Just 500 people own 36% of all the equity in Thailand’s firms

The Thai government is trying to tackle inequality by boosting welfare handouts for the least well off.

BANGKOK: About 36% of Thailand’s corporate equity is concentrated in the hands of just 500 people, highlighting wealth inequality in the country, a study released by the Bank of Thailand’s research institute shows.

Each of these 500 on average amasses 3.1 billion baht ($102 million) in company profits annually, according to the report from the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research. In contrast, average yearly household income is about $10,000.