Malaysians led by media, hotel and property tycoon Robert Kuok dominated a list of Southeast Asia's 40 wealthiest people released here on Wednesday by US business magazine Forbes .

The Southeast Asian Top 40 had a combined net worth of US$47 billion, and the poorest among them was worth a mere US$210 million, according to a report appearing in the publication's Sept 6 issue.

Malaysia accounted for 10 entries on the list, followed by Thailand with nine. Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines each contributed seven names.

The roster included one prominent politician - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - but not a single woman made it into the exclusive club.

Kuok, owner of the South China Morning Post newspaper in Hong Kong as well as the Shangri-La hotel chain and real estate developer Kerry Properties, had a net worth of US$4.1 billion, according to Forbes .

He was followed by fellow Malaysian Ananda Krishnan, owner of cable operator Astro and mobile phone company Maxis Communications, who was estimated to be worth US$3.5 billion.

Thaksin ranked 16

Third on the list was Singaporean property developer and hotelier Kwek Leng Beng, worth US$2.8 billion.

Tied in fourth position with a net worth of US$2.3 billion each were Indonesian tobacco tycoon Rachman Halim, Singapore real estate developer Ng Teng Fong and Malaysian financial and property magnate Quek Leng Chan, cousin of Singapore's Kwek.

The richest Thai is Chaleo Yoovidhya of Red Bull energy beverage fame, with a net worth of US$1.6 billion, putting him at joint 12th position.

Thaksin, who made his fortune from telecommunications, was ranked 16th with a net worth of US$1.2 billion.

The Philippines' richest man is Lucio Tan, owner of Philippine Airlines as well as tobacco, alcohol and banking interests, at US$1.6 billion, Forbes said. He was followed by shopping mall king Henry Sy at US$1.4 billion.