PUBLISHED : 29 Dec 2023 at 04:00
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said yesterday he can’t deny that he is wealthy, after many years of hard work and successful investments.
Mr Srettha, a former high-flying businessman before entering politics, was responding to a remark that he was one of the richest prime ministers of Thailand. Earlier, the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) released details on assets declared by cabinet ministers, including his.
Mr Srettha, 61, is the former CEO of property developer giant Sansiri Plc. He and his wife have declared wealth of 1.02 billion baht, including nearly 333 million baht tied up in property, 131.05 million baht in gems and jewellery and a 1963 DB5 Aston Martin car worth 50 million baht.
Mr Srettha owns only one car, which is the Aston Martin that he didn’t bring into Thailand, he said, adding that it is the same model as the one which appeared in the latest James Bond film. The Lexus car he currently uses belongs to his daughter, he said.
The NACC said yesterday that Mr Srettha was required to declare all assets and liabilities upon his assumption of the office as prime minister and finance minister on Sept 5.
Mr Srettha had a declared worth of 659.39 million baht, and his wife, Dr Pakpilai, 361.08 million baht. They also had 9.73 million baht in bank overdrafts.
The couple had 2.8 million baht in cash, 116.01 million baht in 85 deposit accounts, 53.65 million baht in investments and land worth 158.4 million baht in Phra Khanong district.
They also declared condos worth 156.42 million baht in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan and a three-storey house in the Klong Toey district.
While Mr Srettha owned only one car, his wife had three vehicles: a Toyota Alphard, Fiat and Tesla Model Y worth altogether 78 million baht.
The prime minister declared 38 watches worth 127.95 million baht in total, while his wife’s 31 watches were estimated at 84.87 million baht.
She also had 48 bags valued at 37.01 million baht, and Mr Srettha had a Louis Vuitton X trunk valued at 6 million baht. Both owned gems and jewellery worth a total of 131.05 million baht.
Mr Srettha told the NACC he earned 253.64 million baht a year, most of it in salaries. He spent an estimated 51.63 million baht a year, mostly on personal expenditures.
His wife reported earning 3.21 million baht a year, mostly from her medical practice.
She spent 20.67 million baht during the year, mainly on travel.