Who's the richest of them all?

Many people were surprised when Minister of Science and Technology Plodprasop Suraswadi reported a higher net worth than PM Yingluck Shinawatra. There were other surprises too.

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Plodprasop is the richest govt minister

Yingluck claims 541 million baht in assets
  
King-oua Laohong

Plodprasop: Nearly a billionaire

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared a net worth of 541 million baht in her assets declaration, the National Anti-Corruption Commission revealed yesterday.

Minister of Science and Technology Plodprasop Suraswadi is the richest member of the cabinet, reporting 963.49 million baht more in assets than liabilities. 

The poorest member is Deputy Transport Minister Kittisakdi Hathasongkorh with just 3.9 million baht.

For some key members of the past cabinet, former prime minister and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reported 54 million baht more in assets than liabilities, compared to 50 million baht when he became prime minister.

Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban reported 95 million baht, up sharply from 39 million baht when he took office.

Former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij declared a net worth of 870 million baht, also a hefty increase against 807 million baht when he took office.

There were a number of other surprises in the assets declaration, required by the constitution for cabinet members and MPs when they enter and leave parliament.

A number of cabinet members reported not owning any homes or vehicles although they were previously thought to have more than one luxury car.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, for instance, reported a net worth of 178 million baht. He specified in his assets declaration form that his vehicles were worth only 4 million baht in total, whereas his spouse owned a car worth only about 300,000 baht.

Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom who reported a net worth of 4.44 million baht stated in his assets declaration that he did not own any land or buildings.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat declared that neither he nor his spouse owned any land or vehicles.

Deputy Interior Minister Thanit Thienthong declared 43.6 million baht in assets over liabilities which included 24 million baht in savings and 18 million baht of land. But he said he did not own a car.

Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap who reported a net worth of 32 million baht also said he did not own a vehicle.

Industry Minister Wannarat Channukul with a net worth of 238 million baht declared that he did not own any buildings and his vehicle was worth only 5,000 baht.

In the group of MPs seen as being red shirts, Pheu Thai list MP Jarupan Kuldiloke, daughter of Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke, declared the highest net worth of 199.25 million baht.

Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok Karun Hosakul declared assets over liabilities of 53.34 million baht.

Pheu Thai list MP and red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan declared a net worth of 8.2 million baht.

Rapeephan Pongruangrong, wife of fugitive red shirt Arisman, declared that she and her husband had assets over liabilities of 2 million baht. Still, her net worth came to 11.2 million baht.

claim –  to say that something is yours; to say that you have the right to have or own something, especially land or property ยืนยัน, อ้างสิทธิ
assets – things owned by a person, company etc., particularly money and property ทรัพย์สิน
declare – to announce officially that something is true ยืนยัน, รับรอง, แสดงหลักฐาน
net worth – the value of all your property, possessions, and money after you remove what you owe มูลค่าของทรัพย์สินทั้งหมดหลังจากลบออกหนี้สิน
National Anti-Corruption Commission – An independent government organisation to investigate corruption carried out by government officials ปปช. (สำนักคณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ)
reveal – to let something become known เปิดเผย
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
liabilities – debts หนี้สิน
deputy – a person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organisation รอง
key – very important ที่สำคัญ
sharply – quickly and by a large amount สูงขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว
take office – to begin to hold a position of power เริ่มปฏิบัติหน้าที่ที่ได้รับมอบหมาย
hefty – large มาก
constitution – the set of laws and basic principles that a country in governed by รัฐธรรมนูญ
luxury – the best and most expensive of something ที่หรูหรา
for instance – for example ตัวอย่างเช่น
specify – to explain something in an exact and detailed way ระบุ  ชี้แจงรายละเอียด
whereas – used for comparing two things, people, situations etc and showing that there is an important difference between them ในทางตรงกันข้าม
spouse – husband or wife คู่สมรส
fugitive – someone who has been accused of doing something illegal and is trying to avoid being caught by the police ผู้หลบหนี