Even though it is a developing area, Southeast Asia is already home to tens of billionaires who have built business empires across the region. Having grown their companies by working with their families or as sole entrepreneurs, ASEAN billionaires are at the head of some of the largest corporations of the region.
Published yearly by Forbes magazine, the list of the world’s billionaires regroups the richest people in the world, but does not include public persons such as reigning royalty. With more than 2,100 billionaires throughout the world in 2018, Southeast Asia currently counts 102 billionaires, primarily coming from its largest economies.
Here are the countries where they come from:
- Thailand: 30 billionaires
- Singapore: 22 billionaires
- Indonesia: 20 billionaires
- Malaysia: 14 billionaires
- Philippines: 12 billionaires
- Vietnam: 4 billionaires
Most of ASEAN billionaires are at the head of companies heavily involved in business in Southeast Asia, and they are primarily engaged in the following businesses:
- real estate & property
- banking
- agribusiness
- power & energy
- investments
- retail
The list of billionaires hereafter ranks the billionaires of the region with the richest first. Note that for each billionaire some information on him and his wealth has been added, as well as a link to their Forbes profile with more details about them, their businesses and families.
1. Henry Sy
Profile – Net worth: $20 B – Country: Philippines – Source: diversified
Age: 93 – World rank: 52
2. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi
Profile – Net worth: $17.9 B – Country: Thailand – Source: drinks, real estate
Age: 73 – World rank: 65
3. R. Budi Hartono
Profile – Net worth: $17.4 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: banking, tobacco
Age: 77 – World rank: 69
4. Michael Hartono
Profile – Net worth: $16.7 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: banking, tobacco
Age: 78 – World rank: 75
5. Dhanin Chearavanont
Profile – Net worth: $14.9 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 78 – World rank: 95
6. Robert Kuok
Profile – Net worth: $14.8 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: palm oil, shipping, property
Age: 94 – World rank: 96
7. Robert & Philip Ng
Profile – Net worth: $10.8 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: – World rank: 140
8. Ananda Krishnan
Profile – Net worth: $7.2 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: telecoms, media, oil-services
Age: 79 – World rank: 217
8. Quek Leng Chan
Profile Profile – Net worth: $7.2 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: banking, property
Age: 76 – World rank: 217
10. Goh Cheng Liang
Profile – Net worth: $7 B – Country: Singapore – Source: paints
Age: 90 – World rank: 228
10. Sri Prakash Lohia
Profile – Net worth: $7 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: polyester
Age: 65 – World rank: 228
12. Wee Cho Yaw
Profile – Net worth: $6.6 B – Country: Singapore – Source: banking
Age: 89 – World rank: 251
13. Teh Hong Piow
Profile – Net worth: $6 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: banking
Age: 87 – World rank: 289
14. John Gokongwei, Jr.
Profile – Net worth: $5.8 B – Country: Philippines – Source: food and beverage
Age: 91 – World rank: 305
15. Kwee family
Profile – Net worth: $5.6 B – Country: Singapore – Source: Real Estate
Age: – World rank: 321
15. Lee Shin Cheng
Profile – Net worth: $5.6 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: palm oil, property
Age: 79 – World rank: 321
17. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Profile – Net worth: $5 B – Country: Thailand – Source: duty-free
Age: 60 – World rank: 388
18. Enrique Razon, Jr.
Profile – Net worth: $4.9 B – Country: Philippines – Source: ports
Age: 58 – World rank: 404
19. Lim Kok Thay
Profile – Net worth: $4.7 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: casinos
Age: 66 – World rank: 441
19. Lucio Tan
Profile – Net worth: $4.7 B – Country: Philippines – Source: diversified
Age: 83 – World rank: 441
21. Pham Nhat Vuong
Profile – Net worth: $4.3 B – Country: Vietnam – Source: diversified
Age: 49 – World rank: 499
22. Sumet Jiaravanon
Profile – Net worth: $4.2 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 83 – World rank: 514
23. Jaran Chiaravanont
Profile – Net worth: $4.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 87 – World rank: 527
23. Montri Jiaravanont
Profile – Net worth: $4.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 86 – World rank: 527
25. Tony Tan Caktiong
Profile – Net worth: $4 B – Country: Philippines – Source: food
Age: 65 – World rank: 550
26. George Ty
Profile – Net worth: $3.9 B – Country: Philippines – Source: banking
Age: 85 – World rank: 572
27. Sarath Ratanavadi
Profile – Net worth: $3.6 B – Country: Thailand – Source: energy
Age: 52 – World rank: 629
28. Chairul Tanjung
Profile – Net worth: $3.5 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 55 – World rank: 652
28. Tahir
Profile – Net worth: $3.5 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 65 – World rank: 652
30. Somphote Ahunai
Profile – Net worth: $3.4 B – Country: Thailand – Source: energy
Age: 50 – World rank: 679
31. Chen Lip Keong
Profile – Net worth: $3.3 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: casinos, property, energy
Age: 70 – World rank: 703
31. Vanich Chaiyawan
Profile – Net worth: $3.3 B – Country: Thailand – Source: insurance, beverages
Age: 86 – World rank: 703
33. Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen
Profile – Net worth: $3.1 B – Country: Vietnam – Source: airlines
Age: 47 – World rank: 766
34. Manuel Villar
Profile – Net worth: $3 B – Country: Philippines – Source: real estate
Age: 68 – World rank: 791
34. Mochtar Riady
Profile – Net worth: $3 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 88 – World rank: 791
34. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth
Profile – Net worth: $3 B – Country: Thailand – Source: hospitals
Age: 84 – World rank: 791
37. Jason Chang
Profile – Net worth: $2.9 B – Country: Singapore – Source: electronics
Age: 73 – World rank: 822
37. Kwek Leng Beng
Profile – Net worth: $2.9 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: 77- World rank: 822
37. Prajogo Pangestu
Profile – Net worth: $2.9 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: petrochemicals
Age: 73 – World rank: 822
40. Andrew Tan
Profile – Net worth: $2.7 B – Country: Philippines – Source: diversified
Age: 65 – World rank: 887
40. Krit Ratanarak
Profile – Net worth: $2.7 B – Country: Thailand – Source: media, real estate
Age: 71 – World rank: 887
42. Raj Kumar & Kishin RK
Profile – Net worth: $2.6 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: 63 – World rank: 924
44. Kuan Kam Hon
Profile – Net worth: $2.5 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: synthetic gloves
Age: 70 – World rank: 965
44. Ramon Ang
Profile – Net worth: $2.5 B – Country: Philippines – Source: Diversified
Age: 64 – World rank: 965
44. Zhao Tao
Profile – Net worth: $2.5 B – Country: Singapore – Source: pharmaceuticals
Age: 52 – World rank: 965
47. Koon Poh Keong
Profile – Net worth: $2.4 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: aluminium
Age: 56 – World rank: 1020
48. Peter Lim
Profile – Net worth: $2.2 B – Country: Singapore – Source: investments
Age: 64 – World rank: 1103
49. Choo Chong Ngen
Profile – Net worth: $2.1 B – Country: Singapore – Source: hotels
Age: 64 – World rank: 1157
49. Kuok Khoon Hong
Profile – Net worth: $2.1 B – Country: Singapore – Source: palm oil
Age: 68 – World rank: 1157
49. Ong Beng Seng and Christina Ong
Profile – Net worth: $2.1 B – Country: Singapore – Source: diversified
Age: 73 – World rank: 1157
49. William Heinecke
Profile – Net worth: $2.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: hotels
Age: 69 – World rank: 1157
53. Chuchat & Daonapa Petaumpai
Profile – Net worth: $2 B – Country: Thailand – Source: motorcycle loans
Age: 64 – World rank: 1215
53. Harald Link
Profile – Net worth: $2 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 63 – World rank: 1215
53. Murdaya Poo
Profile – Net worth: $2 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 77 – World rank: 1215
53. Sam Goi
Profile – Net worth: $2 B – Country: Singapore – Source: frozen foods
Age: 69 – World rank: 1215
57. Chang Yun Chung
Profile – Net worth: $1.9 B – Country: Singapore – Source: shipping
Age: 99 – World rank: 1284
57. Peter Sondakh
Profile – Net worth: $1.9 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: investments
Age: 68 – World rank: 1284
57. Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary
Profile – Net worth: $1.9 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: engineering, energy, construction
Age: 66 – World rank: 1284
61. Ba Duong Tran
Profile – Net worth: $1.8 B – Country: Vietnam – Source: automotive
Age: 57 – World rank: 1339
61. Sheng Jian Zhong
Profile – Net worth: $1.8 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: 60 – World rank: 1339
61. Thaksin Shinawatra
Profile – Net worth: $1.8 B – Country: Thailand – Source: investments
Age: 68 – World rank: 1339
64. Lim Oon Kuin
Profile – Net worth: $1.7 B – Country: Singapore – Source: oil trading
Age: 74 – World rank: 1394
64. Prayudh Mahagitsiri
Profile – Net worth: $1.7 B – Country: Thailand – Source: coffee, shipping
Age: 72 – World rank: 1394
64. Theodore Rachmat
Profile – Net worth: $1.7 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 74 – World rank: 1394
64. Wichai Thongtang
Profile – Net worth: $1.7 B – Country: Thailand – Source: investments
Age: 71 – World rank: 1394
68. Asok Kumar Hiranandani
Profile – Net worth: $1.5 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: 63 – World rank: 1561
68. Eddy Kusnadi Sariaatmadja
Profile – Net worth: $1.5 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: media, tech
Age: 64 – World rank: 1561
68. Keeree Kanjanapas
Profile – Net worth: $1.5 B – Country: Thailand – Source: transportation
Age: 67 – World rank: 1561
68. Low Tuck Kwong
Profile – Net worth: $1.5 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: coal
Age: 69 – World rank: 1561
68. Thongma Vijitpongpun
Profile – Net worth: $1.5 B – Country: Thailand – Source: real estate
Age: 59 – World rank: 1561
73. Chua Thian Poh
Profile – Net worth: $1.4 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate
Age: 69 – World rank: 1650
73. Ciputra
Profile – Net worth: $1.4 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: real estate
Age: 86 – World rank: 1650
73. Martua Sitorius
Profile – Net worth: $1.4 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: palm oil
Age: 58 – World rank: 1650
73. Oei Hong Leong
Profile – Net worth: $1.4 B – Country: Singapore – Source: investments
Age: 69 – World rank: 1650
73. Robert Coyiuto, Jr.
Profile – Net worth: $1.4 B – Country: Philippines – Source: power
Age: 65 – World rank: 1650
78. Alexander Tedja
Profile – Net worth: $1.3 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: real estate
Age: 72 – World rank: 1756
78. Djoko Susanto
Profile – Net worth: $1.3 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: supermarkets
Age: 68 – World rank: 1756
78. Eduardo Cojuangco
Profile – Net worth: $1.3 B – Country: Philippines – Source: food, drinks
Age: 82 – World rank: 1756
78. Jeffrey Cheah
Profile – Net worth: $1.3 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: property
Age: 72 – World rank: 1756
78. Long Tran Dinh
Profile – Net worth: $1.3 B – Country: Vietnam – Source: steel, heavy industry
Age: 57 – World rank: 1756
83. Harjo Sutanto
Profile – Net worth: $1.2 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: consumer goods
Age: 91 – World rank: 1867
83. Lim Wee Chai
Profile – Net worth: $1.2 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: rubber gloves
Age: 60 – World rank: 1867
83. Phongthep Chiaravanont
Profile – Net worth: $1.2 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: 66 – World rank: 1867
83. Rit Thirakomen
Profile – Net worth: $1.2 B – Country: Thailand – Source: restaurants
Age: 66 – World rank: 1867
83. Ron Sim
Profile – Net worth: $1.2 B – Country: Singapore – Source: retail
Age: 59 – World rank: 1867
88. Chatchai Kaewbootta
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: auto loans
Age: 66 – World rank: 1999
88. Hary Tanoesoedibjo
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: media
Age: 52 – World rank: 1999
88. Koh Wee Meng
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Singapore – Source: real estate, hotels
Age: 54 – World rank: 1999
88. Manas Chiaravanond
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: – World rank: 1999
88. Min-Liang Tan
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Singapore – Source: gaming
Age: 40 – World rank: 1999
88. Niti Osathanugrah
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: investments
Age: 44 – World rank: 1999
88. Prathip Chiaravanond
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: – World rank: 1999
88. Roberto Ongpin
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Philippines – Source: diversified
Age: 81 – World rank: 1999
88. Soegiarto Adikoesoemo
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: chemicals
Age: 79 – World rank: 1999
88. Sukanto Tanoto
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Indonesia – Source: diversified
Age: 68 – World rank: 1999
88. Tiong Hiew King
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Malaysia – Source: timber, media
Age: 82 – World rank: 1999
88. Yupa Chiaravanond
Profile – Net worth: $1.1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: diversified
Age: – World rank: 1999
100. Pete Bodharamik
Profile – Net worth: $1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: telecom
Age: 45 – World rank: 2124
100. Sathien Setthasit
Profile – Net worth: $1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: energy drinks
Age: 63 – World rank: 2124
100. Surin Upatkoon
Profile – Net worth: $1 B – Country: Thailand – Source: telecom, lotteries, insurance
Age: 68 – World rank: 2124
Source: Forbes list of the World’s Billionaires
