Thaksin Shinawatra was born in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and started his career in the police. He later became a successful telecom tycoon and one of the richest people in Thailand. In 1980, Thaksin married Potjaman Damapong (they divorced in 2008) and they have one son, Panthongtae and two daughters, Pintongtha and Peathongtarn.
He entered politics in 1994, and in 1998 founded the Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thai, or TRT) Party that transformed Thai politics with its highly populist policies to alleviate rural poverty. Poorer voters liked his offers of 30-baht medical care scheme and the debt relief, his nationalist platform and his contempt for the "Bangkok elite". Presenting itself as a nationalist party, at heart, the TRT is little more than a vehicle for the interests and ambitions of its founder-leader.
After a landslide election victory in 2001, Thaksin became the 23rd Prime Minister of Thailand. The first one in Thailand's history to lead a government through a full term in office and then be re-elected in another landslide. One of the most influential political figures, he was also the most polarising character in Thai politics. A populist demagogue, Thaksin manipulated the ignorant rural majority for political power. Some think that he might have been the next Hugo Chávez.
Thaksin was heavily criticised over the violent deaths of more than 2,500 people during a crackdown on drugs in 2003, where he empowered the police to be the judge, the jury and the executioner. Thailand's Corruption Commission found he had failed to declare all of his wealth, and he was also criticised over the government's handling of the upsurge in violence in the largely Muslim south.
The climax of all accusations was the abuse of power and corruption that benefited his family and political cronies, and intimidation of his critics. It's no secret that some newspapers have been neutralised by Thaksin's administration, either by choice or out of economic and political expediency. Some others that had shown resistance have seen their editors removed, one way or another, such as in the cases of the Bangkok Post and Siam Rath weekly news magazine.
On 14th November 2004, Thailand's Auditor-General Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka stated that corruption of every sort exists at unprecedented levels under the present administration. Later on, an attempted arson took place at her residence.
Yes, double standards prevail in Thailand. Sanan Kachornprasart was convicted by the Constitutional Court of concealing assets and banned from politics for five years. Two weeks later, after having one of his own people appointed to the court, Thaksin was absolved (by 8:7 split vote) of the same well documented offence. The acquittal allowed him to become the most corrupt, murderous, dictatorial and divisive prime ministers Thailand has ever known.
But above all, it was the tax-free deal in early 2006 in which Thaksin sold his family's shares in Thailand's leading telecom group, Shin Corporation, to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, netting the clan some $2 Billion, that led to Thaksin's downfall. By undermining Thai political system and its independent bodies, Thaksin lost all remnants of support of Thai political elite and Bangkok's middle class.
Amid large-scale street demonstrations, Thaksin called a snap general election for April 2006, effectively telling opponents to "put up or shut up". But main opposition parties boycotted the election and many voters chose to register a "no vote".
Faced with the threat of further protests, Thaksin said he would step down. And he did for a few weeks, but returned to office in May. On 19th September 2006, following months of political uncertainty, the military seized power while Thaksin was out of the country attending the United Nations General Assembly.
"I have no political ambitions, I am calling it quits" Thaksin pledged on several occasions including the interview to the TIME magazine on 1st Ferbruary 2007, but he didn't keep his promise... realising that his popularity among Thailand's rural poor remained sky-high, and using it to clear his name and get his hands on his frozen millions.
Assets Examination Committee froze ฿76 Billion (~$2.1 Billion) of his assets in Thailand, claiming he had become unusually wealthy while in office. Thaksin and his family have declared a total of ฿15.1 Billion in assets when he took office in 2001. To date, no legal judgments have been made yet about his wealth.
In October 2008, Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to 2-year imprisonment by the Supreme Court after he was found to have abused his power while prime minister (in 2003) by helping his then wife buy land in Bangkok's prime business area at a discounted price. Thaksin faces at least six other criminal cases of corruption, should he return to Thailand.
Lawyers representing Thaksin and Potjaman Shinawatra were found guitly and sentenced to 6-month in jail for an attempt to bribe the Supreme Court with ฿2 Million in a pastry box. The incident was disclosed on 11th June 2008 and dubbed as "PastryGate". Thaksin denied any involvement in the attempted bribery, but as with many moot things surrounding him, lots of harsh questions remain.
Thaksin's ex-wife Khunying Potjaman Damapong is currently out on a Five-Million-Baht bail while appealing her 31st June 2008 case for avoiding a tax payment of ฿546 Million.
For more information on chain of events in the aftermath of the 2006 coup d'état that overthrew Thaksin refer to: Thailand Modern History and Politics.
On 25 May 2010, Thai Criminal Court approves 'terrorism' warrant for Thaksin.
Latest News (for 2023):
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former PM of Thailand, has been living in self-exile in Dubai for 15 years. On August 22, the day he returned to Thailand, Thaksin was escorted from the Don Mueang airport to prison. He was facing an eight-year prison sentence for various cases including abuse of power.
Thaksin was jailed for about 13 hours at the Bangkok Remand Prison before being transferred to the premium ward of Police General Hospital (at the Royal Suite 1401) in Bangkok.
Later on, Thaksin, 74, received a royal pardon which reduced his eight-year jail term to one year.
Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (of the populist Pheu Thai party) urged to send Thaksin back to jail.
In May 2024, Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra faces lèse-majesté charge:
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy during a 2015 interview. Thaksin, who returned to Thailand in August 2023, faces these charges amidst political tensions.
On June 18, 2024, Thaksin Shinawatra (74) was indicted and arraigned on a charge of defaming the Thai monarchy. He was granted bail approved with a bond of 500,000 baht under the condition that he could not travel out of Thailand unless approved by the court. His passport was confiscated.
The saga of the Shinawatra family perpetuates.
On August 16, 2024, Thaksin's youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, (the Pheu Thai Party leader) was elected as Thailand's new Prime Minister to succeed Srettha Thavisin, 62, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. Paetongtarn will be Thailand's youngest prime minister and the third member of the Shinawatra family after Thaksin, 75, and Yingluck, 57, who is still in exile. 
Trio of Shinawatras Prime Ministers of Thailand
led by Thaksin
Thaksin released from his prison term
On August 17, 2024, Thaksin Shinawatra was officially released from his prison term, which he is currently on parole from, after being granted a royal pardon. His name was included among the 50,000 prisoners who received clemency as part of a royal decree issued in celebration of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on July 28, 2024.
The Royal Gazette published the announcement of the royal decree, which was countersigned by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The decree grants clemency to approximately 200,000 prisoners across Thailand, with 50,000 being released immediately. Among those granted release are around 7,500 individuals who were already on probation. Thaksin and others in this group of probationers have been freed without having to serve out their remaining sentences.
It is Official, Paetongtarn Shinawatra Thailand's Prime Minister 
Thaksin & Paetongtarn arrive at the Royal Ceremony
On August 18, 2024, Paetongtarn Shinawatra was officially endorsed as Thailand's 31st Prime Minister by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This momentous occasion occurred at Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Vibhavadi Road, marking Paetongtarn's formal entry into the nation's highest office.
Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pledged to avoid the political disasters plaguing her father and aunt. Addressing the media for the first time after her royal endorsement yesterday, the 37 year old Thai premier made a bold promise to dodge the fate of Thaksin and Yingluck.
With her family’s legacy looming large, Paetongtarn’s promise to break the cycle of political strife is set to be one of the most-watched stories in Thai politics. She is now leading a coalition government that includes military parties, also.
Legal action appears imminent for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following allegations of his unlawful involvement in recent political activities while on parole.
Thaksin, who is often viewed as the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, hosted a secretive meeting at his home with coalition party leaders just hours after Pheu Thai’s Srettha Thavisin was ousted as Prime Minister by the Constitutional Court. This gathering resulted in the nomination of Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as a prime ministerial candidate.
The Election Commission might probe into the clandestine meeting at Thaksin's Chan Song Lah residence, involving key coalition members Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai and Thammanat Prompao of Palang Pracharath, which is prohibited from engaging in political activities while on parole.
Thaksin may face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Also, the political parties of the meeting attendees could face dissolution, and their executives may be banned from holding political positions for a decade.
Adding to his legal woes, Thaksin attended a Criminal Court hearing today (August 20) regarding a lèse-majesté lawsuit linked to comments he made about the 2006 coup that ousted him, during an interview in South Korea in 2015. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from three to 15 years.
Thaksin's Lèse-Majesté Trial Set for July 2025
Thaksin's Certificate of Innocence
Thaksin to receive certificate of innocence following his release under royal pardon. The process to issue Thaksin’s certificate of innocence, which allows him to travel abroad, involves coordination between provincial governors, prison chiefs, judges, and prosecutors.
A certificate of innocence is issued to someone awaiting trial … Only in Thailand.
Does a royal pardon constitute an evidence of innocence?
Thaksin is no longer “former PM” he is now “de facto leader.”
Fresh lawsuits have been filed with the Constitutional Court via the Election Commission, seeking the removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. The lawsuits claim that Thaksin orchestrated Paetongtarn's appointment and that she did not adhere to constitutional and political party laws.
These legal actions also call for the dissolution of the Pheu Thai party, the main faction in the current coalition government. Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai party are accused of being under Thaksin’s undue influence, who cannot legally participate in the party and is suspected of manipulating key decisions, including those that led to former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's downfall.
If found guilty of violating political ethics, Paetongtarn and the entire Pheu Thai executive board, along with all cabinet members, could be banned from holding political office for several years. The legal precedent set by Srettha’s impeachment serves as a basis for the new lawsuits, which could dramatically alter the Thai political landscape.
Paetongtarn and her newly formed cabinet are scheduled to participate in official ceremonies with King Maha Vajiralongkorn, including an audience, formal appointment, and an oath-taking ceremony, set to occur in the middle of September 2024, before they commence their governance duties.
The whole point of allowing Thaksin back was to enable the Pheu Thai Party to team up with the establishment in opposition to the Move Forward Party. The last thing the elite wants is for Pheu Thai to change sides and side with what is now the People's Party.  Many of Thaksin's enemies over the last twenty years, the generals, senators, etc. are grinding their teeth at seeing the puppet master gleefully pulling the strings once again.
Move Forward Party would have begun to dismantle the patronage network. Just look at the cabinet MPs for this new Paetongtarn government, it is the same old cronies, the same old names and faces. Even the Democrat Party has joined up with their lifelong enemies.
At this rate, Thailand can pretty much say goodbye to foreign investment. Nobody is going to invest in such an unstable political environment. Mass Exodus of capital to more stable countries is bound to accelerate with this never-ending battle between the Elites.
Thais have known Thaksin's character for decades: his arrogance, hubris, and need for acclaim. And above all, the need to dominate. Does somebody expect him to come home just to play with his grandchildren?
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Wednesday, September 4, endorsed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new cabinet.
- Published in the Royal Gazette -
The 35-member cabinet, excluding the prime minister, represents six coalition parties and one political group. The Pheu Thai party, led by Paetongtarn, secured 16 ministers across 20 positions. Seven newcomers joined the cabinet, while 23 ministers were from the previous government. The new cabinet is set to be sworn in on September 6, 2024.
PM pressured over Thaksin's alleged hospital fake-out. (September 18, 2024)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is in a precarious position. Her political career hanging in the balance due to legal issues surrounding her father, Thaksin Shinawatra. The complication arises from allegations that Thaksin, the influential figure behind the Pheu Thai party, faked a critical illness to avoid jail time by staying at the Police Hospital in Bangkok.
Unveiled a new bill to regulate cannabis (marijuana) while keeping it legal, comes from PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Lawyer Warns Entire Paetongtarn Cabinet Could Face Impeachment
The warning was issued in a Facebook post by a former assistant to Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan. The complaint alleges that the policy statement delivered in Parliament by PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra on September 12 contravened Article 162 of the Constitution by failing to specify the sources of revenue to cover the proposed expenses.
No doubt who's behind it. Prawit and co. are looking for any clause to bring down the government.
The Ombudsman has a 60-day window to file a petition to Thailand's Constitutional Court, should this remain unresolved.
Continued at Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
౼ ౼
To be continued…
|
