Shinawatra family
| Shinawatra ชินวัตร Saekhu | |
|---|---|
Family cemetery in San Kamphaeng | |
| Parent family | Qiū family |
| Current region | Chiang Mai |
| Place of origin | Fengshun, Meizhou, Guangdong, China |
| Founded | 1911[a] 1938[b] |
| Founder |
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| Titles | Prime Minister of Thailand (2001–2006, 2008, 2011–2014, 2024–2025) |
| Connected families |
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The Shinawatra family[c] is a highly influential Thai family of Chinese (Hakka) origin. The family built its initial wealth through the silk trade before significantly expanding into the telecommunications sector during the late 20th century. Thaksin Shinawatra, a former police officer turned billionaire, transitioned into politics by founding the Thai Rak Thai Party. He served as Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, becoming the first leader in Thai history to complete a full term and win a consecutive re-election in 2005. His leadership was marked by policies that prioritized rural development and healthcare, which secured a massive and loyal voting base, though his methods also drew strong criticism from the urban middle class and the traditional political establishment in Bangkok.[1][2]
The political reach of the family has remained a dominant force in Thailand, producing a total of four Thai prime ministers. Following Thaksin's removal in a 2006 military coup not long after the controversial general election earlier that year, his brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, held the office briefly in 2008 before a court ruling forced him to step down. In 2011, Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was elected as Thailand's first female prime minister, serving until she was removed by a court order and a subsequent 2014 military coup. The family's influence returned to the highest level of government in 2024 with the election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest daughter, although she was later suspended and removed from office in 2025 following the Cambodia–Thailand phone call leak controversy.
List of members
By blood
- Seng Sae Khu (born c. 1840), patriarch of the family, who was a Hakka immigrant to Siam (Thailand) and who made a fortune through various businesses
- Chaiyasit Shinawatra (born 1945), former commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army[3] and Thaksin's cousin[4]
- Thaksin Shinawatra (born 1949), former telecommunications billionaire, former Prime Minister of Thailand,[5] and Seng Sae Khu's great-grandson[5]
- Yingluck Shinawatra (born 1967), former Prime Minister of Thailand from 2011 to 2014[6] and Thaksin's sister
- Yaowaret Shinawatra, member of a subcommittee of the Education Council of Thailand,[7] and Thaksin's sister
- Panthongtae Shinawatra (born 1979), businessman and Thaksin's son
- Pintongta Shinawatra (born 1982), businesswoman and Thaksin's daughter,[8] chairman of Rende Development Co., Ltd.[9]
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra (born 1986), businesswoman,[10] Thaksin's daughter,[11] Prime Minister of Thailand from 2024 until her removal in 2025[12][13]
By marriage
- Somchai Wongsawat (born 1947), former Prime Minister of Thailand in 2008[14] and Thaksin's brother-in-law[15]
- Yodchanan Wongsawat (born 1979), son of Somchai and nephew of Thaksin[16]
- Potjaman Na Pombejra (born 1956), Thaksin's former wife[17]
Family tree of members
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See also
- Shinawatra University, private university in Thailand initiated by Thaksin Shinawatra
- 14th floor case
Notes
References
- ^ Pasuk Phongpaichit; Chris Baker (2004). Thaksin: The Business of Politics in Thailand. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Silkworm Books. ISBN 9749575555.
- ^ Thitinan Pongsudhirak (2005). "Review of The Thaksinization of Thailand". Contemporary Southeast Asia. 27 (2): 327–330. ISSN 0129-797X.
- ^ Nation staff. August 25, 2006. "Former Army chief sues Sondhi" Archived 2007-03-12 at the Wayback Machine, The Nation (retrieved September 20, 2006).
- ^ The Nation (Thailand), Chaiyasit transfer "not PM's idea" - 2002-08-08
- ^ a b "Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra". BBC News. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Yingluck elected prime minister". Bangkok Post. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "Thai politics, the ultimate loyalty scheme". Bangkok Post. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "PINTONGTA "AIM" SHINAWATRA KUNAKORNWONG". Prestige Online – Thailand. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Meet with our Executives". Rende Development Co., Ltd. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "เจาะขุมทรัพย์ อุ๊งอิ๊ง แพทองธาร ชินวัตร ทรัพย์สินอู้ฟู่ 6.8 หมื่นล้าน". thansettakij (in Thai). 20 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Thaksin Shinawatra: Former Thai prime minister released on parole". BBC News. February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ "Thailand's prime minister removed from office over leaked phone call scandal with Cambodian strongman". CNN. August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ "Thailand: What's next after PM Paetongtarn leaves office?". DW. August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ "His Majesty signs royal command to appoint new PM". The Nation. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ Ahuja, Ambika (9 September 2008). "Cooking show stint derails Thai prime minister". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "เปิดประวัติ "ยศชนัน วงศ์สวัสดิ์" แคนดิเดตนายกฯ เพื่อไทย" (in Thai). Thai Public Broadcasting Service. 19 December 2025.
- ^ "Former Thai premier seeks asylum in Britain" Archived 23 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Media related to Shinawatra family at Wikimedia Commons