Thaksin Shinawatra

Date of Birth: July 26, 1949

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Biography

Thaksin Shinawatra is a prominent Thai politician, businessman, and former Prime Minister of Thailand. Born on July 26, 1949, in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai Province, Thaksin began his career in the police force before transitioning into the telecommunications industry, where he founded Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s largest mobile phone operator. Thaksin entered politics in the late 1990s and founded the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party in 1998. He became Prime Minister in 2001 after a landslide victory, marking the beginning of a controversial yet impactful tenure. Thaksin’s administration focused on populist policies, including universal healthcare and microcredit development funds, which garnered him significant support among rural and low-income voters. However, his tenure was also marred by allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, particularly related to the War on Drugs campaign. In 2006, Thaksin was ousted in a military coup while he was abroad. He subsequently lived in self-imposed exile, primarily in Dubai, to avoid legal charges in Thailand. Despite his absence, Thaksin remained an influential figure in Thai politics through his supporters and family members, including his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also served as Prime Minister from 2011 to 2014.

5 Interesting Facts about Thaksin Shinawatra

1. Thaksin Shinawatra was a police officer before entering the business and political arenas.

2. He founded Advanced Info Service (AIS), which became Thailand’s largest mobile phone operator.

3. Thaksin introduced Thailand’s first universal healthcare scheme, known as the “30-baht healthcare scheme.”

4. His government implemented a controversial War on Drugs, which led to thousands of deaths and drew international criticism.

5. Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, also served as Prime Minister of Thailand from 2011 to 2014.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thaksin Shinawatra

1. “My goal is to make Thailand a developed country. We must be united and work together to achieve this.”

2. “When you’re in the middle of a storm, you have to stay calm. You have to ignore the noise and focus on the essentials.”

3. “A leader must listen to the people, but also must have the courage to make tough decisions.”

4. “Politics is not about power. It’s about serving the people.”

5. “In business and in politics, the ability to adapt to changing conditions and new circumstances is crucial.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Thaksin Shinawatra’s net worth was estimated to be around $1.8 billion.

Children

Thaksin Shinawatra has three children: 1. **Panthongtae Shinawatra** – Often known as “Oak,” he has been involved in various business ventures and faced legal issues related to money laundering charges. 2. **Pinthongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong** – She has largely stayed out of the public eye and is involved in business. 3. **Paetongtarn Shinawatra** – She has been active in politics and has shown interest in continuing the family’s political legacy.