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. >>>

Members of a Thai medical team give 'first-aid' to injured passengers during a 'full-scale emergency' exercise at Don Muang airport in Bangkok on August 31, 2010. In 2009 there were 28 fatal airline accidents and 749 fatalities across all sectors of the global airline industry, which compares respectively with 34 and 583 for the previous year. (Getty Images)

A Thai fireman carries an 'injured' man from an aircraft during a 'full-scale emergency' exercise at Don Muang airport in Bangkok on August 31, 2010. In 2009 there were 28 fatal airline accidents and 749 fatalities across all sectors of the global airline industry, which compares respectively with 34 and 583 for the previous year.

Thai forensic policemen inspect the site of a grenade attack at the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) in Bangkok August 31, 2010. A grenade exploded in the compound of theThai state-run broadcaster on Tuesday but no one was injured, police said, the fourth mysterious blast in five weeks during a state of emergency in Bangkok. (Reuters)

Thai forensic policemen inspect the site of a grenade attack at the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) in Bangkok August 31, 2010. A grenade exploded in the compound of the Thai state-run broadcaster on Tuesday but no one was injured, police said, the fourth mysterious blast in five weeks during a state of emergency in Bangkok. (Reuters)

Montenegro's President Milo Djukanovic (R) talks to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya during their meeting in Podgorica August 30, 2010. Kasit met today with high-ranking Montenegrin officials in a bid to boost bilateral cooperation and relations. (Reuters)

Members of Thai special police unit carry their weapons as they ride motorcycles during an exercise in Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok. The troubled rubber-rich provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat were part of a Muslim sultanate annexed a century ago by the predominantly Buddhist Thailand. About 80 percent of the people in the region are Muslim and speak a Malay dialect. More than 4,100 people have been killed in six years of unrest blamed on separatist insurgents in the region bordering Malaysia. (Reuters)

Thai veterinarian Phimchanok Srongmongkul holds a baby tiger cub after feeding at the Wildlife Health Unit at the Department of National Parks in Bngkok Thailand on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. Thai authorities found the baby tiger cub that had been drugged and hidden among stuffed toy tigers in the suitcase of a woman flying from Bangkok to Iran, an official and a wildlife protection group said Friday. (AP)

Alla Bout, wife of suspected Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, speaks during a news conference at Foreign Correspondent Club Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered a stern message to Washington on Wednesday that the extradition of Viktor Bout cannot be rushed and will only happen after the necessary legal steps are completed. (AP)

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