Jigme Thinley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jigme Thinley
འཇིགས་མེད་འོད་ཟེར་འཕྲིན་ལས
Thinley in 2012
2nd Prime Minister of Bhutan
In office 9 April 2008 – 28 April 2013
Monarch	Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Preceded by	Kinzang Dorji
Succeeded by	Sonam Tobgye (as Chief Advisor)
In office 30 August 2003 – 18 August 2004
Monarch	Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Preceded by	Khandu Wangchuk
Succeeded by	Yeshey Zimba
In office 20 July 1998 – 9 July 1999
Monarch	Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Preceded by	Jigme Palden Dorji
Succeeded by	Sangay Ngedup
Personal details
Born	(1952-09-09) 9 September 1952 (age 72) Bumthang, Bhutan
Political party	Independent (Before 2007) Peace and Prosperity Party (2007–present)
Spouse	Aum Rinsy Dem ​ (died 2018)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Pennsylvania State University, St. Stephen's College, Delhi

Lyonpo Jigme Yoser Thinley (born 9 September 1952) is a well-known politician from Bhutan. He served as the Prime Minister of Bhutan three times. His terms were from 1998 to 1999, 2003 to 2004, and then from 2008 to 2013. He played a big part in Bhutan's move towards democracy.

About Jigme Thinley

Early Life and Education

Jigme Thinley was born in Bumthang, a beautiful area in Bhutan. He went to college in India, at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. Later, he studied in the United States at The Pennsylvania State University. After finishing his studies in 1976, he started working for the government of Bhutan. This is called joining the civil service.

Working for the Government

Thinley quickly rose through the ranks in the government. In 1987, he received a special title called Dasho and a Red Scarf. These are important honors in Bhutan.

By 1990, he became an administrator for the Eastern Zone of Bhutan. This meant he helped manage that part of the country. He then worked as a secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1994, he became the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. He also received an Orange Scarf at this time.

Later in 1994, Thinley became Bhutan's special representative to the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland. He worked with other international groups there.

Becoming Prime Minister

Before Bhutan became a democracy, Jigme Thinley was Prime Minister twice. The first time was from 1998 to 1999. The second time was from 2003 to 2004. During this period, the role of Prime Minister rotated among leaders each year.

He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2003. After that, he was the Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs.

Bhutan's First Elected Prime Minister

In March 2008, Bhutan held its very first democratic election. Jigme Thinley led a political party called Druk Phuensum Tshogpa. His party won most of the seats in the National Assembly of Bhutan. They won 45 out of 47 seats!

This big win meant that Jigme Thinley became Bhutan's first ever elected Prime Minister. He officially started his new job on 9 April 2008.

Focus on Gross National Happiness

As Prime Minister, Thinley talked a lot about "gross national happiness." This is a special idea in Bhutan. It means that the country should focus on the happiness and well-being of its people, not just on making money.

He believed that problems like the global economic crisis in 2008-2009 were caused by people wanting too much. His government worked to make decisions based on what would make people happy and healthy, rather than just economic growth.

In 2009, Thinley also joined an international advisory board for a development organization called SNV Netherlands.

Personal Life

Jigme Thinley has three children. His son, Palden, married Princess Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck on 11 November 2008.

Sadly, his wife, Aum Rinsy Dem, passed away in Bangkok on 28 November 2018.

Jigme Thinley has also received special honorary doctorates. These are degrees given to people who have achieved great things. He received them from KIIT University and the University of Louvain (UCLouvain).

See also

In Spanish: Jigme Thinley para niños