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61-706: Thaksin Shinawatra (born 26 July 1949) is a Thai politician and businessman who served as the 23rd prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006. Thaksin founded the mobile phone operator Advanced Info Service and the IT and telecommunications conglomerate Shin Corporation in 1987, ultimately making him one of the richest people in Thailand. He founded the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) in 1998 and, after

122-563: A coup in 1933. The longest-serving prime minister was Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram at 14 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The shortest was Thawi Bunyaket at just 18 days. Nine were removed by coups d'état , three were disqualified by court order, and eleven resigned from office. The youngest ever to occupy office was M.R. Seni Pramoj at 40 years old. Thailand received its first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra , in 2011. Every prime minister since Manopakorn Nititada has been Buddhist. The current 2017 constitution states that

183-625: A Cabinet reshuffle. Many have claimed that Thaksin's move was designed to help give Chamlong Srimuang a boost in the June 1996 Bangkok Governor elections, which Chamlong returned from retirement to contest. But Chamlong lost to Bhichit Rattakul, an independent. Chamlong's failure to buttress the PDP's failing power base in Bangkok amplified divisions in the PDP, particularly between Chamlong's "temple" faction and Thaksin's. Soon afterwards, Chamlong announced he

244-428: A common sense understanding, (2) the accounting explanation may have minor changes but the important information remains unchanged and has been edited to make it clearer, (3) It is not shown that there have been any instances where a minister or individual who submitted the accounting has stated that they did not show the asset list because they used another person's name as a substitute, citing that they did not understand

305-490: A computer rental business. In 1987 Thaksin resigned from the police. He then marketed a romance drama called Baan Sai Thong , which became a popular success in theatres. In 1988, he joined Pacific Telesis to operate and market the PacLink pager service, a modest success, though Thaksin later sold his shares to establish his own paging company. In 1989, he launched IBC, a cable television company. At that time, Thaksin had

366-507: A data networking service, Shinawatra DataCom, today known as Advanced Data Network and owned by AIS and TOT . Many of Thaksin's businesses were later consolidated as Shin Corporation . Advanced Info Service (AIS) was given a monopoly contract by Thaksin's military contacts in 1986 and used the GSM-900 frequency band. AIS grew rapidly and became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand. The Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group

427-885: A gas station, and a car and motorcycle dealership. By the time Thaksin was born, the Shinawatra family was one of the richest and most influential families in Chiang Mai. Thaksin was born in San Kamphaeng , Chiang Mai Province . He is a Theravada Buddhist . He lived in the village of San Kamphaeng until he was 15, then moved to Chiang Mai to study at Montfort College . At 16, he helped run one of his father's cinemas. Thaksin married Potjaman Damapong in July 1976. They have one son, Panthongtae and two daughters, Pinthongtha and Paethongtarn . They divorced in 2008. Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra ( Thai : ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร ; RTGS :  yinglak chinnawat ),

488-568: A good relationship with Chalerm Yoobumrung, the minister of the Prime Minister's Office, who was in charge of Thai press and media. It is a question whether Chalerm granted the right to Thaksin to establish IBC to benefit his close friend, seeing that the project had been denied by the previous administration. However, it turned out to be a money loser and he eventually merged the company with the CP Group's UTV. In 1989, Thaksin established

549-466: A landslide electoral victory, became prime minister in 2001. He was the first democratically elected prime minister of Thailand to serve a full term and was re-elected in 2005 by an overwhelming majority. Thaksin declared a "war on drugs" in which more than 2,500 people were killed. Thaksin's government launched programs to reduce poverty, expand infrastructure, promote small and medium-sized enterprises, and extend universal healthcare coverage. Thaksin took

610-582: A landslide in the 2005 general election , which had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. Twelve years later, after Thaksin was removed from power, Chamlong Srimuang expressed regret at getting "such a corrupt person" into politics. The PDP soon withdrew from the government over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal, causing the government of Chuan Leekpai to collapse. Chamlong, strongly criticised for mishandling internal PDP politics in

671-531: A massive program of infrastructure investment, including roads, public transit, and Suvarnabhumi Airport . Nevertheless, public sector debt fell from 57 percent of GDP in January 2001 to 41 percent in September 2006. Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen, with Transparency International 's Corruption Perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 and 2005. The Thai Rak Thai party won in

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732-573: A populist platform often attributed to Somkid , TRT promised universal access to healthcare, a three-year debt moratorium for farmers, and one million baht locally managed development funds for all Thai villages. After Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai dissolved parliament in November 2000, TRT won a sweeping victory in the January 2001 elections , the first held under the Constitution of 1997. At

793-523: A strong-arm approach against the separatist insurgency in the Muslim southern provinces . His decision to sell shares in his corporation for more than a billion tax-free US dollars generated controversy. A protest movement against Thaksin, called People's Alliance for Democracy or "Yellow Shirts", launched mass demonstrations , accusing him of corruption, abuse of power, and autocratic tendencies. In 2006 Thaksin called snap elections that were boycotted by

854-428: A very significant role in an otherwise absolutist system. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn , Prince Damrong Rajanubhab took over this role. In fact, the office most considered the precursor of that of the prime minister was the ancient office of Samuha Nayok (สมุหนายก), which was run by an Akkhra Maha Senabodi (อัครมหาเสนาบดี) or "chief minister in charge of civilian affairs". The first prime minister of Siam

915-425: A year afterward. If found guilty, Thaksin could be banned from political office for five years. This case is known as the "stock hiding case" because the Constitution prohibits politicians and their spouses from holding shares in private companies as per the law. However, Thaksin transferred the shares he owned to his domestic staff and other nominees in order to conceal his ownership. According to his own testament in

976-667: Is not his responsibility to submit the accounting before the announcement of the use of the organic law on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption Act, B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999), which was just announced on November 18, B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999) and (6) in the confidential letter dated November 14, 24, and 30th, B.E. 2543 (A.D. 2000) to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the accused (Thaksin Shinawatra) had already explained

1037-659: Is said to have entered politics in 2011 at her brother's request as leader of the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party . She was later elected prime minister on 3 July 2011. Thaksin received a doctorate in criminology at Sam Houston State University . Thaksin lectured at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of Mahidol University in 1979. Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School , and

1098-621: Is the head of government of Thailand . The prime minister is also the chair of the cabinet of Thailand . The post has existed since the Siamese Revolution of 1932 , when the country became a constitutional monarchy . Prior to the 2014 coup d'état , the prime minister was nominated by a vote in the Thai House of Representatives by a simple majority, and is then appointed and sworn in by the King of Thailand . The house's selection

1159-497: Is the duty of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand to submit the name considered most worthy for the king to formalize. The nominee and eventual prime minister is always the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the majority coalition formed after an election. Under the junta, until 2019, the nominee for the office was selected by National Legislative Assembly , with

1220-407: Is usually based on the fact that either the prime minister is the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the largest coalition of parties. In accordance with the 2017 Constitution, the Prime Minister can hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The current prime minister is Paetongtarn Shinawatra , who took office on 16th August 2024 after

1281-620: The Government House of Thailand ( ทำเนียบรัฐบาล ) in the Dusit area of Bangkok . The official residence of the prime minister is the Phitsanulok Mansion ( บ้านพิษณุโลก ), in the center of Bangkok. The mansion was built during the reign of King Vajiravudh . It became an official residence in 1979. The mansion is rumored to have many ghosts, therefore most prime ministers live in their private residences and only use

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1342-532: The People's Power Party that ruled in 2008 and its successor organisation Pheu Thai Party , as well as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or "Red Shirt" movement. His younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra was prime minister from 2011 to 2014, and his youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been the prime minister since 2024. Later in exile, Thaksin registered a Clubhouse account under

1403-455: The populist Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party in 1998. After a historic election victory in 2001 , he became prime minister, the country's first to serve a full term. Thaksin introduced a range of policies to alleviate rural poverty. Highly popular, they helped reduce poverty by half in four years. He launched the country's first universal healthcare program, the 30-baht scheme , as well as a notorious drug suppression campaign. Thaksin embarked on

1464-645: The 1860s and settled in Chiang Mai in 1908. His eldest son, Chiang Saekhu, was born in Chanthaburi in 1890 and married a local named Saeng Samana. Chiang's eldest son, Sak, adopted the Thai surname Shinawatra in 1938 because of the country's pro-Central Thai movement , and the rest of the family also adopted it. Seng Saekhu had made his fortune through tax farming . Chiang Saekhu/Shinawatra later founded Shinawatra Silks and then moved into finance, construction, and property development. Thaksin's father, Loet,

1525-507: The House of Representatives having been abolished. Under the constitution written by the junta, the prime minister is currently appointed by the full National Assembly , including the military-appointed Senate . The prime minister is the de facto chair of the Cabinet of Thailand . The appointment and removal of ministers can only be made with their advice. As the leader of the government,

1586-770: The Office of the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board , the Office of Public Sector Development Commission, and the Internal Security Operations Command . Legislatively all money bills introduced in the National Assembly must require the prime minister's approval. The prime minister can be removed by a vote of no confidence . This process can be evoked, firstly with

1647-578: The Policy and Planning Sub-division, General Staff Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau, before resigning his commission in 1987 as a Police Lieutenant Colonel and leaving the police. His former wife, Potjaman Damapong , is the sister of Police General Priewpan Damapong and now uses her mother's maiden name. He was a former university lecturer at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in 1975–1976. Thaksin's police lieutenant colonel rank

1708-406: The Prime Minister shall hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The term limit was the subject of legal challenge in 2022 after there were debates of how to count the term. The Constitutional Court ruled 6–3 that the term would be counted from the promulgation of the 2017 constitution, so that Prayut Chan-o-cha was allowed to continue his premiership despite having held

1769-556: The Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand released a final report after two years of work, stating that all political crises were caused by the "Thaksin stock hiding case" in which the Constitutional Court acted unlawfully. Seven judges of the Constitutional Court ruled that Thaksin Shinawatra was guilty of the charges, while six other judges ruled that he was not guilty. However, the Constitutional Court then included

1830-459: The accounting explanation and (4) although the organic law on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption Act, B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999) was announced on November 18, B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999), the accused has the responsibility to submit the accounting according to the current constitution from the day it is mandated, which is October 11, B.E. 2540 (A.D. 1997). Later, the Constitutional Court ruled 8 to 7 that Thaksin Shinawatra did not have any intention in

1891-654: The ailing iTV television station from the Crown Property Bureau , Nation Multimedia Group , and Siam Commercial Bank . Thaksin entered politics in late 1994 through Chamlong Srimuang , who had just reclaimed the position of Palang Dharma Party (PDP) leader from Boonchu Rojanastien . In a subsequent purge of Boonchu-affiliated PDP cabinet ministers, Thaksin was appointed Foreign Minister in December 1994, replacing Prasong Soonsiri . Thaksin left Palang Dharma along with many of its MPs in 1996, and founded

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1952-726: The constitution, lead the cabinet in announcing the government's policy statement in front of a joint session of the National Assembly, within fifteen days of being sworn in. The prime minister is also directly responsible for many departments. These include the National Intelligence Agency, the Bureau of the Budget, the Office of the National Security Council, the Office of the Council of State,

2013-442: The constitutional court, his reasons for failing to reveal his complete asset include: (1) the constitution does not define the term "personal property", (2) the accounting explanation is not clear, (3) not showing the property using another person's name as a substitute, which was not previously required to be shown, is not considered a violation, (4) not intentionally not showing the list of property using another person's name, (5) it

2074-635: The elections, winning only one seat, and soon imploded, with most members resigning. On 15 August 1997, Thaksin became Deputy Prime Minister in Chavalit Yongchaiyudh 's government, after the Thai baht was floated and devalued on 2 July 1997, sparking the Asian financial crisis . He held the position for only three months, leaving on 14 November when Chavalit resigned. During a censure debate on 27 September 1997, Democrat Suthep Thaugsuban accused Thaksin of profiting from insider information about

2135-675: The government's decision to float the baht, but the next Democrat party-led government did not investigate the accusations. During this period, Thaksin also served on the Asia Advisory Board of the Washington, D.C. based Carlyle Group until he resigned upon becoming Prime Minister in 2001. Thaksin founded the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) ('Thais Love Thais') party in 1998 along with Somkid Jatusripitak , PDP ally Sudarat Keyuraphan , Purachai Piumsomboon, and 19 others. With

2196-456: The house for official business. Several deputy prime ministers of Thailand ( รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ) can be appointed. This position can be combined with other ministerial portfolios. San Kamphaeng District San Kamphaeng borders the districts (from west clockwise) Saraphi , Mueang Chiang Mai , San Sai , Doi Saket , Mae On of Chiang Mai Province and Ban Thi of Lamphun province . The district dates back to khwaeng Mae Om, which

2257-483: The idea of a separate head of government in Thailand is not new. Prior to 1932, Thailand was ruled by absolute monarchs , who acted as both the head of state and the government. However, during the middle and latter reigns of the Chakri Dynasty , several individuals were perceived to hold a post equivalent to a head of government . During the reign of King Mongkut , Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse had

2318-680: The introduction of universal healthcare, allowing him to gather the hitherto-neglected support of the rural poor, especially in the populous northeast. His cabinet consisted of a broad coalition of academics, former student leaders, and former leaders of the Palang Dharma Party , including Prommin Lertsuridej , Chaturon Chaisang, Prapat Panyachatraksa , Surapong Suebwonglee, Somkid Jatusripitak , Surakiart Sathirathai , and Sudarat Keyuraphan . Traditional regional power brokers also flocked to his government. However, his government

2379-564: The last days of the Chuan-government, retired from politics and hand-picked Thaksin as new PDP leader. Thaksin ran for election for the first time for the constitutional tribunal and lost. Thaksin joined the government of Banharn Silpa-Archa and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Bangkok traffic. In May 1996, he and four other PDP ministers quit the Banharn Cabinet (while retaining their MP seats), prompting

2440-566: The list of assets and debts and the reasons why they were not shown in the accounting, considering the notification of additional asset lists as part of the three times submitted accounting. While Klanarong Jantik, the Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission-NACC, argued in the court that (1) although the constitution does not define the term "personal property", but it is

2501-450: The matter. This ruling may have been influenced by public pressure against the Constitutional Court because at the time, Thaksin was very popular and some believed he should have been given the opportunity to govern the country. However, there is still a part of society that is skeptical of the court's decision and sees Thaksin as disrupting the justice process, leading to the complaint and removal of four Constitutional Court judges. In 2011,

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2562-427: The members of the House of Representatives. Then after a simple majority vote in the house, a resolution will be passed and submitted to the king, who will then make a formal appointment by giving his royal assent to the resolution. This must take place within thirty days after the beginning of the first session of the House of Representatives after an election. If no candidate can be found within this time period, then it

2623-525: The name "Tony Woodsome", which became his moniker, and frequently held activities on the platform. He also made several announcements expressing his desire to return to Thailand on various social media platforms. Ultimately, Thaksin returned to Thailand on 22 August 2023, and was promptly taken into custody. Thaksin's great-grandfather, Seng Saekhu (Khu Chun Seng 丘春盛), was an ethnic Chinese Hakka immigrant from Fengshun , Guangdong, China, who arrived in Siam in

2684-673: The opposition and invalidated by the Constitutional Court . Thaksin was deposed in a military coup on 19 September 2006 . His party was outlawed and he was barred from political activity. Thaksin lived in self-imposed exile for 15 years—except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008—before returning to Thailand in August 2023. During his exile he was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for abuse of power, and stripped of his Police Rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel. From abroad, he continued to influence Thai politics through

2745-469: The position since the 2014 coup. According to the 2007 constitution , The prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand must be a member of the House of Representatives. Therefore, the qualifications for the office of prime minister are the same as the qualifications for membership in the house. Prior to the 2014 coup d'état , to be appointed, the nominee for the office must have the support of one-fifth of

2806-409: The prime minister is therefore ultimately responsible for the failings and performance of their ministers and the government as a whole. The prime minister cannot hold office for a consecutive period of more than eight years. As the most visible member of the government, the prime minister represents the country abroad and is the main spokesperson for the government at home. The prime minister must, under

2867-549: The removal of Srettha Thavisin . The office of the "President of the People's Committee " ( ประธานคณะกรรมการราษฎร ), later changed to "Prime Minister of Siam" ( นายกรัฐมนตรีสยาม ), was first created in the Temporary Constitution of 1932 . The office was modeled after the prime minister of the United Kingdom , as Siam became a parliamentary democracy in 1932 after a bloodless revolution . However,

2928-1799: The rural majority, initiating programs like village-managed microcredit development funds, low-interest agricultural loans, direct injections of cash into village development funds (the SML scheme), infrastructure development, and the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) rural, small, and medium enterprise development program. Prime minister of Thailand Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The prime minister of Thailand ( Thai : นายกรัฐมนตรี , RTGS :  Nayok Ratthamontri , pronounced [nāː.jók rát.tʰā.mōn.trīː] ; literally 'chief minister of state')

2989-405: The smaller Seritham Party (14 seats). Thaksin became Prime Minister of Thailand on 9 February 2001. Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) submitted an indictment to the Constitutional Court accusing Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister-in-waiting at the time, for failing to disclose assets worth about 2.37 billion baht ($ 56 million) while he was deputy prime minister in 1997 and

3050-567: The time, some academics called it the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history. Thai Rak Thai won 248 parliamentary seats (more than any other party previously) and needed only three more seats to form a government. Nonetheless, Thaksin opted for a broad coalition to gain total control and avoid a vote of no confidence, with the Chart Thai Party (41 seats) and the New Aspiration Party (36 seats), while absorbing

3111-469: The vote of only one-fifth of the members of the House of Representatives for a debate on the matter. Then after the debate a vote is taken and with a simple majority the prime minister can be removed. This process cannot be repeated within one parliamentary session. The prime minister is aided in his work by the Office of the Prime Minister ( สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ) a cabinet-level department headed usually by two ministers of state . These offices are housed in

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3172-415: The votes of the two judges who had ruled that the case was not within their jurisdiction, but had not ruled on the substance of the case, and added them to the votes of the six judges who had ruled that Thaksin was not guilty. This resulted in a ruling of 8 to 7 in favor of Thaksin, which was perceived as a violation of the law and led to public mistrust of the judicial process in Thailand. Thaksin Shinawatra

3233-457: Was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , a judge. The title of the office was changed from "Prime Minister of Siam " to "Prime Minister of Thailand " in 1945 and then permanently with the renaming of Siam to Thailand in 1949. For most of its existence, the office has been occupied by Army leaders; sixteen out of thirty. Military dominance began with the country's second prime minister, Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena , who ousted his civilian predecessor in

3294-534: Was born in Chiang Mai in 1919 and married Yindi Ramingwong. Yindi's father, Charoen Ramingwong (born: Wang Chuan Cheng), was a Chinese Hakka immigrant who married Princess Chanthip na Chiangmai, a minor member of the Lanna (Chiang Mai) royalty . In 1968, Loet Shinawatra entered politics and became an MP for Chiang Mai. Loet Shinawatra quit politics in 1976. He opened a coffee shop, grew oranges and flowers in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng District , and opened two cinemas,

3355-404: Was established in 1902. In 1923 the district was renamed San Kamphaeng. The district is divided into 10 sub-districts ( tambons ), which are further subdivided into 100 villages ( mubans ). There are two townships ( thesaban tambons ). San Kamphaeng covers parts of tambons San Kamphaeng and Chae Chang, and the entire tambon Sai Mun. Ton Pao covers the entire tambon of Ton Pao. There are

3416-501: Was founded in 1987 and listed in 1990. In 1990, Thaksin founded Shinawatra Satellite, which has developed and operated four Thaicom communications satellites. In 1999, the Shinawatra family spent some one billion baht establishing Shinawatra University in Pathum Thani . It offers international programs in engineering, architecture, and business management, though it ranks quite low internationally. In 2000, Thaksin acquired

3477-488: Was increasingly accused of dictatorship, demagogy , corruption, conflicts of interest, human rights offences, acting undiplomatically, using legal loopholes and displaying hostility towards a free press . A highly controversial leader, he has also been the target of numerous allegations of lèse majesté , treason, usurping religious and royal authority, selling assets to international investors, and religious desecration . Thaksin's government designed its policies to appeal to

3538-524: Was retiring again from politics. Thaksin and the PDP pulled out of the Banharn-government in August 1996. In a subsequent no-confidence debate, the PDP gave evidence against the Banharn government, and in September 1996 Banharn dissolved Parliament. Thaksin announced he would not run in the subsequent November 1996 elections but would remain as leader of the PDP. It suffered a fatal defeat in

3599-550: Was revoked in September 2015. Thaksin and his wife began several businesses while he was still in the police, including a silk shop, a cinema, and an apartment building. All were failures which left him over 50 million baht in debt, (£1 million). In 1982, he established ICSI. Using his police contacts, he leased computers to government agencies with modest success. However, later ventures in security systems (SOS) and public bus radio services (Bus Sound) all failed. In April 1986, he founded Advanced Info Service (AIS), which started as

3660-492: Was the first prime minister of Thailand to complete a full term in office, and his rule is generally agreed to have been one of the most distinctive in the country's modern history. He initiated many eye-catching policies that distinguished him from his predecessors. They affected the economy, public health, education, energy, social order, drug suppression and international relations. He gained one re-election victory. Thaksin's most effective policies were reducing rural poverty and

3721-689: Was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Graduating in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police . He received a master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas . Returning to Thailand, he reached the position of Deputy Superintendent of

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