Thaksin Shinawatra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thaksin Shinawatra
ทักษิณ ชินวัตร
Thaksin in 2005
23rd Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 9 February 2001 – 19 September 2006
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	See list Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Suwit Khunkitti Dej Boonlang Pongpol Adireksarn Pitak Indravithayanond Somkid Jatusripitak Korn Dabbaransi Chaturon Chaisang Prommin Lertsuridej Wissanu Krea-ngam Purachai Piumsomboon Pokin Palakul Suchart Chaovisith Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya Wan Muhamad Noor Matha Suwat Liptapanlop Phinij Jarusombat Somsak Thepsuthin Chitchai Wannasathit Surakiart Sathirathai Suriya Juangroongruangkit Suchai Charoenratanakul
Preceded by	Chuan Leekpai
Succeeded by	Sonthi Boonyaratglin (as Head of the Council for Democratic Reform)
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
Leader of Thai Rak Thai Party
In office 14 July 1998 – 2 October 2006
Preceded by	Party established
Succeeded by	Chaturon Chaisang
Leader of Palang Dharma Party
In office 13 July 1995 – 17 November 1996
Preceded by	Boonchu Rojanastien
Succeeded by	Chamlong Srimuang
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 6 February 2005 – 7 April 2005
Constituency	Party-list
In office 6 January 2001 – 10 March 2001
Constituency	Party-list
In office 2 July 1995 – 27 September 1996
Preceded by	Chamlong Srimuang Suthep Attathawong Marut Bunnag
Succeeded by	Marut Bunnag Supachai Panitchpakdi Sukhumbhand Paribatra
Constituency	Bangkok 2nd
Member-elect of the House of Representatives
In role 2 April 2006 – 8 May 2006
Constituency	Party-list
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
Personal details
Born	(1949-07-26) 26 July 1949 (age 75) San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Nationality	Thai Montenegrin (since 2009)
Other political affiliations	Pheu Thai (de facto; since 2008) Thai Rak Thai (1998–2006) Palang Dharma (1994–1998)
Spouse	Potjaman Damapong ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 2008)​
Children	Panthongtae Pintongta Paetongtarn
Relatives	Yingluck Shinawatra (sister) Pitaka Suksawat (son-in-law) Somchai Wongsawat (brother-in-law)
Residence	Bangkok
Alma mater	Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Royal Police Cadet Academy Eastern Kentucky University Sam Houston State University (Ph.D.)
Occupation	Businessperson Police officer (1973–1987) Politician Visiting professor
Net worth	US$2 billion (July 2022)
Signature
Police career
Department	Royal Thai Police
Years of service	1973–1987
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel (revoked in 2015)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	丘達新
Simplified Chinese	丘达新
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Qiū Dáxīn Bopomofo ㄑㄧㄡˉ ㄉㄚˊ ㄒㄧㄣˉ Gwoyeu Romatzyh Chiou Darshin Wade–Giles Ch'iu1 Ta2-hsin1 Wu Shanghainese Romanization Chieu Daq-xin Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ Hiû Tha̍t-sîn Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Yāu Daaht-sān Jyutping Jau1 Daat6-san1 Canton Romanization Yeo1 Dad6-sen1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Khu Ta̍t-sin Teochew Peng'im Ku1 Dag8-sing1

Thaksin Shinawatra (born 26 July 1949) is a Thai businessman and politician. He worked for the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006.

Early Life and Family Background

Thaksin was born in San Kamphaeng, a town in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. His family was well-known and wealthy in Chiang Mai.

His father, Loet Shinawatra, was a member of parliament for Chiang Mai. After leaving politics in 1976, he became a businessman. He owned cinemas, a gas station, and a car and motorcycle shop.

Thaksin is a Theravada Buddhist. He lived in his village until he was 15 years old. Then, he moved to Chiang Mai to study at Montfort College. At 16, he helped manage one of his father's cinemas.

Thaksin married Potjaman Damapong in July 1976. They have three children: a son named Panthongtae and two daughters, Pinthongtha and Paethongtarn. They divorced in 2008. Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, also became a politician. She was elected prime minister in 2011.

Police Career and Education

Thaksin attended the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. He then joined the Thai Police Cadet Academy. After graduating in 1973, he became a police officer.

He continued his studies in the United States. He earned a master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University in 1975. Three years later, he received a doctorate in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University in Texas.

After returning to Thailand, he rose to the rank of Deputy Superintendent. He left the police force in 1987 as a Police Lieutenant Colonel. His police rank was later taken away in September 2015. He also taught as a university lecturer at the Royal Police Cadet Academy for a short time.

Business Ventures

Starting New Businesses

While still a police officer, Thaksin and his wife started several businesses. These included a silk shop, a cinema, and an apartment building. Many of these early businesses were not successful.

In 1982, he started a company called ICSI. He used his connections from the police to rent computers to government offices. This business had some success. However, other businesses he tried, like security systems and radio services for buses, did not work out.

In April 1986, he founded Advanced Info Service (AIS). This company began by renting out computers.

Focusing on Telecommunications

Thaksin left the police force in 1987. He then focused on business. He marketed a popular movie called Baan Sai Thong. In 1988, he worked with another company to offer a pager service. Later, he started his own paging company.

In 1989, he launched IBC, a cable television company. This company also faced challenges. Eventually, it joined with another company.

He also started a data networking service in 1989, which is now part of AIS. Many of Thaksin's businesses were later brought together under one large company called Shin Corporation.

Advanced Info Service and Satellites

Advanced Info Service (AIS) became a very successful mobile phone company in Thailand. It grew quickly to become the largest mobile operator.

In 1990, Thaksin founded Shinawatra Satellite. This company developed and operated four Thaicom communication satellites. These satellites help with communication services.

In 1999, his family started Shinawatra University. It offers programs in engineering, architecture, and business.

Entering the World of Politics

Early Political Roles

Thaksin entered politics in late 1994. He joined the Palang Dharma Party (PDP). He became the Foreign Minister in December 1994.

In 1996, Thaksin left the Palang Dharma Party. In 1998, he founded a new political party called Thai Rak Thai (TRT). This party focused on helping ordinary people.

Becoming Prime Minister

In the 2001 election, his Thai Rak Thai party won a big victory. Thaksin became the Prime Minister of Thailand on 9 February 2001. He was the first prime minister in Thailand to serve a full term in office.

Thaksin introduced many new policies. These policies aimed to help people in rural areas who were poor. He also started Thailand's first universal healthcare program. This program made it easier for everyone to get medical care.

His government also invested a lot in new buildings and roads. This included public transport and the Suvarnabhumi Airport. During his time, the country's debt went down. His party won another big election in 2005.

Thaksin meeting Donald Evans in December 2001

U.S. President George W. Bush meets with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand in the Oval Office Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Thaksin in a meeting with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in October 2003

Thaksin in a meeting with the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, 2004

Later Political Events

Military Coup and Exile

Thaksin was removed from power by a military coup on 19 September 2006. His political party was banned. He was not allowed to take part in political activities.

Thaksin lived outside Thailand for many years. He returned for a short visit in 2008. He came back to Thailand permanently in August 2023.

Even while abroad, he continued to influence Thai politics. His younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became the prime minister of Thailand from 2011 to 2014.

During his time away, Thaksin used social media to share his thoughts. He often used the name "Tony Woodsome" on platforms like Clubhouse. He often said he wanted to return to Thailand.

Return to Thailand

Thaksin returned to Thailand on 22 August 2023. He was taken into custody upon his arrival. He was later granted parole and a pardon in 2024.

Ancestry

Honours and Awards

National Honours from Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra received several important honours from Thailand:

• 1996 – Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1995 – Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 2001 – Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
• 2002 – Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 2003 – Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class

All these royal decorations were later taken back by King Rama X in 2019.

International Honours

Thaksin also received honours from other countries:

•  Cambodia: Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sahametrei (2001)
•  Bahrain: Member 1st Class of the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (2002)
•  Brunei: First Class of the Most Blessed Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei (2002)
•  Sweden: Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (2003)
•  Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (2004)
•  Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (2004)

Academic and Other Awards

• 2007 – Visiting Professor at Takushoku University in Tokyo, Japan
• Asean Business Man of the Year (1992)
• The 1993 Outstanding Telecom Man of the Year Award
• Asian CEO of the Year
• Honorary Doctor of Arts (Communication Arts) from Thammasart University, Thailand
• One of 50 Influential people in The World from Time magazine
• Outstanding Criminal Justice Alumnus Awards from Sam Houston State University
• International Forgiveness Award 2004
• The ABLF Statesman Award 2012

See also

In Spanish: Thaksin Shinawatra para niños

• List of prime ministers of Thailand
• Thaksinomics
• Shinawatra family