Thai businessman, William Ellwood Heinecke, has a net worth of $425 million as of August 2011, according to Forbes' Thailand rich list. The U.S.-born entrepreneur came to Thailand as a child, started first business before he turned 18. Now runs more than 1,000 restaurants as well as upscale hotels and resorts. Profits at his Minor International expected to improve with hotel recovery and added revenue from newly acquired Oaks Hotels & Resorts in Australia. He is the CEO and Chairman of Minor Corporation, the CEO and Chairman of Minor International, and Chairman of Minor Food Group.

Born in 1949, Heinecke moved to Bangkok in 1963 with his family, having previously been based in Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. His father served for 25 years in the US military, through two wars, and later joined the foreign service. His mother worked as an Asia correspondent for Time magazine. In 1991, Heinecke became a Thai citizen.