Yingluck Shinawatra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yingluck Shinawatra
MPCh MWM
|
|
|---|---|
|
ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร
|
|
Yingluck in 2012
|
|
| 28th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 5 August 2011 – 7 May 2014 |
|
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Deputy |
See list
Yongyuth Wichaidit
Surapong Tovichakchaikul Kittiratt Na-Ranong Chalerm Yubamrung Kowit Wattana Chumpol Silpa-archa Plodprasop Suraswadi Phongthep Thepkanjana Yukol Limlaemthong Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan Pracha Phromnok |
| Preceded by | Abhisit Vejjajiva |
| Succeeded by | Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan (acting) |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 30 June 2013 – 7 May 2014 |
|
| Prime Minister | Herself |
| Preceded by | Sukampol Suwannathat |
| Succeeded by | Prawit Wongsuwon |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 3 July 2011 – 9 December 2013 |
|
| Constituency | Party-list |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 June 1967 San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Citizenship | |
| Political party | Pheu Thai (2008–present) |
| Domestic partner | Anusorn Amornchat (1995–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
|
| Education |
|
| Signature |  |
| Nickname | Pou (ปู) |
Yingluck Shinawatra (born 21 June 1967) is a Thai businesswoman and politician. She served as the 28th prime minister of Thailand from 2011 to 2014. Yingluck was Thailand's first female prime minister and the youngest in over 60 years. She was removed from office in May 2014 by a court decision.
Born into a wealthy family in Chiang Mai Province, Yingluck studied public administration at Chiang Mai University and Kentucky State University. She then worked as an executive in businesses started by her older brother, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was also a prime minister of Thailand. He was removed from power by a military coup in 2006.
In 2011, the Pheu Thai Party, which is connected to Thaksin, chose Yingluck as their candidate for prime minister. She promised to bring people together, reduce poverty, and lower business taxes. She won the election by a lot. After protests against her government in late 2013, she asked for new elections. However, a court removed her from office in May 2014. She was accused of misusing her power. After a military coup in May 2014, Yingluck was arrested and held for a few days. She later left Thailand. In September 2017, she was found guilty in her absence and sentenced to five years in prison. In March 2024, she was found not guilty of other corruption charges.
Contents
Early Life and Business Career
Yingluck was born on 21 June 1967 in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand. She is the youngest of nine children. Her father was a businessman and a member of parliament. Her family has Chinese roots. On her mother's side, she is related to the old royal family of Chiang Mai.
Yingluck grew up in Chiang Mai. She went to Regina Coeli College and Yupparaj College. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration in 1988. In 1991, she received a master's degree in public administration from Kentucky State University in the United States.
Starting a Business Career
Yingluck started her career in 1993 at Shinawatra Directories Co., Ltd. This company published telephone directories. She later became a director there. In 1994, she became the general manager of Rainbow Media. This company was a part of International Broadcasting Corporation.
She became the CEO of Advanced Info Service (AIS) in 2002. AIS is Thailand's biggest mobile phone company. After Shin Corporation, AIS's parent company, was sold, Yingluck left AIS. But she stayed as managing director of SC Asset Co Ltd. This company develops properties for the Shinawatra family. She was investigated about selling shares before the company was sold. However, no charges were filed against her.
Political Journey
Forming the Pheu Thai Party
In 2008, the People's Power Party was dissolved by a court. Its members then formed the Pheu Thai Party. Yingluck was asked to become the party's leader. But she said no, wanting to focus on her business. Yongyuth Wichaidit became the party leader instead.
At first, Yingluck did not want a big role in the party. But later, she became more confident. She spoke about the party's plans and goals. She seemed much more ready for politics.
Leading the Pheu Thai Party
In May 2011, the Pheu Thai party chose Yingluck as their top candidate for prime minister. This was for the parliamentary election on 3 July. Her brother, Thaksin, supported her strongly. He said she could make decisions for him.
2011 Election and Becoming Prime Minister
Election Promises
Pheu Thai's campaign slogan was "Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts." Yingluck's main goal was to bring people together. This was after a long period of political problems in Thailand. She promised to help a group that investigated past killings.
Yingluck also suggested a general pardon for political events since 2006. This could help heal divisions. She said it was not to help any one person. The government at the time disagreed.
She also had plans to help people escape poverty. She promised to lower business taxes. She also wanted to raise the minimum wage for workers. For farmers, she planned to give loans based on a guaranteed rice price. She also wanted to provide free public Wi-Fi. And she aimed to give a tablet computer to every school child.
Election Results
The election results showed a big win for Pheu Thai. They won 265 seats out of 500 in parliament. This was 47 percent of the vote. It was only the second time a single party won more than half the seats in Thailand. The United Nations and Aung San Su Kyi praised the election.
Yingluck quickly formed a group of parties to work together. This gave her about 300 seats in parliament. The military leaders said they accepted the election results. They would not interfere.
Prime Minister (2011–2014)
On 5 August 2011, the parliament voted for Yingluck Shinawatra to be the new Prime Minister. 296 members voted for her. King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially appointed her on 8 August.
Yingluck formed her cabinet on 9 August. She and her ministers took their oath on 10 August. Her government then presented its plans to the National Assembly. Key members of her team included Yongyuth Wichaidit as Interior Minister.
Her government set a minimum wage of 300 baht per day. This helped increase daily earnings for many people. It also led to more spending and income. In 2013, a plan for civil unions for same-sex couples was presented. But it did not pass before the 2014 coup.
Polls showed that her cabinet was seen as good at managing the economy. Yingluck herself was very popular.
2011 Floods
In 2011, Thailand had the most rainfall in 50 years. Flooding started in northern Thailand in July. It quickly spread to the central Chao Phraya River area. By October, the province of Ayutthaya was almost completely flooded. These were the worst floods in over 50 years.
Yingluck set up a system to watch the floods and help people. She visited flooded areas starting in August. She also promised to build new drainage canals to prevent future floods. Managing the floods was hard because people sometimes argued over flood barriers. Yingluck did not declare a state of emergency. Instead, she used a disaster warning law. This gave her government more power to control the floods.
Changes in Government
.jpg)
On 18 January 2012, Yingluck changed some of her cabinet members. She moved six members to new jobs. She also named ten new ministers and deputies. Nine members left the government. These changes were made to strengthen her government. They also reacted to some unhappiness about how the floods were handled. In June 2013, she changed her cabinet again. She also took on the role of Minister of Defence herself.
2013-2014 Protests and Removal from Office
On 9 December 2013, Yingluck dissolved parliament. She called for early elections because of anti-government protests.
On 7 May 2014, the Constitutional Court removed Yingluck from office. This was because she had moved a security chief from his job in 2011. The court said this was against the constitution. So, Yingluck was removed as prime minister and defence minister. A few weeks later, a military coup happened in Thailand.
Rice Scheme Investigation
Yingluck was investigated about her role in a government rice program. This was by Thailand's anti-corruption agency. She was the chairperson of the rice committee. She admitted she had not attended meetings of the committee.
On 8 May 2014, the National Anti-Corruption Commission decided to charge Yingluck. This was about the rice program. In January 2016, her trial began.
On 25 August 2017, Yingluck did not appear in court for the verdict. An arrest warrant was issued for her. She reportedly left the country before the judgment. In September 2017, she was found guilty in her absence. She was sentenced to five years in prison for not doing her duty.
However, on 4 March 2024, the Supreme Court of Thailand found Yingluck not guilty. This was for other corruption charges related to infrastructure projects. In April 2024, the anti-corruption agency decided not to challenge this decision.
Personal Life
Yingluck's nickname is Pou, which means "crab" in Thai.
She has one son with her partner, Anusorn Amornchat. Anusorn was an executive at a large company. Her sister, Yaowapha, is married to former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.
In 2014, Yingluck's passports were cancelled by the military government. She was rumored to be in London. In 2019, she was given citizenship by the government of Serbia. Reports also said she obtained a Cambodian passport. In July 2025, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed she was using a Cambodian passport.
Honours
Yingluck has received several royal decorations from Thailand:
- Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant: 6 April 2012
- Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand: 20 March 2012
- The Boy Scout Citation Medal (First Class)
She also holds the rank of Volunteer Defense Corps General.
See also
In Spanish: Yingluck Shinawatra para niños
- Pheu Thai Party
- Yingluck cabinet
- List of elected or appointed female heads of government
