18, 2010. As the world's longest-serving monarch marks a year in hospital on Sunday, Thailand faces hard questions over the future of its most powerful institution and whether it can sustain its traditional role as pillar of stability in times of upheaval. (Reuters)

Thai anti-government "red shirt" protest leader Jutaporn Prompan addresses supporters outside Klongprem prison in Bangkok September 17, 2010. Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside Bangkok's prison to lay flowers and show support for their detained leaders, and to demand for the government to free all protesters put in prison during the recent unrest. (Reuters)

Thai anti-government "red shirts" hold flowers outside Klongprem prison in Bangkok September 17, 2010. Several thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside Bangkok's prison to lay flowers and show support for their detained leaders, demanding that the government free all protesters put in prison during the recent unrest. (Reuters)

A Thai soldier stands guard in front of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's resident in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010. Teams of soldiers and police were assigned to patrol the homes of prominent royal and political figures for the upcoming anniversary of the country's Sept. 19, 2006 military coup that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. At the same time, the UK Foreign Office released a travel advisory saying: There is a risk of violent incidents, including bomb attacks in Bangkok during 17-19 September 2010 (AP)

Pedestrians pass by a Thai soldier guarding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010. Teams of soldiers and police were assigned to patrol the homes of prominent royal and political figures for the upcoming anniversary of the country's Sept. 19, 2006 military coup that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (AP)

Workers shovel counterfeit goods for a steamroller to crush during the destruction ceremony of counterfeit and pirated goods at the crime suppression division Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai authorities on Wednesday destroyed approximately 90 tons worth about 2,260 million baht (US$76 million) of fake goods in a ceremony presided over by Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlabutr. (Associated Press)

Counterfeit goods are displayed before being destroyed at a destruction ceremony at the crime suppression division Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai authorities on Wednesday destroyed approximately 90 tons worth about 2,260 million baht ($76 million) of counterfeit and pirated goods in the ceremony presided over by Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlabutr. (Associated Press)

Thai riot policemen take part in a security drill at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok September 14, 2010. Anti-government red shirt protesters will hold a gathering at a former protest site in Bangkok on September 19 to mark the anniversary of a bloodless military coup that toppled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. (Reuters)

Thai riot policemen take part in a security drill at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok September 14, 2010. Anti-government red shirt protesters will hold a gathering at a former protest site in Bangkok on September 19 to mark the anniversary of a bloodless military coup that toppled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.

Thai Senator Phayap Thongchuen (blue) fights with his colleague Direk Thuengfang during their exhibition match at parliament in Bangkok September 13, 2010. Members of parliament set up a temporary boxing ring to promote muay thai (Thai kickboxing). (Reuters)

A helicopter chartered for shooting a documentary film hit power cables and crashed into the Chao Phya River in Nonthaburi on Saturday morning. The helicopter did not explode but it sank into the river. On Sunday, a crane was brought in to recover the helicopter. No-one was killed in the accident. (Gordon Anderson)

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Construction workers walk on a new condominium being built in central Bangkok August 17, 2010. New condominiums are sprouting almost daily across Bangkok, but developers and investors alike seem little concerned about a property bubble developing. (Reuters)

Navy seamen stand guard on their ship before they depart to the Gulf of Aden in Somalia from the Royal Thai Navy base, in Sattahip, Chonburi province, east of Bangkok September 10, 2010. About 386 Thai navy personnel, two vessels and two helicopters are sent to join a 93-day international anti-pirate exercise against Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. (Reuters)

Navy seamen wave to their colleagues as they depart to the Gulf of Aden in Somalia from the Royal Thai Navy base, in Sattahip, Chonburi province, east of Bangkok September 10, 2010. About 386 Thai navy personnel, two vessels and two helicopters are sent to join a 93-day international anti-pirate exercise against Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. (Reuters)

Thai security forces stand guard near the body of a village defence volunteer who was gunned down by suspected separatist rebels while riding his motorcycle in Yala province, southern Thailand, September 9, 2010. The man was the latest of more than 4,100 killed and nearly 8,000 wounded since January 2004 in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces bordering Malaysia, once an independent Malay-Muslim sultanate that was annexed by Buddhist Thailand in 1909. (Reuters)

Thai security personnel inspect the site of a bomb blast in Yala province, southern Thailand, September 9, 2010. The bomb was detonated after security forces arrived to investigate the murder of a man, believed to have been killed by separatists. No one was injured in the blast, according to police. More than 4,100 people have been killed and nearly 8,000 wounded in violence blamed on separatist militants since January 2004 in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces bordering Malaysia, once an independent Malay-Muslim sultanate that was annexed by Buddhist Thailand in 1909. (Reuters)

Thai firemen spray water on an aircraft during a full-scale emergency exercise at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok September 8, 2010. The exercise was to prepare the airport for possible accidents and emergency situations such as aircraft skidding off the runway or bursting into flames. (Richard Barrow/Paknam.com)

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Thai police officers inspect the body of a teacher who was shot dead by suspected separatist Muslim militants as he was travelling to work on a motorcycle in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat on September 7, 2010. Suspected Islamic militants have killed four people in Thailand's restive south, police said on September 7, including a teacher whose death sparked calls for a region-wide closure of schools. The victim was the 134th teacher killed since 2004 in the violence-plagued region. Teachers working in state schools are frequently targeted because they are seen as a symbol of government authority in the south, where insurgents view the schools system as an effort by Bangkok to impose Buddhist culture. (Getty Images)

Passengers pass a Thai soldier on guard in an area of the Siam BTS skytrain station in Bangkok on September 6, 2010. Authorities have put over 460 locations across Bangkok on high alert in response to a series of grenade attacks that have rattled nerves in a city still under emergency rule after deadly protests. (Getty Images)

Thai soldiers guard near a Skytrain station in Bangkok Monday, Sept. 6, 2010. Thai Government announced they are boosting security in the country's capital after a series of grenade attacks possibly linked to recent political unrest. (AP)

A performer dances during the visit of Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Thai pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on September 1, 2010. Vejjajiva visited the Thai pavilion on the occasion of the Thailand day at World Expo. (Getty Images)

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (L) waves as he walks past the Thai pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on September 1, 2010. Vejjajiva visited the Thai pavilion on the occasion of the Thailand day at World Expo. (Getty Images)

An undate picture obtained on September 3, 2010 shows the new Thai military chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha in Bangkok. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially endorsed on September 2 the appointment of General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as the powerful commander-in-chief, part of his approval of the annual military reshuffle list involving 550 positions. (Getty Images)

Thai farmers use a press to flatten rubber sheets at a farm in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on September 2, 2010. Thailand on September 2 ordered the central bank to keep a close eye on the baht and 'prepare measures' after the currency soared to a 29-month high against the US dollar, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said, adding that the Bank of Thailand said the currency's strength was mostly based on the positive balance of trade -- reflecting robust exports -- rather than speculation. Thailand is the world's largest rubber exporter. (Getty Images)

Thai farmers step on rubber sheets to stretch them at a farm in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on September 2, 2010. (Getty Images)

"Thailand: World Supplier of Natural Rubber" (pdf file)

A view of the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province, eastern Thailand in this August 31, 2010 file photo. In a decision that will likely be cheered by foreign investors, a Thai court Thursday ruled that nearly all the projects at Map Ta Phut industrial park can resume operations, despite environmental and health concerns. (Reuters)

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Thailand's new No. 1 heads agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), which father founded as small Bangkok seed importer. Over the past year stock more than doubled at 3 largest shareholdings: 7-Eleven store operator, CP ALL, on higher profits and successful expansion; as well as food producers Charoen Pokphand Foods and PT Charoen Pokphand on demand from China and high-margin food sales. Shares fortune with 3 brothers. Philanthropist restores Buddhist temples in Thailand, sponsors schools and orphanages. (Bangkok Post/Forbes.com)

Thailand's 40 Richest: Their net worth is over $36 billion. With a fortune of $7 billion, conglomerateur Dhanin Chearavanont is the new No. 1. >>>