Thaksin Shinawatra

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]

Thaksin Shinawatra GCON GCPS
ทักษิณ ชินวัตร
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	(1949-07-26) 26 July 1949 (age 76) 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

Heritage and early life

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

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

• 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

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.