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 National Security) Surayud Chulanont
Ministerial offices Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand In office 13 July 1995 – 24 May 1996 In office 28 May 1996 – 14 August 1996 In office 15 August 1997 – 8 November 1997 Minister of Foreign Affairs In office 25 October 1994 – 10 February 1995 Preceded by Prasong Soonsiri Succeeded by Krasae Chanawongse Minister of Education In office 14 June 2001 – 9 October 2001 Preceded by Kasem Watanachai Succeeded by Suwit Khunkitti
Member of the House of Representatives (Party-list)
In office 6 February 2005 – 8 April 2005
In office 6 January 2001 – 11 March 2001
Member of House of Representatives for Bangkok
In office 2 July 1995 – 27 September 1996 Serving with Supachai Panitchpakdi, Orathai Kanchanachoosak
Preceded by	Chamlong Srimuang, Suthep Attathawong, Marut Bunnag
Succeeded by	Marut Bunnag, Supachai Panitchpakdi, Sukhumbhand Paribatra
Constituency	Constituency 2
Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party
In office 14 July 1998 – 2 October 2006
Preceded by	Party founded
Succeeded by	Chaturon Chaisang (acting)
Personal details
Born	(1949-07-26) 26 July 1949 (age 76) San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Citizenship	Thailand Montenegro
Political party	Palang Dharma (1994‍–‍1998) Thai Rak Thai (1998‍–‍2007)
Spouse	Potjaman Damapong ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 2008)​
Children	Panthongtae Pintongta Paetongtarn
Relatives	Shinawatra family
Education	Royal Police Cadet Academy Eastern Kentucky University Sam Houston State University (PhD)
Signature
Police career
Department	Royal Thai Police
Rank	Police lieutenant colonel (revoked in 2015)
Criminal status	Released on parole
Criminal penalty	Served a 1-year sentence
Imprisoned at	Klong Prem Central Prison

Thaksin Shinawatra (Thai: ทักษิณ ชินวัตร, RTGS: Thaksin Chinnawat born 26 July 1949) is a Thai former politician, businessman, and police officer. He served as the 23rd prime minister of Thailand from 2001 until 2006. He also became a citizen of Montenegro in 2009.

Thaksin started successful businesses in mobile phones and telecommunications. He founded the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) in 1998. After winning elections, he became prime minister in 2001. He was the first democratically elected prime minister in Thailand to serve a full term. He was re-elected in 2005.

His government introduced programs to help people. These included reducing poverty, improving roads and buildings, supporting small businesses, and providing healthcare for everyone.

In 2006, Thaksin faced protests from a group called the People's Alliance for Democracy. They accused him of not being fair and misusing his power. He called for new elections, but the opposition parties did not participate. The elections were later cancelled by the court.

Thaksin was removed from power by a military coup on 19 September 2006. His political party was later dissolved, and he was not allowed to be involved in politics. He lived outside Thailand for many years, returning briefly in 2008. He came back to Thailand in August 2023. He served a sentence and was released on parole in February 2024. In September 2025, he began serving a one-year sentence in prison. He was released from prison in May 2026.

Even while abroad, he continued to influence Thai politics. His younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was prime minister from 2011 to 2014. His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was prime minister from 2024 until July 2025.

Who is Thaksin Shinawatra?

Thaksin Shinawatra has had a very interesting life journey. He went from being a police officer to a successful businessman. Then, he became a powerful political leader in Thailand.

Early Life and Family

Thaksin's family has Chinese roots. His great-great-grandfather, Seng Saekhu, came to Thailand in the 1860s. His family later adopted the Thai surname Shinawatra in 1938.

Thaksin's father, Loet, was born in Chiang Mai in 1919. His mother, Yindi Ramingwong, had royal family connections from Chiang Mai. By the time Thaksin was born, his family was well-known and successful in Chiang Mai.

Thaksin was born in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai Province, on 26 July 1949. He grew up in a Buddhist home. He moved to Chiang Mai at age 15 to attend Montfort College. He even helped manage one of his father’s movie theaters when he was 16. This gave him early business experience.

In 1976, Thaksin married Potjaman Damapong. They had three children: a son named Panthongtae and two daughters, Pintongta and Paetongtarn. They later divorced in 2008. Thaksin earned a doctorate degree in criminology from Sam Houston State University.

From Police Officer to Businessman

Thaksin joined the Royal Thai Police after graduating from the Thai Police Cadet Academy in 1973. He continued his studies in the United States, earning master's and doctorate degrees in criminal justice.

He worked his way up to Deputy Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Bureau. In 1987, he decided to leave the police force. He wanted to focus on starting his own businesses.

Building a Business Empire

Thaksin and his wife tried several businesses early on. Some did not succeed at first. In 1986, he founded Advanced Info Service (AIS). This company started by renting computers.

After leaving the police, Thaksin focused on his businesses. AIS grew quickly and became Thailand's largest mobile phone company. In 1987, he founded the Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group. This company was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1990.

In 1990, Thaksin also founded Shinawatra Satellite. This company developed and operated several Thaicom communication satellites. Many of Thaksin's businesses were later brought together under one large company called Shin Corporation.

Entering the World of Politics

Thaksin entered politics in 1994. He became the foreign minister in December 1994. In 1998, he founded his own political party, the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT). The party focused on helping ordinary Thai people.

Becoming Prime Minister

The Thai Rak Thai party won a big victory in the 2001 elections. Thaksin became the Prime Minister of Thailand on 9 February 2001. He was the first prime minister in Thailand to complete a full term in office. He was re-elected in 2005.

Important Policies and Changes

Thaksin's government introduced many new policies. These policies aimed to help people in rural areas. They included:

• Village Funds: Small loans for villages to manage their own development projects.
• Universal Healthcare: A program that allowed everyone to get healthcare for a low fee. This greatly increased access to medical care.
• Infrastructure: Big projects to build new roads, public transportation, and the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
• Economic Growth: Thailand's economy grew, and the country repaid its debts to the International Monetary Fund early. Poverty also decreased significantly.

Thaksin also made changes to how the government was organized. New ministries were created for areas like tourism, environment, and information technology. He also changed the role of provincial governors to make them more active in local development.

His government also worked on foreign policies. They started talks for free trade agreements with several countries. Thailand also sent a humanitarian group to Iraq.

Challenges and Changes in Government

During his time as prime minister, Thaksin faced challenges. There was ongoing unrest in the southern provinces of Thailand. His government also faced criticism regarding its leadership style.

Political Protests and Elections

In 2006, Thaksin's family sold their shares in Shin Corporation. This sale led to public debate and large protests. A group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) organized these demonstrations. They accused him of various issues related to his leadership.

Thaksin then called for new elections in April 2006. However, many opposition parties chose not to participate. The Constitutional Court of Thailand later ruled that these elections were not valid. A new election was planned for October 2006.

A Change in Leadership

Before the new elections could happen, a military group took control of the government on 19 September 2006. Thaksin was abroad at the time. The military stated reasons for their actions, including concerns about the government's operations.

After the coup, Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, was dissolved. He and other party leaders were not allowed to be involved in politics for five years. His assets in Thailand were also frozen by a special committee.

Life After Being Prime Minister

After the coup, Thaksin lived outside Thailand for many years. He continued to be a significant figure in Thai politics.

Time Abroad and Return to Thailand

In 2007, Thaksin bought the English Premier League football club Manchester City. He later sold the club in 2008.

Thaksin returned to Thailand briefly in February 2008. However, he soon left the country again. In October 2008, a Thai court sentenced him to two years in jail for certain actions he took while prime minister. He lived in self-imposed exile for many years, traveling to different countries. He also became a citizen of Montenegro.

During his time abroad, he continued to communicate with his supporters in Thailand. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also became prime minister in 2024.

Thaksin announced his intention to return to Thailand in 2023. He arrived back in Thailand on 22 August 2023. He was taken to court and then to prison to begin serving his sentence.

Serving a Sentence

On 1 September 2023, King Vajiralongkorn reduced Thaksin's sentence from eight years to one year. He was granted parole on 13 February 2024, due to his age and health. He was released from a Bangkok hospital on 18 February 2024.

In September 2025, the Supreme Court of Thailand ruled that he had not properly served his prison sentence upon his return in 2023. He was then taken to Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok to serve a one-year sentence. He was released from imprisonment in May 2026 as part of an early release program for elderly prisoners.

Ancestry

Honours, decorations and awards

National honours

The list of national honours received by Thaksin Shinawatra has been arranged as per the Thai honours order of precedence.

•  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

Revocation of royal decorations

Thaksin Shinawatra’s royal decorations were revoked in 2019 after he was found responsible for certain actions in 2008 and left Thailand. The Thai government, with royal approval, officially recalled his honors.

Foreign honours

•  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 rank

• 2007 – Visiting Professor of Takushoku University in Tokyo, Japan

Awards

• Asean Business Man of the Year, from ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), in 1992
• Telecommunication Development for Social Welfare Award of 1993 from Telecommunication Society of Thailand
• The 1993 Outstanding Telecom Man of the Year Award, honored by the Singapore Business Times as 1 of 12 Leading Asian Businessmen
• Asian CEO of the Year
• Honorary Doctor of Arts (Communication Arts) (Thammasart University, Thailand)
• First Thai to be granted "Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship" (Singapore)
• 1 of 50 Influential people in The World from Time magazine
• 1 of 3 Thai-Filipino Relations Goodwill from Ambassadors Philippines Embassy in Thailand
• Outstanding Criminal Justice Alumnus Awards from Sam Houston State University
• Distinguished Alumni Award from Sam Houston State University
• The honorary award from the Mass Media Photographer Association of Thailand
• International Forgiveness Award 2004
• Honorary doctorate degree from Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics
• The ABLF Statesman Award 2012

See also

In Spanish: Thaksin Shinawatra para niños

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