Thaksin Shinawatra is a prominent Thai politician and businessman who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 until 2006. He is one of the most influential and controversial figures in Thai politics, known for his populist policies and his polarizing impact on the country. A native of the Chiang Mai suburb of San Kamphaeng, Thaksin first came to power in a landslide in 2001. His party won 28 out of the 33 single-seat constituencies that were up for grabs in the upper north, which includes Chiang Mai as well as the city of Chiang Rai and the surrounding area. And after he was removed in a coup in 2006, the family’s appeal only increased. At the time, some even saw the prime minister and telecoms tycoon as the reincarnation of an 18th-century king known as Taksin. The so-called Red Shirt movement further deepened support for Thaksin’s brand of politics, and in the 2011 election, the north overwhelmingly backed his sister Yingluck (her government was overthrown in a 2014 coup). The Shinawatras tap into a deep if muted regional pride. The northern Lanna kingdom was annexed to Siam – as Thailand was then known – in 1899 but continued to retain some autonomy until 1939. Its different language, alphabet, and culture all remain points of pride for the local population. The family has never openly embraced local regionalism, perhaps for fear of upsetting voters in other parts of Thailand, but they have become heroes for many in a region that has long felt alienated from Bangkok. Thaksin’s policies too – providing support in areas such as education and healthcare – resonated with people who were less well-off than the traditional elites who had long dominated Thai politics. Background: Born: July 26, 1949, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Education: He studied in Thailand and the United States, earning a master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University and a doctorate in the same field from Sam Houston State University. Political Career: Thaksin founded the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party in 1998, which won a landslide victory in the 2001 general election, making him the first Prime Minister in Thai history to complete a full term. His government focused on economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting development, such as the "30 baht healthcare scheme" and village fund programs. These initiatives made him extremely popular among rural and low-income citizens. His administration was also marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses, particularly in the southern insurgency and the war on drugs. 2006 Coup and Exile: Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in September 2006 while he was abroad. Following the coup, he faced numerous legal challenges and corruption charges, which led him to live in self-imposed exile for several years. Despite his absence, Thaksin remained highly influential in Thai politics, with his supporters winning subsequent elections through affiliated parties like the People’s Power Party and Pheu Thai Party. Return to Thailand: Thaksin returned to Thailand briefly in 2008 but fled again after being sentenced to two years in prison on corruption charges. In August 2023, after years of living in various countries, Thaksin returned to Thailand amid ongoing political turmoil. His return was highly anticipated, sparking both support and opposition. Influence: Thaksin's influence on Thai politics remains significant, particularly through his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who also served as Prime Minister from 2011 until 2014 when she was ousted in another military coup. His legacy continues to be divisive in Thailand, where he is both celebrated as a champion of the rural poor and criticized as a corrupt figure who undermined democratic institutions. Thaksin's story is emblematic of the complex and often turbulent nature of Thai politics. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra Date of taking office 2001–2006 Work history 1998–2000 Founded the Thai Rak Thai Party and held the position of leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, 1996–1997 held the position of Deputy Prime Minister (Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh) Cabinet No. Cabinet No. 54: Prime Minister assumed office on 9 February 2001 by resolution of the House of Representatives. Prime Minister left office on 9 March 2005. The term of the House of Representatives ended at 4 years on 5 January 2005. Policy statement date 26 February 2001. Cabinet No. 55: Prime Minister assumed office on 9 March 2005 by resolution of the House of Representatives. Prime Minister left office on 19 September 2006 by a coup d'état led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. Policy statement date 23 March 2005. record Born: July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai Province. Nationality: Thai. Religion: Buddhist. study Montfort College, Chiang Mai Province Higher Education - 1969 Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Class 10 - 1973 Royal Police Cadet Academy, Class 26, with the highest score - Master's Degree - Received a government scholarship (Operational Service Commission scholarship), Eastern Kentucky University, United States, Criminal Justice - Doctorate - Sam Houston State University, United States, Criminal Justice "Today, Thailand has not yet escaped the economic crisis. It still needs special, dedicated administration. We cannot allow the administration to proceed as if it were normal, because the country's economy may sink so much that it will be difficult to fix." Work history 1998 - 2000 Established the Thai Rak Thai Party and served as Party Leader. 1996 - 1997 Served as Deputy Prime Minister (H.E. Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh) - Assumed the position of Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for traffic affairs (H.E. Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa) - Assumed the position of Leader of the Palang Dharma Party 1994 - 1995 Served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. 1987 - 1994 Resigned from government service to engage in private business. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shinawatra Computer Co., Ltd. 1973 - 1987 Deputy Director of Policy and Planning/ Administrative Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau. Social role Received royal grace and appointed as a distinguished member of the Senate of 6 universities, namely Ramkhamhaeng University, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Suranaree University of Technology, Chiang Mai University, Srinakharinwirot University, and Kasetsart University. Founder of Thaicom Foundation and initiated the idea to use the "Thaicom" communication satellite for educational purposes via satellite to provide opportunities for poor rural children who cannot continue their education to continue their education in their own local areas. This was done with cooperation from the Department of Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Education. Board member of the Asian Studies Institute, 1995 - present - Advisory Council member, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University - Advisory Board member, BANGKOK CLUB - Board member, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University Honorary Awards 1996 - Received the "Outstanding Criminal Justice Alumnus Awards" from the Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University and received the award "Distinguished Alumni Award" from the same university on October 5, 1996 - 1995 - Selected as 1 of 3 outstanding Thais who played an important role in strengthening good relations between Thailand and the Philippines, received the award from the Philippine Embassy. 1994 - Received the "Outstanding Person who Developed Telecommunications for Society of Thailand 1993" award from the Telecommunications Association of Thailand. - Honored by the Singapore Business Times newspaper as 1 of 12 leading businessmen in Asia. - Selected by the famous Financial World magazine of the United States as one of the Asian CEOs of the Year. Received an honorary doctorate in Journalism from Thammasat University. - Selected as the first Thai and the third person to receive the "Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship" from Singapore. 1992 - Received the "1992 Asean Business Man of the Year" award from the Asean Institute, Indonesia. - Received the "Chakdao Honor" award for economic development from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Foundation.
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