Thaksin Shinawatra
 | This article needs to be updated. (February 2025) |
Thaksin Shinawatra | |
|---|---|
ทักษิณ ชินวัตร | |
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| 23rd Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 9 February 2001 – 19 September 2006 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Chuan Leekpai |
| Succeeded by | Sonthi Boonyaratglin (Leader of the 2006 coup d'etat) |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 13 July 1995 – 8 November 1997 | |
| Prime Minister | Banharn Silpa-archa Chavalit Yongchaiyudh |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 14 June 2001 – 9 October 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | himself |
| Preceded by | Kasem Watanachai |
| Succeeded by | Suwit Khunkitti |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 25 October 1994 – 10 February 1995 | |
| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| Preceded by | Prasong Soonsiri |
| Succeeded by | Krasae Chanawongse |
| Special Economic Adviser of Cambodia | |
| In office 4 November 2009 – 23 August 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Hun Sen |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Leader of Thai Rak Thai Party | |
| In office 14 July 1998 – 2 October 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Chaturon Chaisang |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 July 1949 San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Nationality | Thai Montenegrin (2009–present) |
| Political party | Thai Rak Thai Party (1998–2006)[1] |
| Other political affiliations | Palang Dharma Party (1994–98) |
| Spouse(s) | Potjaman Na Pombejra (1976–2008)[2] |
| Children | Panthongtae Shinawatra Pintongtha Shinawatra Peathongtarn Shinawatra |
| Residence | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Alma mater | Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Royal Police Cadet Academy Eastern Kentucky University Sam Houston State University (Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Businessperson Entrepreneur Police Officer (1973–1987) Politician Visiting Professor[3] |
| Net worth | US$1.8 billion (October 2018)[4] |
| Signature |  |
Thaksin Shinawatra (born July 26, 1949) is a former Prime Minister of Thailand and founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party. He was exiled after a 2006 coup. He returned to Thailand in 2023. He was put in jail, but got parole in February 2024.[5]
Heritage and early life
[change | change source]Thaksin's great-grandfather, Seng Saekhu (Khu Chun Seng 丘春盛), was an ethnic Chinese Hakka immigrant from Fengshun, Guangdong, China. He arrived in Siam in the 1860s and settled in Chiang Mai in 1908. His oldest son, Chiang Saekhu, was born in Chanthaburi in 1890. He married a local named Saeng Samana. Chiang's oldest son, Sak, took the Thai last name Shinawatra in 1938. He did this because of the country's pro-Central Thai movement. The rest of the family also got it.[6]
Seng Saekhu made his fortune by tax farming. Chiang Saekhu/Shinawatra later founded Shinawatra Silks. Then, he moved into finance and construction. Thaksin's father, Loet, was born in Chiang Mai in 1919. He married Yindi Ramingwong. Yindi's father, Charoen Ramingwong (born: Wang Chuan Cheng), was a Chinese Hakka immigrant.[7] He married Princess Chanthip na Chiangmai, a less important member of the Lanna (Chiang Mai) royalty.[source?]
In 1968, Loet Shinawatra entered politics and became an MP for Chiang Mai. Loet Shinawatra stopped politics in 1976. He opened a coffee shop and grew oranges and flowers in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng District. He also opened two cinemas, a gas station, and a car and motorcycle dealership. The Shinawatra family was one of the richest and most influential families in Chiang Mai when Thaksin was born.[6]
In the justice system
[change | change source]He has been at the Police General Hospital for most of his time in jail (except for "a few hours"). As of September 1, 2023, He has to stay in prison for one year.[8]
In January 2024, the authorities told Thaksin that there was a warrant for him. It was for a crime (of Lese Majeste) that happened in May 2015.[9][10] Thaksin Shinawatra was charged with royal defamation on June 14.[11]
In July 2024, he asked for permission to leave the country; The authorities said "No".[12]
Education
[change | change source]- High School- Montfort college, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- University- Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School
- Master's Degree - Eastern Kentucky University, USA
- Doctor's Degree - Sam Houston State University, USA
Family
[change | change source]Shinawatra's sister, former prime minister Yingluck, went into hiding in 2017. People think she left the country to get away from the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions' ruling in her rice-pledging trial.[13]
His daughter is the 31st and current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Deposed Thai PM quits party role". CNN. 3 October 2006.
- ↑ "Thailand's deposed PM divorces wife". Channel NewsAsia. 15 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ↑ "From Bangkok to Manchester". 25 May 2007.
- ↑ "Thaksin Shinawatra". Forbes. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ↑ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2724990. Retrieved 2024-01-20
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Siam Intelligence Unit (8 August 2011). "The Shinawatra family tree". New Mandala.
- ↑ Tan, Kenneth (5 May 2018). "Former Thai leaders Yingluck, Thaksin visit ancestral village in Meizhou, Guangdong". Shanghaiist. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- ↑ https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/2639986/royal-pardon-reduces-thaksins-jail-term-to-one-year. Bangkok Post.com. Retrieved 2023-09-03
- ↑ https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/2737884/thaksin-faces-old-charge-of-lese-majeste. Retrieved 2024-02-07
- ↑ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2636835/thaksins-transfer-raises-eyebrows. Bangkop Post. Retrieved 2023-08-28
- ↑ "Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was indicted on a charge of royal defamation". AP News. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2885366/thaksin-shows-up-quietly-at-court?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2024-10-17
- ↑ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Thaksin ends silence with philosophical tweet". Bangkok Post.
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