Thaksin fourth richest man in Thailand

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

BANGKOK (AFP) — Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is reportedly Thailand's fourth richest businessman with a fortune worth 2.2 billion dollars.

The 56-year-old self-made billionaire, who took office in 2001, is the founder of Thailand's telecom giant Shin Corp., which includes the country's top mobile phone company, satellite services and a stake in a budget airline.

His family in January sold a nearly 50-percent stake in Shin Corp. and earned 1.9 billion dollars under a tax-free deal, setting off months of street protests demanding his ousting over alleged abuse of power and corruption.

The protests sparked a political crisis that led to the nullification of elections held April 2. His party and the main opposition now face vote fraud charges that could...