Thaksin Shinawatra

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 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.{{cite news|url=http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/08/08/the-shinawatra-family-tree/|author=Siam Intelligence Unit|date=8 August 2011|title=The Shinawatra family tree|work=New Mandala}}

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, 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{{Cite news|work=Shanghaiist|date=5 May 2018|last=Tan|first=Kenneth|url=http://shanghaiist.com/2014/11/01/yingluckthaksin_go_on_a_family_trip.php|title=Former Thai leaders Yingluck, Thaksin visit ancestral village in Meizhou, Guangdong|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314034553/http://shanghaiist.com/2014/11/01/yingluckthaksin_go_on_a_family_trip.php|url-status=dead}} who married Princess Chanthip na Chiangmai, a minor member of the Lanna (Chiang Mai) royalty.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

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, 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 Shinawatra was born in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai Province, and was raised in a Theravada Buddhist household. He lived in San Kamphaeng until the age of 15 before moving to Chiang Mai to attend Montfort College. At 16, he assisted in managing one of his father’s cinemas, gaining early experience in business operations.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Bill |title=Billionaire hopes to score Liverpool deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3700199.stm |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=BBC News|date=18 May 2004}}

Thaksin married Potjaman Damapong in July 1976.{{cite book |last1=Phongpaichit |first1=Pasuk |last2=Baker |first2=Chris |title=Thaksin |date=2009 |publisher=Silkworm Books |isbn=9789749511794 |edition=2nd, revised |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vS5xQQAACAAJ |access-date=31 December 2018}}{{RP|38}} They have one son, Panthongtae and two daughters, Pinthongtha and Paethongtarn. They divorced in 2008.{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hP1oYydxL4F7Gt2NLyhoiQVHE_eQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205092841/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hP1oYydxL4F7Gt2NLyhoiQVHE_eQ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2008 |title=Thailand's deposed PM Thaksin divorces wife: spokesman |access-date=16 November 2008 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=16 November 2008 }} Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra ({{langx|th|ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร}}; {{rtgs|yinglak chinnawat}}), 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.{{cite news |url=http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/CAROUSEL2013/?standalone=1&slug=THAILAND1126 |title=Turmoil in Thailand: Key Players|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=11 May 2014|date=11 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225851/http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/CAROUSEL2013/?standalone=1&slug=THAILAND1126 |archive-date=12 May 2014 }} Thaksin received a doctorate in criminology at Sam Houston State University.{{cite web|url=https://www.shsu.edu/~pin_www/T@S/2001/ShinawatraFeature.html|title=Sam Houston State Grad Is Prime Minister of Thailand| website=Sam Houston State University (SHSU)|access-date=31 December 2018}} Thaksin lectured at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of Mahidol University in 1979.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}{{Cite book |last1=Phongpaichit |first1=Pasuk |title=Thaksin |last2=Baker |first2=Chris |year=2009 |publisher=Silkworm Books |isbn=9781631024009 |edition=2}}

Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School,Bangkok Post. Thaksin's classmates closed ranks behind him on his 58th birthday, 27 July 1999. and 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.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

Returning to Thailand, he reached the position of Deputy Superintendent of 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.{{RP|39}}

He was a former university lecturer at the Royal Police Cadet Academy in 1975–1976.{{Cite web|url=http://www.neutron.rmutphysics.com/teaching-glossary/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9076&Itemid=26|title = Teaching-glossary – ทักษิณ ชินวัตร}}{{cite web |title=เปิดประวัติ ทักษิณ ชินวัตร อดีตนายกฯ คนที่ 23 ของไทย |url=https://hilight.kapook.com/view/46634 |website=K@pook |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=31 December 2018}}

Thaksin's police lieutenant colonel rank was revoked in September 2015.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150905133411/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2558/E/207/1.PDF Profile], ratchakitcha.soc.go. Accessed 2 November 2022.{{cite news |last1=Nanuam |first1=Wassana |title=Prayut signs order revoking Thaksin police rank |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/679772/prayut-signs-order-revoking-thaksin-police-rank |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 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.{{cite web |url=http://tri333.exteen.com/ |title=Transcript of an interview between Thaksin Shinawatra and Cheeptham Khamwisit (Thai: ชีพธรรม คำวิเศษณ์) on the Thaiventure.com program on FM 102 radio station |publisher=Tri333.exteen.com |access-date=19 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503214920/http://tri333.exteen.com/ |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thaksin.net/life.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419102042/http://www.thaksin.net/life.html|url-status=usurped |title=Personal background from personal website|archivedate=19 April 2009}} In April 1986, he founded Advanced Info Service (AIS), which started as a computer rental business.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

In 1987 Thaksin resigned from the police. He then marketed a romance drama called Baan Sai Thong, which became a popular success in theatres.{{cite news |title=Thaksin Shinawatra-a biography |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/election2001/thaksinprofile.html |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011115020544/http://www.bangkokpost.com/election2001/thaksinprofile.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2001 |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=August 2001 |access-date=11 June 2006 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=60278&usrsess= |work=The Nation|title=Thai govt pins border hopes on soaps |date=25 May 2002 |access-date=5 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111093614/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=60278&usrsess= |archive-date=11 November 2005 |url-status=dead }} 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 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.{{Cite web|url=http://silance-mobius.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-post_06.html|title=วาทะเด่น ของทรชาช "ทักษิณ ชินวัตร"}} However, it turned out to be a money loser and he eventually merged the company with the CP Group's UTV.UBC 2004 Annual Report, page 8

In 1989, Thaksin established a data networking service, Shinawatra DataCom, today known as Advanced Data Network and owned by AIS and TOT.{{cite web |url=http://investor.ais.co.th/FileUpload/Editor/DocumentUpload/WebContent/Annual%20Report/2010/068BusOperationsEN53.pdf |title=Business Operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries |website=Advanced Info Service PCL |access-date=6 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903104301/http://investor.ais.co.th/FileUpload/Editor/DocumentUpload/WebContent/Annual%20Report/2010/068BusOperationsEN53.pdf |archive-date=3 September 2014 }} Many of Thaksin's businesses were later consolidated as Shin Corporation.

{{Main|Advanced Info Service}}

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.{{cite web |title=Key Milestone |url=http://advanc.listedcompany.com/milestone.html |website=Advanced Info Service PLC |access-date=16 January 2019}}

The Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group 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 the ailing iTV television station from the Crown Property Bureau, Nation Multimedia Group, and Siam Commercial Bank.[http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/nations/0,8782,98445,00.html Taming The Media: Allegations of political interference cast a cloud over Thaksin's incoming administration] Asia Week Vol.27, No.6 16 February 2001 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018221132/http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/nations/0,8782,98445,00.html |date=18 October 2006 }}{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Glen |title=The Television Business, Democracy and The Army |url=http://www.aseanfocus.com/asiananalysis/article.cfm?articleID=99 |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=ASEAN Focus |date=December 1998 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20030702173146/http://www.aseanfocus.com/asiananalysis/article.cfm?articleID=99 |archive-date=2 July 2003}}

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.Asia Times, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070103113547/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HL22Ae01.html Grumbles, revelations of a Thai coup maker], 22 December 2006 Thaksin left Palang Dharma along with many of its MPs in 1996, and founded 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.{{cite news|author= Jan McGirk |title= Thaksin Shinawatra: The man who turned disaster into victory |publisher=BBC |date= 7 February 2005 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1108114.stm }}

Thaksin introduced a range of policies to alleviate rural poverty. Highly popular, they helped reduce poverty by half in four years.{{cite web|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTTHAILAND/Resources/Economic-Monitor/2005nov-econ-full-report.pdf |title=Thailand Economic Monitor, November 2005|website=World Bank Bangkok Office|access-date=15 January 2019}}{{cite magazine |title= Should Thaksin Stay? |magazine=Time |date= 13 March 2006 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1172779-3,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080829194637/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1172779-3,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 August 2008 | first=Simon | last=Elegant|url-access=subscription }} He launched the country's first universal healthcare program,NaRanong, Viroj, Na Ranong, Anchana, Universal Health Care Coverage: Impacts of the 30-Baht Health Care Scheme on the Rural Poor in Thailand, TDRI Quarterly Review, September 2006 the 30-baht scheme, as well as a notorious drug suppression campaign.{{cite news|title= Red light district reels as Thais embrace family values |author= Alex Spilius |work=The Daily Telegraph |date= 8 September 2001 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/1339963/Red-light-district-reels-as-Thais-embrace-family-values.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/1339963/Red-light-district-reels-as-Thais-embrace-family-values.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | access-date=25 May 2010}}{{cbignore}} Thaksin embarked on 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.{{cite web |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30019150 |title=Bangkok's Independent Newspaper |access-date=16 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121029/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30019150 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}World Bank, [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTTHAILAND/Resources/Economic-Monitor/2003oct.pdf Thailand Economic Monitor, October 2003] 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2005|title=Research – CPI – Overview|website=Transparency International e.V.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512023516/http://transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2005|archive-date=12 May 2008}} The Thai Rak Thai party won in a landslide in the 2005 general election, which had the highest voter turnout in Thai history.{{cite news |first=Pongsudhirak |last=Thitinan |title=Victory places Thaksin at crossroads |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/election2005/090205_news13.html |newspaper=Bangkok Post }}{{cite news |url= http://www.nationmultimedia.com/Election2005/news/news.php?news=02%2F10020506.htm |date= 10 February 2005 |title= Unprecedented 72% turnout for latest poll |newspaper=The Nation |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101121032134/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/Election2005/news/news.php?news=02%2F10020506.htm |archive-date= 21 November 2010 |df= dmy-all }}Aurel Croissant and Daniel J. Pojar, Jr., [http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/Jun/croissantJun05.asp Quo Vadis Thailand? Thai Politics after the 2005 Parliamentary Election] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419131607/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2005/Jun/croissantJun05.asp |date=19 April 2009 }}, Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 6 (June 2005)

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 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 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.[http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/96/0524/nat12.html Thailand: Double Trouble For the PM: A parliamentary vote splits the government coalition] 24 May 1996 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 was retiring again from politics.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

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.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

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 the elections, winning only one seat, and soon imploded, with most members resigning.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

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 the government's decision to float the baht,[http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/97/1010/nat2.html Pressure from below: Supporters of the new, improved Constitution now have to help turn words into action] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313222420/http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/97/1010/nat2.html |date=13 March 2006 }} 10 October 1997 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.politicalfriendster.com/rateConnection.php?id1=3190&id2=145 |title=Rate Connection – Thaksin Shinawatra connected to Carlyle Group |website=Political Friendster |date=7 May 2006 |access-date=19 February 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

File:Thaksintuktuk.JPG show the leadership of Thaksin as Party Leader]]

Thaksin founded the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) ('Thais Love Thais') party in 1998 along with Somkid Jatusripitak, PDP ally Sudarat Keyuraphan, Purachai Piumsomboon,[http://www.msutoday.msu.edu/news/index.php3?article=14Oct2004-8 MSU alumni, friends, honored for outstanding achievements: Purachai Piumsombun of Bangkok, Thailand] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212200729/http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/index.php3?article=14Oct2004-8 |date=12 February 2006 }} 14 October 2004 and 19 others.

With 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 the time, some academics called it the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history.Robert B. Albritton and Thawilwadee Bureekul, [http://www.asianbarometer.org/newenglish/publications/workingpapers/no.28.pdf Developing Democracy under a New Constitution in Thailand] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108195531/http://www.asianbarometer.org/newenglish/publications/workingpapers/no.28.pdf |date=8 November 2006 }}, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica Asian Barometer Project Office Working Paper Series No. 28, 2004 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 the smaller Seritham Party (14 seats).Aurel Croissant and Jörn Dosch, Old Wine in New Bottlenecks? Elections in Thailand under the 1997 Constitution. Leeds East Asia Papers, no. 63 (Leeds: University of Leeds, 2001), page 16 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 a year afterward.{{cite web | url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Thai+antigraft+body+indicts+Thaksin+for+hiding+wealth.-a070202546 | title=Thai antigraft body indicts Thaksin for hiding wealth. – Free Online Library }} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.thansettakij.com/politics/533928 | title=คดีซุกหุ้น จาก"ทักษิณ" ถึง"ศักดิ์สยาม" | date=24 July 2022 }}

According to his own testament in 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 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 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.[http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/Special%20Event/Prasert%20Nasakul.html คำวินิจฉัยส่วนตัวของนายประเสริฐ นาสกุล ประธานตุลาการศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ คดีซุกหุ้น พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร หัวหน้าพรรคไทยรักไทย, "ประเด็นที่สาม ผู้ถูกร้องไม่เข้าใจคำอธิบายบัญชีแสดงรายการ ทรัพย์สินและหนี้สินของตนจริงหรือไม่"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810235159/http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/Special%20Event/Prasert%20Nasakul.html |date=10 August 2015 }}, สืบค้นเมื่อ 29-10-2558.

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 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 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 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.[http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/Thaislang/Thaislang%20013.html ท่ามกระแสกดดันจากสังคมมายังศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082021/http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/Thaislang/Thaislang%20013.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. สืบค้นเมื่อ 10-12-2556. However, there is still a part of society that is skeptical of the court's decision and sees Thaksin as disrupting the justice process,[http://www.hiso.or.th/hiso/picture/reportHealth/ThaiHealth2013/thai2013_12.pdf พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณถูกมองว่าแทรกแทรงกระบวนการยุติธรรม] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230214132/https://www.hiso.or.th/hiso/picture/reportHealth/ThaiHealth2013/thai2013_12.pdf |date=30 December 2022 }}. สืบค้นเมื่อ 10-12-2556. leading to the complaint and removal of four Constitutional Court judges.

In 2011, 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 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.https://peaceresourcecollaborative.org/theories/justice-and-remedies/reconthailand# page 210

Image:Thaksin Shinawatra (December 2001).jpg in December 2001]]

File:Thaksin Bush DC 20030610.jpg meets with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand in the Oval Office Tuesday, June 10, 2003]]

File:Vladimir Putin in Thailand 21-22 October 2003-1.jpg, Vladimir Putin, in October 2003]]

File:LulaShinawatra.jpg, Lula da Silva, 2004]]

Thaksin Shinawatra 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.{{cite news |title=Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra |work=BBC News|date=24 June 2011|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1108114.stm|access-date=15 January 2019}} He initiated many eye-catching policies that distinguished him from his predecessors.{{cite journal |last1=Hewison |first1=Kevin |title=Thaksin Shinawatra and the reshaping of Thai politics |journal=Contemporary Politics |date=June 2010 |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=119–133 |doi=10.1080/13569771003783810 |s2cid=54854153 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233476162 |access-date=15 January 2019}} They affected the economy, public health, education, energy, social order, drug suppression and international relations. He gained one re-election victory.{{cite news |last1=Fuller |first1=Thomas |title=Protesters Jam Bangkok, but Rural Thais Love the Leader |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/06/world/asia/protesters-jam-bangkok-but-rural-thais-love-the-leader.html?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=C6F63A68F304C282C139CABE3B095A83&gwt=pay |access-date=15 January 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=6 March 2006}}

Thaksin's most effective policies were reducing rural poverty and 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 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 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.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

Thaksin's economic policies helped Thailand recover from the 1997 Asian financial crisis and substantially reduce poverty. GDP grew from 4.9 trillion baht in 2001 to 7.1 trillion baht in 2006. Thailand repaid its debts to the International Monetary Fund two years ahead of schedule.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}

Income in the northeast, the poorest part of the country, rose by 46 percent from 2001 to 2006.NESDB, [http://www.nesdb.go.th/Portals/0/eco_datas/account/gpp/GPP%201995-2006.zip Economic Data, 1995–2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719090712/http://www.nesdb.go.th/Portals/0/eco_datas/account/gpp/GPP%201995-2006.zip |date=19 July 2011 }} Nationwide poverty fell from 21.3 to 11.3 percent. Thailand's Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, fell from .525 in 2000 to .499 in 2004 (it had risen from 1996 to 2000).{{cite web |title=Thailand Economic Monitor November 2005 |url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTTHAILAND/Resources/Economic-Monitor/2005nov-econ-full-report.pdf |publisher=World Bank |access-date=5 January 2019 }} The Stock Exchange of Thailand outperformed other markets in the region. After facing fiscal deficits in 2001 and 2002, Thaksin balanced the national budget, producing comfortable fiscal surpluses for 2003 to 2005. Despite a massive program of infrastructure investments, a balanced budget was projected for 2007.{{cite web |title=Asian Development Outlook 2006: II. Economic trends and prospects in developing Asia; Southeast Asia; Thailand |url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2006/tha.asp |website=Asian Development Bank |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905103151/http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2006/tha.asp |archive-date=5 September 2006 |year=2006}} Public sector debt fell from 57 percent of GDP in January 2001 to 41 percent in September 2006. Foreign exchange reserves doubled from US$30 billion in 2001 to US$64 billion in 2006.{{cite news|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/25/headlines/headlines_30022396.php|last=Khanthong|first=Thanong |title=Black Tuesday: Did the BOT overreact?|date=25 December 2006|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108014929/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/25/headlines/headlines_30022396.php|archive-date=8 January 2007}}

Critics say Thaksinomics is little more than a Keynesian-style economic stimulus policy re-branded. Others claimed that the policies got the rural poor "hooked on Thaksin's hand-outs."{{cite news|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/05/opinion/opinion_30015415.php|title=Forget the apologies, let the PM rebuild democracy|work=The Nation|last=Yoon|first=Suthichai |department=Opinion|date=5 October 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014221520/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/05/opinion/opinion_30015415.php|archive-date=14 October 2006}}

Thaksin helped legalise Thailand's massive underground lottery system numbers game (Thai: หวย) to be run by the Government Lottery Office. Lottery sales of approximately 70 billion baht (US$2 billion) were used for social projects, including the "One District, One Scholarship" program. The Thaksin government also privatised MCOT, a large television and radio broadcaster.{{cite web|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/24/national/national_30019832.php|title=Activists call for MCOT delisting|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004248/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/24/national/national_30019832.php|archive-date=30 September 2007}}

After the 2006 coup, many of Thaksin's economic policies were ended, the OTOP program was rebranded, the Government Lottery Office's program was deemed illegal, and the government nationalised several media outlets and energy companies. However, economists from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) published a report indicating that many of the populist policies had not boosted the economy and some were by coincidence.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/30/business/business_30000503.php|title=Thaksinomics 'not a driver of growth'|work=The Nation|last=Chaitrong| first=Wichit|date=30 March 2006|url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717175908/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/30/business/business_30000503.php|archive-date=17 July 2007}}

According to World Bank Thailand has recentralized rather than decentralized during his administration.{{Cite web|url=https://message.worldbank.org/isp_error_page.htm|title=Welcome to World Bank Intranet|website=message.worldbank.org}}

One of Thaksin's educational reforms was school decentralisation, as mandated by the 1997 Constitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.thaiembdc.org/politics/govtment/policy/54thpolicy/policy_e.html|title=54th Thai Government Policy|date=26 May 2001|access-date=15 March 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010526124921/http://www.thaiembdc.org/politics/govtment/policy/54thpolicy/policy_e.html|archive-date=26 May 2001}} {{citation needed|date=January 2019}}It was to delegate school management from the over-centralized and bureaucratised Ministry of Education to Tambon Administrative Organizations (TAOs), but met with massive widespread opposition from Thailand's 700,000 teachers, who would be deprived of their status as civil servants. Teachers also feared that TAOs lacked the ability to manage schools. In the face of massive teacher protests and several threats of school closure, Thaksin compromised and gave teachers whose schools were transferred to TAO management two years to transfer to other schools.[http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=1009 Crisis in the 'Land of the Smile'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917045902/http://internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=1009 |date=17 September 2006 }} International Viewpoint, Online magazine: IV376 – March 2006{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Other intended policy changes included learning reform and related curricular decentralisation, mostly through greater use of holistic education and less use of rote learning.{{cite web |url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=19066 |title=Thai News Agency, Rote learning to be eliminated from schools, says PM, 21 January 2006 |publisher=Etna.mcot.net |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016205115/http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=19066 |archive-date=16 October 2007 }}

To increase access to universities by lower income people, Thaksin initiated the Student Loan Fund (SLF) and Income Contingency Loan (ICL) programs. He initiated the ICL program to increase access to higher education, whereby needy students could secure a loan to support their studies from vocational to university levels. Thai banks had traditionally not given educational loans. The ICL, however, required recipients to start repayments when their salaries reached 16,000 baht a month, with interest equivalent to inflation from the day the loan was granted. The SLF had an eligibility limit on family income, but interest was 1 per cent starting a year after graduation. The programs were merged and the income limit modified after Thaksin's government was overthrown.{{cite web|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/13/national/national_30018789.php|title=New student loan scheme to have higher family-income limit|work=The Nation|location=Thailand|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709030754/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/13/national/national_30018789.php|archive-date=9 July 2007}}

Thaksin was one of the first supporters of Nicholas Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, with the Thai Ministry of Education committing to purchase 600,000 units.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/08/15/byteline/index.php?news=byteline_18342256.html|title=Bangkok's Independent Newspaper|work=The Nation|location=Thailand|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712025355/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/08/15/byteline/index.php?news=byteline_18342256.html|archive-date=12 July 2006}} The junta later cancelled the project.

Thaksin also initiated the controversial "One District, One Dream School" project, aimed at developing the quality of schools to ensure that every district had at least one high-quality school. It was criticised, with claims that the only beneficiaries were Thaksin and companies selling computers and educational equipment. Many schools fell deeply into debt in implementing the project, receiving inadequate financial support from the central government.{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=121026&usrsess= |title=Suicide puts spotlight on model schools' money woes |work=The Nation|location=Thailand |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=4 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124804/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=121026&usrsess= |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=THAI TALK: Nightmares haunt dream-school project |work=The Nation|location=Thailand |date=13 October 2005 |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/10/13/opinion/index.php?news=opinion_18859784.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614082702/http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/10/13/opinion/index.php?news=opinion_18859784.html |archive-date=14 June 2006 }}

In addition, he altered the state university entrance system, which had relied exclusively on nationally standardised exams. Thaksin pushed for greater weighting of senior high-school grades in the hope of focusing students on classroom learning rather than private entrance exam tutoring.

Thaksin initiated two key healthcare policies: subsidised universal health care (UHC) in 2002 and low-cost universal access to anti-retroviral HIV medication (ARVs). Thaksin's 30 baht per visit UHC program won the praise of the general public, but was criticised by many physicians and officials.{{cite news |first=Charoen |last=Kittikanya |title=Dual-track system |url=http://www.bangkokpost.net/midyear2004/health01.html |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=26 August 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820004448/http://www.bangkokpost.net/midyear2004/health01.html |archive-date=20 August 2006 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/14/national/national_30008668.php |work=The Nation|date=14 July 2006 |title=Bt30 health scheme still lacks funds, says official|last=Khwankhom|first=Arthit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015165033/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/14/national/national_30008668.php |archive-date=15 October 2007}} Prior to the program's introduction, a large portion of the population had no health insurance and only limited access to healthcare. The program helped increase healthcare access from 76% of the population to 96%.{{cite news|title=Thaksin lauds his own achievements |work=Bangkok Post |url=http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=112327 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010025253/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=112327 |archive-date=10 October 2007 }} At its outset, UHC was reviled as a "populist" policy. Post-coup public health minister Mongkol Na Songkhla called the 30 baht program a "marketing gimmick".{{cite news|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/13/national/national_30016065.php|title=Bt30 health fee may be scrapped|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031063056/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/13/national/national_30016065.php|archive-date=31 October 2006}} Nearly half of UHC patients were dissatisfied with the treatment they received. The program has downsides: excessive workloads for health care providers, crowded waiting rooms, and insufficient time spent diagnosing each patient, and costs have tripled from 56 million baht in 2006 to 166 million baht in 2019, but still remain below one percent of GDP.

{{See also|Policies of the Thaksin administration#Anti-drug policies}}

On 14 January 2003, Thaksin launched a campaign to rid "every square inch of the country" of drugs in three months.Anucha Yuwadee, Bangkok Post, 15 January 2003 It consisted of changing the punishment policy for drug addicts, setting provincial arrest and seizure targets including "blacklists", awarding government officials for achieving targets and threatening punishment for those who failed to make the quota, targeting dealers, and "ruthless" implementation. In the first three months, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed that 2,275 people were extrajudicially executed.National News Bureau of Thailand, [http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/378944-academics-call-for-law-to-prosecute-thaksin-in-world-court/ Academics call for law to prosecute Thaksin in World Court], 28 June 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/campaigns/aids/2004/thai.htm |title=The War on Drugs, HIV/AIDS, and Violations of Human Rights in Thailand |quote=Beginning in February 2003, the Thaksin government instructed police and local officials that persons charged with drug offenses should be considered "security threats" and dealt with in a "ruthless" and "severe" manner. The result of the initial three-month phase of this campaign was some 2,275 extrajudicial killings |publisher=Human Rights Watch}} However, a forensic examination of the 2,275 figure in 2007 by Bangkok Pundit writing for the now defunct Asian Correspondent{{Cite web |last=asiancorrespondent.com |title=2275 : Where Did This Number Come From? {{!}} Asian Correspondent |url=http://asiancorrespondent.com/20405/2275-where-did-this-number-come-from/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902211534/http://asiancorrespondent.com/20405/2275-where-did-this-number-come-from/ |archive-date=2013-09-02 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=asiancorrespondent.com |language=en}} found that HRW's source for the 2,275 figure was Agence France-Presse (AFP). It further found that the figure of 2,275 was the total number of people killed nationwide from the start of the "war", published in police figures released in mid-April 2023, with AFP itself acknowledging "it is not known how many were drug-related killings"{{Cite web |title=Thailand's army hunts for millions of buried pills - Taipei Times |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2003/08/20/2003064510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904034738/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2003/08/20/2003064510 |archive-date=2013-09-04 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=www.taipeitimes.com}} Compounding the false narrative, AFP then went on to later attribute the 2,275 figure to HRW in future reports. In December 2003 Thailand's police chief, Police General Sant Sarutanond, told a Bangkok media conference that an internal investigation had found that 72 people died as a result of "extra-judicial killings"{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Asia-Pacific {{!}} Thai police chief defends drug war |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3334169.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106044743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3334169.stm |archive-date=2012-11-06 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}. The BBC's use of the word extra-judicial killing it is a translation of วิสามัญฆาตกรรม which actually equates to justifiable homicide. The government claimed that only around 50 of the deaths were at the hands of the police, the rest being drug traffickers who were being silenced by their dealers and their dealers' dealers. Human rights critics claimed a large number were extrajudicially executed.

{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E7DF1038F93BA35757C0A9659C8B63 |title=A Wave of Drug Killings Is Linked to Thai Police |first= Seth |last=Mydans|date= 8 April 2003 |newspaper=The New York Times }}{{cite web|url=http://www.akha.org/content/drugwar/drugwarsethmydansnyt.html|title=New York Times: A Wave of Drug Killings Is Linked to Thai Police Seth Mydans |work=akha.org}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/thailand0704/4.htm#_ftn1|title=Thailand: Not Enough Graves: IV. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN THE WAR ON DRUGS|publisher=Human Rights Watch}}{{cite web|url=http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/275/thailandwar.shtml|title=Thailand War on Drugs... Turns Murderous, 600 Killed This Month – Human Rights Groups Denounce Death Squads, Executions|work=stopthedrugwar.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icwa.org/txtArticles/MZW-6.htm|title=to article|work=icwa.org|access-date=15 February 2008|archive-date=23 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060550/http://www.icwa.org/txtArticles/MZW-6.htm|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icwa.org/select1.asp?f=MZW-6.pdf|title=Institute of Current World Affairs – long-term fellowships in countries throughout the world|work=icwa.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.akha.org/content/drugwar/drugwarpage1.html|title=Thailand's Drug War 12 pages |work=akha.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icwa.org/ArticlesMap.asp?r=14|title=Institute of Current World Affairs – long-term fellowships in countries throughout the world|work=icwa.org|access-date=15 February 2008|archive-date=23 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060546/http://www.icwa.org/ArticlesMap.asp?r=14|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/07/07/thaila9014.htm|title=Timeline of Thailand's "War on Drugs" (Human Rights Watch, 7-7-2004)|date=7 July 2004|publisher=Human Rights Watch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216123213/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/english/docs/2004/07/07/thaila9014.htm|archive-date=16 December 2008 |access-date=15 March 2018}}{{cite web |date=April 2005 |title=Institutionalised torture, extrajudicial killings & uneven application of law in Thailand |url=http://www.akha.org/upload/humanrights/documents/alrchrcthailand2005.pdf}}. See Annex 5 for a "Partial list of persons reported killed during the 'war on drugs' (revised)" Asian Legal Resource Centre From Vol. 04 – No. 02{{cite web|url=http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0402/|title=Special Report: Rule of Law vs. Rule of Lords in Thailand|publisher=article2.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915130111/http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0402/|archive-date=15 September 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.achrweb.org/reports/Thailand/Thailand0105.pdf|title=Thailand: Not Smiling on Rights|date=18 July 2005|publisher=Asian Centre for Human Rights|access-date=15 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725230017/http://www.achrweb.org/reports/Thailand/Thailand0105.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead}} See page 24, the section called "Killings in the war against drugs"{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/07/international/asia/lett.html?ex=1246939200|title=Letter from Asia; She Tilts Against Power, but Don't Call Her Quixotic|first= Jane |last=Perlez|date= 7 July 2004|newspaper=The New York Times}}"US-Thailand's 'License To Kill'. 2274 Extra-Judicial Killings in 90 Days", The Akha Journal of the Golden Triangle By Matthew McDaniel, Vol. 1, No. 2, October 2003. Relevant section of journal 2: [http://www.akha.org/upload/journal/akhajournal2p6.pdf 2p6.pdf] – Cover and first part of journal 2: [http://www.akha.org/upload/journal/akhajournal2p1.pdf 2p1.pdf] – [http://www.akha.org/upload/journal/ Link list for all parts of the journals]{{Cite web |url=http://gallery.marihemp.com/akha |title=Marihemp Network Gallery :: Thailand. 2500 extrajudicial drug-war killings of innocent people |access-date=7 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206205143/http://gallery.marihemp.com/akha |archive-date=6 December 2009 |url-status=dead }} The majority of these individuals were listed on the government's blacklist, but there is no evidence to suggest that they were actually involved in the drug trade. The blacklist was unreliable, with some drug dealers not being listed and many individuals who were listed having no involvement in the drug trade. The government encouraged community members to report drug users and dealers to authorities, who would then put the names in a box for the government to review. This led to confusion and mistakes, including the inclusion of innocent individuals on the blacklist. There were also instances of people using the blacklist for revenge against rivals.{{cite web | url=https://www.naewna.com/politic/columnist/36939 | title=คอลัมน์การเมือง – ฆ่าตัดตอนที่เมืองน้ำดำ รอยเลือดจากระบอบทักษิณ | date=7 September 2018 }}

In a 2003 birthday address, King Bhumibol subtly criticised the handling of the war on drugs by the government, hinting at a misplacement of accountability for its casualties onto him, despite constitutional provisions that exempt the monarch from governmental responsibilities. The King expressed concern over the broader accountability within the country, emphasising the challenge of identifying and distinguishing the casualties caused by state actions and others. The speech delicately pointed out the legal and moral responsibilities of the government officials in managing national crises.{{cite web|url=http://kanchanapisek.or.th/speeches/2003/1204.th.html |title=พระราชดำรัส พระราชทานแก่คณะบุคคลต่างๆ ที่เข้าเฝ้าฯ ถวายชัยมงคล ในโอกาสวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา ณ ศาลาดุสิดาลัย สวนจิตรลดา พระราชวังดุสิตฯ วันพฤหัสบดีที่ ๔ ธันวาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๖ (ฉบับไม่เป็นทางการ) |quote=แต่เข้าใจว่า เป็นซูเปอร์ซีอีโอ เราก็ลงท้าย เราก็รับผิดชอบทั้งหมด ประชาชนทั้งประเทศ โยนให้พระเจ้าอยู่หัวรับผิดชอบหมด ซึ่งผิดรัฐธรรมนูญนะ รัฐธรรมนูญบอกว่า พระเจ้าอยู่หัวไม่รับผิดชอบอะไรเลย นี่ท่านแถวนี้ ก็เป็นนักกฎหมาย แล้วกฎหมายก็บอกพระเจ้าอยู่หัว ไม่รับผิดชอบอะไรเลย ตกลงเราไม่รับผิดชอบประเทศชาติ เมืองไทยไม่มีใครรับผิดชอบเลย ใครจะรับผิดชอบ ลำบากอย่างนี้ แต่ว่าเชื่อว่าท่านพูดเล่น ท่านรับผิดชอบ ในที่สุดท่านก็ต้องรับผิดชอบอีก ๒,๕๐๐ คน แล้วก็ ๒,๕๐๐ คน ท่านก็ต้อง ตอนนี้จะต้องไปถามท่านผู้บัญชาการตำรวจแห่งชาติว่า จำแนกออกเป็นอย่างไร ไอ้ ๒,๕๐๐ คน แล้วจำแนกไปจำแนกมา ประกาศให้ประชาชนทราบ|publisher=The Golden Jubilee Network}}

Bhumibol also asked the commander of the police to investigate the killings.{{in lang|th}} Royal Jubilee Network, [http://kanchanapisek.or.th/speeches/2003/1204.th.html 2003 Birthday Speech of King Bhumibol Adulyadej] Police Commander Sant Sarutanond reopened investigations into the deaths, and again claimed that few of the deaths were at the hands of the police.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

The war on drugs was widely criticised by the international community. Thaksin requested that the UN Commission on Human Rights send a special envoy to evaluate the situation, but said in an interview, "The United Nations is not my father. I am not worried about any UN visit to Thailand on this issue."{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=75010&date=4 |work=The Nation|location=Thailand |date=4 March 2003 |title=DRUG-RELATED KILLINGS: Verify the toll, say diplomats }}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

After the 2006 coup, the military junta appointed a committee to investigate the anti-drug campaign.[http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120634 "Kanit to chair extrajudicial killings probe"] Bangkok Post, 3 August 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006090211/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120634 |date=6 October 2007 }} Former Attorney General Kanit Na Nakorn led the committee. Concerning the committee's results The Economist reported in January 2008: "Over half of those killed in 2003 had no links to the drugs trade. The panel blamed the violence on a government 'shoot-to-kill' policy based on flawed blacklists. But far from leading to the prosecutions of those involved, its findings have been buried. The outgoing interim prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, took office vowing to right Mr Thaksin's wrongs. Yet this week he said there was insufficient evidence to take legal action over the killings. It is easy to see why the tide has turned. Sunai Phasuk, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, a lobbying group, says that the panel's original report named the politicians who egged on the gunmen. But after the PPP won last month's elections, those names were omitted."[http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10566797 "Thailand's drug wars. Back on the offensive"] 24 January 2008 The Economist

While he was opposition leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva accused Thaksin of crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the campaign. After being appointed Prime Minister, Abhisit opened an investigation into the killings, claiming that a successful probe could lead to prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Former attorney-general Kampee Kaewcharoen led the investigation and the investigation committee was approved by Abhisit's Cabinet. Abhisit denied that the probe was politically motivated. Witnesses and victims were urged to report to the Department of Special Investigation, which operated directly under Abhisit's control.Thailand Times, [http://thailandtimes.asia/thailand-news/thaksins-drug-murders-investigated/ Thaksin's 'Drug Murders' investigated] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402164354/http://thailandtimes.asia/thailand-news/thaksins-drug-murders-investigated/ |date=2 April 2012 }}, 10 June 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.personalthailand.com/threads/677-Extra-juridical-killing-cases-by-Thaksin-government-investigated-again-in-Thailand|title=Extra-juridical killing cases by Thaksin government investigated again in Thailand|work=Personal Thailand – Travel and Live in Thailand}}

{{See also|Policies of the Thaksin government#Energy policies|Energy Industry Liberalization and Privatization (Thailand)}}

In energy policy, the Thaksin government continued the Chuan Leekpai government's privatisation agenda, but with important changes. Whereas the Chuan government's post-Asian financial crisis policies sought economic efficiency through industry fragmentation and wholesale power pool competition,{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/ffd/domestic/2001/0927trump.htm |title=Far Eastern Economic Review, "Power Politics Trump Reform", 27 September 2001 |publisher=Globalpolicy.org |date=27 September 2001 |access-date=19 February 2010}} Thaksin's policies aimed to create national champions that could reliably support stronger economic growth and become important players in regional energy markets.{{Cite web|url=http://my.reset.jp/~adachihayao/040503C.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529234341/http://my.reset.jp/~adachihayao/040503C.htm|url-status=dead|work=Bangkok Post|title=Raising sector efficiency 'crucial': Utility's B140bn debt strains public purse|archivedate=29 May 2008}} Thaksin also initiated a policy to encourage renewable energy and energy conservation. Many Thaksin-era energy policies were reversed following the 2006 coup.

{{See also|South Thailand insurgency}}

A resurgence in violence began in 2001 in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand with their Muslim, ethnic Malay majority. There is much controversy about the causes of this escalation. Attacks after 2001 concentrated on police, the military, and schools, but civilians (including Buddhist monks) are also regular targets. Thaksin was widely criticised for his management of the situation.

Of three key controversial incidents, the first was the Army's storming of the Krue Se Mosque, where protesters had holed up and were killed.{{cite news |last1=Hoge |first1=Warren |title=U.N. Criticizes Emergency Powers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/22/world/world-briefing-asia-thailand-un-criticizes-emergency-powers.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FPeople%2FT%2FThaksin+Shinawatra |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=22 July 2005}}

The second, in October 2004, was the killing of 84 Muslim demonstrators at Tak Bai, when the Army broke up a peaceful protest.{{cite web|title=THAILAND: At least 84 people killed in Southern Thailand |website=Asian Human Rights Commission |date=25 October 2004|access-date=2 January 2019|url=http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2004/838/}} Hundreds of detainees were forced at gunpoint to lie shackled and prone in Army trucks, stacked like cordwood. The trucks were delayed from moving to the detainment area for hours. The 84 victims were reported to have been asphyxiated, crushed or died of overheating. The precise nature and cause of death have been subject to controversy and doubt because of lack of transparency and absence of depth in investigations made. There are other reports of many more deaths but these have not been substantiated.

In a third incident, Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit disappeared, allegedly abducted and killed by police for his role in defending alleged insurgents who claimed to have been tortured. Despite witness testimony and forensic evidence during the court of police investigations and court trials, all allegations against police said to be involved were dropped and the enforced disappearance case closed.

Thaksin announced an escalation of military and police activity in the region.Somchai Phatharathananunth "Civil Society and Democratization" p.222 In July 2005, Thaksin enacted an Emergency Decree to manage the three troubled provinces. Several human rights organisations expressed their concerns that the decree might be used to violate civil liberties.{{cite web |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/08/04/thaila11592.htm |title=Emergency Decree Violates Thai Constitution and Laws |date=4 August 2005 |access-date=27 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620064812/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/08/04/thaila11592.htm |archive-date=20 June 2006 |url-status=dead }}

In March 2005, Thaksin established the National Reconciliation Commission, chaired by former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to oversee efforts to bring peace to the troubled South. In its final report in June 2006, the commission proposed introducing elements of Islamic law and making Pattani-Malay (Yawi) an official language in the region along with Thai. The Thaksin administration assigned a government committee to study the report, but nothing came of it.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/07/regional/regional_30005908.php |title=Government shrugs off NRC final report |work=The Nation |date=7 June 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614195700/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/07/regional/regional_30005908.php |archive-date=14 June 2006 }}

Thaksin blamed Malaysia's jungle that has occasionally been used to train Islamic militants to cause violence in the south and Indonesia for being an inspiration to the militants.{{cite news |last1=Ganjanakhundee |first1=Supalak |title=ANALYSIS: Thaksin's blame game backfires |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/south2years/dec2304.php |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=The Nation |date=23 December 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527043825/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/south2years/dec2304.php |archive-date=27 May 2011}}

One of the most visible of Thaksin's administrative reforms was the restructuring of government department and ministries, labelled the "big bang." It was hailed as a "historic breakthrough" and "the first major reorganization of ministries since King Chulalongkorn set up Thailand's modern system of departmental government in 1897." Plans had been studied for years to loosen perceived rigidities and inertia of the old system but were not implemented until the Thaksin government.Martin Painter, Managerial Reform and Political Control, Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong, [http://www.sog-rc27.org/Paper/Scancor/Martin_Painter.doc the Case of Thaksin and the Thai Bureaucracy*] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012055631/http://www.sog-rc27.org/Paper/Scancor/Martin_Painter.doc |date=12 October 2006 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20071016205115/http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=19066 MCOT : TNA English News :]

The restructuring was designed to streamline the bureaucracy and focus it on performance and results. New ministries were carved out in Social and Human Security Development, Tourism and Sports, Natural Resources and Environment, Information and Communication Technology, and Culture.

Thaksin transformed the role of provincial governors to that of active policy managers. Historically, central government ministries operated in the provinces through field offices headed by senior officials who reported back to Bangkok, while the Interior Ministry appointed provincial governors whose role was largely ceremonial.

A key component of Thaksin's administrative reform policy, the "CEO-governors" epitomised what was called his "transformation of the operating style of the traditional bureaucracy into a more results-oriented instrument that would be responsive." Piloted in 2001 and introduced in all provinces in October 2003, CEO-governors were put in charge of planning and co-ordinating provincial development and became accountable for overall provincial affairs. The "CEO governors" were assisted by "provincial CFOs" from the Ministry of Finance who reported directly to each governor. Governors were authorised to raise funds by issuing bonds and were given an intensive training course.{{cite web |publisher=Kellogg School of Management |url=http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/030817bp.htm |title=CEO governors mini-premiers, says PM: Can issue bonds, use management methods |date=17 August 2003 |access-date=3 October 2006 |archive-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103092541/http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/030817bp.htm |url-status=dead }}

The CEO-governors of all 75 provinces at that time came from the appointment of the Minister of Interior Affairs and had greater authority in managing people and money. There was even a special budget allocated, called the "CEO-governor budget," which amounted to tens of million baht. In reality, it was found that this budget was managed and shared among the local members of parliament and aimed at achieving political goals, leading to criticism that it was a budget used to gain support for Thaksin government. It was even accused by academics of being a "hired vision writer" for the government.{{cite web |url=https://mgronline.com/daily/detail/9590000125346|title=ฟื้น"ผู้ว่าฯซีอีโอ รอบ 3"เพื่อใคร ? งบจังหวัด 4 หมื่นล.ในอดีตถึง1 แสนล.ปัจจุบัน |date=17 December 2016}}

After the coup, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, drafted the royal decree on the management and preparation of budget plans for the development of provincial and district groups starting in 2008. The "CEO-governor budget" was eliminated and thereby preventing the local members of the parliament from spending the budget to gain votes.

The Thaksin era also saw the opening of a number of government one-stop service centres to reduce red tape for anything from investment to utilities and ID-card processing.

File:Powell Thaksin 20020729.jpg and Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Government House in 2002]]

Thaksin initiated negotiations for several free trade agreements with China, Australia, Bahrain, India, and the US. The latter especially was criticised, with claims that high-cost Thai industries could be wiped out.{{cite web|author=กลุ่มศึกษาข้อตกลงเขตการค้าเสรีภาคประชาชน |url=http://www.ftawatch.org/ |title=FTA Watch Group website |publisher=Ftawatch.org |access-date=19 February 2010}}

Thailand joined the US-led invasion of Iraq, sending a 423-strong humanitarian contingent. It withdrew its troops on 10 September 2004. Two Thai soldiers died in Iraq in an insurgent attack.

Thaksin announced that Thailand would forsake foreign aid, and work with donor countries to assist in the development of neighbours in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.{{cite web |url=http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=3502 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906011819/http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=3502 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2004 |work=The Straits Times |title=Thaksin's Chance for Leading Role in the Region |date=10 March 2004 }}

Thaksin was repeatedly attacked for acting undiplomatically with foreign leaders and the international community. Besides his famous swipe at the UN (see The 'war on drugs' above), there were also allegations of gaffes at international meetings.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/26/headlines/headlines_30000240.php |work=The Nation|location=Thailand |title=Ex-envoys tell of 'multi-tasking' premier |date=17 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907051258/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/26/headlines/headlines_30000240.php |archive-date=7 September 2006 }}

Thaksin was keen to position Thailand as a regional leader, initiating various development projects in poorer neighbouring countries like Laos. More controversially, he established close, friendly ties with the Burmese dictatorship, including extending the impoverished country a 4 billion baht credit line so it could conclude a satellite telecom deal with his family business.[http://www.burmait.net/ict-news/2007/aug07/thaksin-to-face-charges-over-burma-telecom-deal/ 'Thaksin to face charges over Burma telecom deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103061415/http://www.burmait.net/ict-news/2007/aug07/thaksin-to-face-charges-over-burma-telecom-deal/ |date=3 January 2009 }}. ICT News, 2 August 2007

Thaksin energetically supported his former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai's somewhat improbable campaign to become Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Despite debate and long abandonment of the plan due to the stability of the ground for the location of the airport, the Thaksin government pushed to complete the construction of the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The airport was opened a week after Thaksin's government was overthrown.

Members of Thaksin's government were accused of corruption in the Suvarnabhumi Airport project. These allegations were used by the military junta to justify the 2006 coup.{{cite news |title=Thailand's airport imbroglio grows |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/02/news/thai.php |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=International Herald Tribune |date=2 February 2007}}{{failed verification|date=January 2019}} The junta initiated several investigations into the airport. Nevertheless, investigative panels found that damage to the airport was "minute" and "common." The cost of repairing the damage was estimated at less than one percent of the total airport cost. The junta was accused by its opponents of delaying airport repairs and intensifying the airport's problems to pin further blame on the Thaksin government.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

Thaksin was accused of "policy corruption", such as infrastructure and liberalisation policies that, while legal "...abuse the public's interest,..."{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/01/headlines/headlines_30015092.php|title=Thaksin-era corruption'cost state Bt400 bn'|work=The Nation|date=2 October 2006|access-date= 1 January 2019 |url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115212205/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/01/headlines/headlines_30015092.php|archive-date=15 January 2009}} Supannee Chai-amporn and Sirinthip Arun-rue of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) claimed that policy corruption caused the state to spend 5 to 30 percent more than it otherwise should have spent, costing the state an additional 400 billion baht. Thaksin critics point to more examples of corruption: the Thailand Board of Investment's (BOI) granting tax breaks worth a total of 16.4 billion baht to Shin Satellite for its iPSTAR project in 2003, and the Transport Ministry's decision the same year to abolish the minimum air fare of 3.8 baht per kilometre when Shin Corporation was about to consummate a joint venture with low-cost carrier AirAsia.{{cite news |first=Nophakhun|last=Limsamarnphun|title=Tackling the 'policy corruption' of the Thaksin regime |work=The Nation |date=5 November 2006 |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/05/opinion/opinion_30018078.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013143400/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/05/opinion/opinion_30018078.php |archive-date=13 October 2008 }}

After the 2006 coup, the military junta-appointed Assets Examination Committee froze Thaksin's assets based on charges of policy corruption.{{cite news |title=Thailand's Thaksin Freeze Out |url=http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=536&Itemid=185 |access-date=1 January 2019 |work=Asia Sentinel |date=14 June 2007}}

Thaksin denied the allegations. "They just made up a beautiful term to use against me. There's no such thing in this government. Our policies only serve the interests of the majority of the people", he said. From 2002 to 2006, the stock price of Shin Corporation increased from 38 to 104 baht, up 173 percent, while the stock price of Shin Satellite fell. In the same period, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index rose 161 per cent, and the price of other major SET blue chip companies increased vastly more. Industry deregulation caused the market share of AIS to fall from 68 percent to 53 percent.

Transparency International reported that Thailand's reputation for transparency among business executives improved somewhat during the years of the Thaksin government. In 2001, Thailand's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score was 3.2 (ranked 61), whilst in 2005, the CPI was 3.8 (ranked 59).Thai Public Relations Department, "Thailand's Image on Transparency", 26 October 2004Transparency International [http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2005 TI 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512023516/http://transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2005 |date=12 May 2008 }}Transparency International, [http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2001 Corruption Perceptions Index 2001] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929153638/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2001 |date=29 September 2006 }}

A study of governance indicators worldwide by the World Bank gave Thailand a lower score on "control of corruption" from 2002 to 2005 under Thaksin when compared to the Democrat-led government of 1998–2000.{{cite web |url=http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/pdf/c213.pdf |title=Governance Matters 2009; Worldwide Governance Indicators, 1996–2008; Country Data Report for THAILAND, 1996–2008 |access-date=1 January 2019|publisher=World Bank Institute|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710170031/http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/pdf/c213.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2010 }}

In 2008 Thaksin was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in absentia over a corrupt land deal. In a ruling that made him the first Thai politician ever to be convicted of corruption committed while prime minister, Thaksin was found to have violated conflict of interest rules in helping his wife buy land from a state agency at a seemingly low price.

Immediately after the events of March 2010, Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that he would talk to the red shirt leadership, but not to Thaksin. He criticised Thaksin's wealth and extravagance, contrasting the alleged opulence of the premier's house and the humbler, agrarian roots of many of his supporters. Shortly after, he condemned his opponent's self-proclaimed affinity with ordinary people, the "phrai" ({{langx|th|ไพร่}}), arguing that Thaksin was far closer to the "ammart", or the traditional elites in Thailand's army, bureaucracy, and political parties.{{cite news |last1=Roughneen |first1=Simon |title=Thailand's Blood Red Protest |url=https://thediplomat.com/2010/03/21/thailand%E2%80%99s-blood-red-protest/ |access-date=1 January 2019 |work=The Diplomat |date=21 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527095707/https://thediplomat.com/2010/03/21/thailand%E2%80%99s-blood-red-protest/ |archive-date=27 May 2010}}

Thaksin's government was accused of exerting political influence in its crackdown on unlicensed community radio stations, and Thaksin brought defamation lawsuits against critical journalists.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/06/01/national/index.php?news=national_17552513.html |date=1 June 2005 |work=The Nation|title=Community-radio crackdown panned |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215020/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/06/01/national/index.php?news=national_17552513.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}{{nonspecific|date=January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Acting prime minister files more criminal and defamation lawsuits |website=Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)|date=15 June 2006 |url=http://cpj.org/2006/06/thailand-acting-prime-minister-files-more-criminal.php|access-date=1 January 2019}}

{{See also|Thailand political crisis 2005-2006}}

Image:Thaksin Surakiart 20050915.jpg, 19 September 2005]]

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair{{spaced ndash}}Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in February 2005 elections, winning 374 of 500 seats in parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. But his second term was soon beset by protests, with claims that he presided over a "parliamentary dictatorship".{{cite web|title=Thailand Election Triumph: Re-packaging old politics? |website=ASEAN Focus Group, The Australian National University |access-date=4 April 2009 |url=http://www.aseanfocus.com/asiananalysis/article.cfm?articleID=838 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720192841/http://www.aseanfocus.com/asiananalysis/article.cfm?articleID=838 |archive-date=20 July 2008 }}

The political crisis was catalysed by accusations published by media mogul and popular talk show host Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin supporter who had broken with him. These included accusations that Thaksin:

• Restricted press freedom by suing Sondhi after he printed a sermon by a Luang Ta Maha Bua, a controversial monk.
• Masterminded the desecration of the famous Erawan Shrine

{{Main|Sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings}}

On 23 January 2006, the Shinawatra family sold their entire stake in Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings. The Shinawatra and Damapong families netted about 73 billion baht (about US$1.88 billion) tax-free from the sale, using a regulation that made individuals who sell shares on the stock exchange exempt from capital gains tax.{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/shincorp/shin22.html |work=The Nation|location=Thailand |title=Complex transaction a model for avoiding tax, ownership law |date=27 January 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712041022/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/shincorp/shin22.html |archive-date=12 July 2007 }} Thaksin was the target of accusations of corruption for selling forbidden national assets such as national utility company to a foreign entity in exchange for personal profits and kickbacks. Thai laws at the time disallowed the sale of integral assets of national importance to the public or to any foreign entity, but Thaksin amended the laws to allow such sale.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Protests followed the Shin Corporation sale, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose leaders included Chamlong and Sondhi. Numbers soon swelled to tens of thousands occupying the area around Government House in Bangkok.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

{{Main|April 2006 Thailand legislative election}}

Thaksin announced the dissolution of parliament on 24 February 2006. General elections were scheduled for 2 April.

Thaksin was attacked for calling for snap elections, which in effect prevented any member of parliament from changing parties. In an editorial, The Nation noted it that, "It fails to take into consideration a major fallacy of the concept [of democracy], particularly in a less-developed democracy like ours, in which the impoverished, poorly informed masses are easily manipulated by people of his ilk. And Thaksin's manipulation has been well documented."{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/21/opinion/opinion_20003175.php |title=Democracy put to the ultimate test |work=The Nation |date=21 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231731/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/21/opinion/opinion_20003175.php |archive-date=26 September 2011 }}

Thaksin's TRT Party won the widely boycotted elections, gaining 462 seats in parliament, with a ratio of yes-voters to no-voters of 16:10, not counting non-voters.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000870 |work=The Nation|date=5 October 2006 |title=Thai Rak Thai win 16 million votes: Thaksin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427050223/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000870 |archive-date=27 April 2006 }}

However, by-elections were needed for 40 TRT candidates who failed to win the minimum 20 percent required by the 1997 Constitution in uncontested races.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/03/headlines/headlines_30000858.php |work=The Nation|date=4 April 2006 |title=38 one-horse candidates fail |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206162906/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/03/headlines/headlines_30000858.php |archive-date=6 February 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000955 |work=The Nation|date=5 October 2006 |title=Second round of elections be held on 23 April |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908022737/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000955 |archive-date=8 September 2006 }} The Democrat Party refused to contest them and, along with the PAD, petitioned the Central Administrative Court to cancel them.{{cite news |title=Democrat asks court to cancel 2nd round of election |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30001232 |work=The Nation|date=5 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120030/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30001232 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }} Chamlong Srimuang declared that the PAD would ignore the elections and "go on rallying until Thaksin resigns and Thailand gets a royally appointed prime minister".{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000759 |work=The Nation|date=5 October 2006 |title=PAD ignores vote results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122030026/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000759 |archive-date=22 November 2006 }}

Thaksin had announced on 4 April 2006 that he would not accept the post of prime minister after parliament reconvened, but would continue as caretaker prime minister until then.{{cite news |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/201527/1/.html |date=4 April 2006 |title=Thai PM Thaksin says he'll stop down |access-date=4 April 2006 |archive-date=27 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827181734/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/201527/1/.html |url-status=dead }} He then delegated his functions to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, moved out of Government House, and went on vacation.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Elections were held on 25 April and resulted in the TRT winning 25 of the constituencies and losing two. Yet another round of by-elections on 29 April was scheduled for 13 constituencies. The Thai Rak Thai Party was later accused and found guilty of paying smaller parties to contest the election to fulfill the 20 percent rule, while the Democrat Party was accused of paying smaller parties not to. The by-elections were suspended by the Constitutional Court while it deliberated whether or not to annul the main elections. In press interviews in exile, Thaksin was to insist on his technical majority.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |title=Thaksin Shinawatra Talkasia Transcript |date=12 February 2007 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/01/22/talkasia.thaksin.script/index.html}}

On 8 May 2006, the Constitutional Court ruled 8–6 to invalidate the April elections based on the awkward positioning of voting booths. The ruling was called a landmark case in "judicial activism".{{cite news|work=Bangkok Post |title=End of the beginning in Thailand's crisis 19 May 2006}} The Democrat Party, which had boycotted the April elections, said they were now ready to contest an October election.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/08/headlines/headlines_30003512.php |title=Constitution Court invalidate the April election and order new election |work=The Nation |date=8 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616174003/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/08/headlines/headlines_30003512.php |archive-date=16 June 2006 }}

A new election was ordered and later set for 15 October 2006. The court found the Election Commissioners guilty of malfeasance and jailed them. But the election was cancelled when the military seized power on 19 September.

The Thaksin government faced allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, treason, conflicts of interest, acting non-diplomatically, and muzzling of the press.{{cite news |last1=Austin |first1=Simon |title=A fit and proper Premiership? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6918718.stm |access-date=5 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2007}} Thaksin was accused of tax evasion, lèse majesté (insulting King Bhumibol), and selling assets of Thai companies to international investors.The Star, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080531011055/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F4%2F2%2Ffocus%2F13836842&sec=focus Dreaded day dawns – despite lies and dark forces], 2 April 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/23/politics/politics_20003410.php|title=Vandal's dad distraught|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120012349/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/23/politics/politics_20003410.php|archive-date=20 January 2012}} Independent bodies, including Amnesty International, criticised Thaksin's human rights record. Thaksin was also charged for concealing his wealth during his premiership.{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/08/stories/03080007.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125170907/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/01/08/stories/03080007.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2013-01-25|title=The Hindu: Thaksin swiftly working on Govt. formation|work=hinduonnet.com}}

Protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy massed in 2006, and on 19 September 2006 a military junta which later called itself the Council for National Security (CNS) replaced Thaksin's caretaker government in a coup while he was abroad. The Constitutional Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai party for electoral fraud ex post facto, banning him and TRT executives from politics for five years.BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6712807.stm Thai party's disbandment solves little], 1 June 2007 The CNS-appointed Assets Examination Committee froze Thaksin and his family's assets in Thailand, totalling 76 billion baht (US$2.2 billion), claiming he had become unusually wealthy while in office.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/12/headlines/headlines_30036641.php|title=Thaksin's assets frozen|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809003252/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/12/headlines/headlines_30036641.php|archive-date=9 August 2007}}{{cite news|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/headlines/headlines_30015161.php|title=Slighted Sawat resigns from AEC|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004614/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/headlines/headlines_30015161.php|archive-date=30 September 2007}} Thaksin and his wife had declared assets totalling 15.1 billion baht when he took office in 2001, although he had transferred many of his assets to his children and associates before taking office.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.net/world/2008-11/15/content_7208080.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419053657/http://www.chinadaily.net/world/2008-11/15/content_7208080.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2013|title=Reports: Thailand's former PM Thaksin divorces|work=China Daily}}

Thaksin returned to Thailand on 28 February 2008, after the People's Power Party, which he supported, won the post-coup elections.CNN, (note CNN did not state he actually returned and no one in Thailand knows of his return then.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080227050156/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/thailand.thaksin.ap/index.html Lawyer: Thaksin 'poised' to return], 25 February 2008 But after visiting Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics, he did not return to hear the final supreme court sentence and applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. This was refused, after which he had to move about from one country to another. In October 2008, the Thai Supreme Court found him guilty of a conflict of interest and sentenced him in absentia to two years imprisonment.New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/world/asia/22thai.html?_r=1&oref=login Thai Court Convicts Ex-Premier for Conflict in Land Deal], 21 October 2008

The People's Power Party was later dissolved by the Supreme Court, but party members regrouped to form the Pheu Thai Party, which Thaksin also supported. Thaksin is a supporter, and alleged bankroller, of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka "Red Shirts").BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7996781.stm Thaksin on protests in Thailand], 13 April 2009{{cite news |first=Anucha |last=Charoenpo |title=Thaksin pitches 'all-out' fight |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/14210/thaksin-pitches-all-out-fight |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=30 March 2009 }} The government revoked Thaksin's passport for his role in the UDD's protests during Songkran 2009.{{cite news |title=Thaksin's passport revoked, retains citizenship |work=Bangkok Post |date=15 April 2009 |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/140652/thaksin-passport-revoked-retains-citizenship}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30091056 |title=Thai FM revoked Thaksin's diplomatic passport - Nationmultimedia.com |access-date=29 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331201029/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30091056 |archive-date=31 March 2009 }}MCOT, [http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=9530&t=4 Bt10 million BMA property damage from protest; religious rites to be held] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002103432/http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=9530&t=4 |date=2 October 2011 }}, 16 April 2009 On 26 February 2010, the Supreme Court seized 46 billion baht of his frozen assets, after finding him guilty of abnormal wealth.{{Cite web |date=2010-02-26 |title=Court strips former premier Thaksin of 1.4 billion dollars |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20100226-court-strips-former-premier-thaksin-14-billion-dollars |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=France 24 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Ben |date=2010-02-26 |title=Thaksin Shinawatra stripped of half his fortune for abuse of power |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/26/thaksin-shinawatra |access-date=2024-07-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In 2009 it was announced that Thaksin had obtained Montenegrin citizenship through that country's economic citizenship program.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62G2QM20100317|title=Montenegro says has given Thaksin citizenship|date=17 March 2010|access-date=31 December 2018|publisher=Reuters}}{{cite web |url=http://www.economynews.us/economy/thaksin-shinawatra-leverages-montenegrin-citizenship/ |title=Thaksin Shinawatra Leverages Montenegrin Citizenship |website=economynews.us |access-date=6 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402084912/http://www.economynews.us/economy/thaksin-shinawatra-leverages-montenegrin-citizenship |archive-date=2 April 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/11/Region/571861/Ro%C4%87en+brani+Tajland+od+%C5%A0inavatre|title=Roćen brani Tajland od Šinavatre|trans-title=Roćen defends Thailand from Shinawatra|website=RTS |date=17 March 2010|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106025132/http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/11/Region/571861/Ro%c4%87en+brani+Tajland+od+%c5%a0inavatre|url-status=dead}}{{citation|url=http://eudo-citizenship.eu/docs/CountryReports/Montenegro.pdf|page=17|first=Jelena|last=Džankić|title=Country Report: Montenegro|series=EUDO Citizenship Observatory|date=September 2010|publisher=Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute|location=Florence|access-date=14 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220071452/http://eudo-citizenship.eu/docs/CountryReports/Montenegro.pdf|archive-date=20 February 2011}}

{{Main|2006 Thai coup d'état}}

On the evening of 19 September 2006, while Thaksin was visiting New York City to attend a UN summit and speak at the Council on Foreign Relations, the army took control of Bangkok. At Government House, some 50 soldiers ordered approximately 220 policemen in the complex to lay down their weapons. Troops also surrounded the Thaicom satellite receiving station and state-run television station Channel 11. By the morning of 20 September, tanks and military vehicles armed with machine guns were stationed at Government House, the Royal Plaza, and Ratchadamnoen Avenue.{{cite news |title=Thai armed forces seize Bangkok |work=Reuters |date=19 September 2006 |url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-09-19T164005Z_01_BKK256153_RTRUKOC_0_UK-THAILAND-EMERGENCY.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211164830/http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews |archive-date=11 February 2007 }}

Troops participating in the coup were from the 1st and 3rd Army Regions, the Internal Security Operations Command, the Special Warfare Centre, army units from Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi, and navy sailors.{{cite news|work=The Nation|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/20/headlines/headlines_30014074.php|title=Caretaker PM tries to fight back|date=20 September 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102202724/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/20/headlines/headlines_30014074.php|archive-date=2 November 2006}} According to coup leader Army General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, coup leaders had arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya.{{cite news|work=The Independent|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1621779.ece|title= One night in Bangkok|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008104423/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1621779.ece |archive-date=8 October 2006|url-status=dead|date=19 September 2006}}

The military, originally calling itself the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarch (CDRM), issued a statement citing the government's alleged lèse majesté, corruption, interference with state agencies, and creation of social divisions as reasons for the coup.{{cite news |work=The Nation|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/20/headlines/headlines_30014072.php |title=Statement from the military reformist |date=20 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212504/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/20/headlines/headlines_30014072.php |archive-date=3 March 2016 }} It declared the King of Thailand the head of state, and said elections would be held soon to return democracy to the country. Thaksin departed New York for Great Britain, where he had family.

Many Thai Rak Thai party members were reported to have resigned from the party in the aftermath of the coup for fear that the party would be dissolved by the junta and its members banned from politics. These included Somsak Thepsuthin and 100 members of the Wang Nam Yen faction. It was not clear whether Suriya Jungrungreangkit, another influential member of the faction, would also resign. Sontaya Kunplome was reported to have led 20 members of the Chonburi faction in resigning from the party.{{cite news |work=The Nation|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015188 |title=Sonthaya leads 20 members out of Thai Rak Thai |date=3 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014221431/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015188 |archive-date=14 October 2006 }}{{cite news |work=The Nation|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015187 |title=Somsak leads 100 members to resign from Thai Rak Thai |date=3 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528033455/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015187 |archive-date=28 May 2010 }}

On 2 October 2006 Thaksin and his former deputy Somkid Jatusipitak resigned from the TRT.{{cite news |work=The Nation|date=2 October 2006 |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/03/headlines/headlines_30015263.php |title=Thaksin resigns from Thai Rak Thai |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183911/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/03/headlines/headlines_30015263.php |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}{{cite news |work=The Nation|date=2 October 2006 |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015265 |title=Somkid resigns from Thai Rak Thai Party |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012233156/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015265 |archive-date=12 October 2006 }} Chaturon Chaisang took over as party head.

The TRT was dissolved on 30 May 2007 by the Constitutional Tribunal, which banned over 100 of its executives, including Thaksin, from politics for five years, based on charges that two party executives (Defense Minister Thammarak and Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn) bribed a smaller party to stand in the April 2006 election. The Democrat party was cleared on a similar charge.

{{Main|2006 Bangkok bombings}}

On 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2007, several bombs exploded in Bangkok, killing three and wounding a number of bystanders. Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont accused "those who lost power as a result of the military takeover" of masterminding the bombings, but did not directly identify Thaksin. Thaksin went on CNN to publicly deny any involvement in the bombings. The government did not make any arrests in the case.{{cite web|url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023035.php|title=Surayud suspects 'power losers' as finger—pointing begins|work=The Nation|date=1 January 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220033330/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023035.php|archive-date=20 February 2007}}

Thaksin's diplomatic passport was revoked on 31 December 2006 after the junta accused him of engaging in political activities while in exile. Thai embassies were ordered not to aid him in his travels.

A junta-appointed Assets Examination Committee (AEC) froze Thaksin's assets and attempted to bring charges against him. The AEC was criticised for being stacked with anti-Thaksin appointees. At one point, AEC Secretary Kaewsan Atibodhi claimed that "evidence and witnesses are useless", when an AEC panel recommended legal action without hearing 300 witnesses or considering 100 additional pieces of evidence.Bangkok Post, 9 April 2008 The AEC froze Thaksin's assets.

In January 2007, the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) complied with an AEC request to file a charge against Thaksin and his wife for their purchase of four 772 million baht plots of land from the FIDF in 2003. The charge was based on an alleged violation of Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which prohibits government officials and their spouses from entering into or having interests in contracts made with state agencies under their authority.

The AEC also accused Thaksin of issuing an unlawful cabinet resolution approving the spending of state funds to buy rubber saplings.

In March 2007, the Office of the Attorney-General charged Thaksin's wife and brother-in-law with conspiring to evade taxes of 546 million baht (US$15.6 million) in a 1997 transfer of Shin Corporation shares.

The AEC found Thaksin guilty of malfeasance for obstructing competition by imposing an excise tax on telecom operators. Thaksin's Cabinet had approved the relevant executive decree in 2003.

As prime minister, Thaksin had unsuccessfully sought to buy the English Premier League football clubs Fulham and later Liverpool, in what critics claimed was a publicity stunt in response to his political problems.{{cite news |last1=Petty |first1=Martin |title=City takeover keeps Thaksin in the political limelight |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-england-city-thaksin/newsmaker-city-takeover-keeps-thaksin-in-the-political-limelight-idUKSP17548520070706?pageNumber=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102193433/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-england-city-thaksin/newsmaker-city-takeover-keeps-thaksin-in-the-political-limelight-idUKSP17548520070706?pageNumber=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2019 |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=Reuters |date=6 July 2007}}

On 21 June 2007, now out of office, Thaksin bought Premier League club Manchester City for £81.6 million.PLUS Markets Group [https://archive.today/20070911041449/http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/story.shtml?ISIN=GB0005599336&NewsID=25324 Manchester City PLC – Offer unconditional in all respects], 7 July 2007 He became briefly popular with fans (who nicknamed him "Frank"),{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/11/football.comment | work=The Guardian | first=Simon | last=Hattenstone | title=Why Thaksin's billions are a fan's living nightmare | date=10 July 2007}} especially after appointing Sven-Göran Eriksson manager of the club and bringing in prominent players.Official Manchester City website, [http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F8664DE80%7D&newsid=439107&siteid=&pageno=1&newscategory=&frommonth=5&fromyear=2007&tomonth=7&toyear=2007 Sven-Goran Eriksson appointed Manchester City Manager] 6 July 2007 Eriksson was later critical of Thaksin's running of the club, saying "he [Thaksin] didn't understand football – he hadn't a clue."{{Cite news|title=England need a winter break, says Sven-Goran Eriksson |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8682830/England-need-a-winter-break-says-Sven-Goran-Eriksson.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8682830/England-need-a-winter-break-says-Sven-Goran-Eriksson.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=4 August 2011 |first=Henry |last=Winter |access-date=4 August 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}} He sold the club to investors from Abu Dhabi United Group in September 2008 for a reported £200 million.{{cite news |title=Manchester City Owner Agrees to Sell to Abu Dhabi|work=Bloomberg |date =2 September 2008 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a1QqM9gkEXWQ&refer=uk}}

After selling Manchester City, Thaksin was nominated as "honorary president" but did not have any administrative responsibilities.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/01/world/europe/01iht-thaksin.1.15793147.html|title=Thaksin sells Manchester City club to Emirates group|date= 1 September 2008}} However, he was later dismissed as honorary club president after the club took a position against him following his conviction and was "on the run" from Thai authorities.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/10/manchester-city-thaksin-sacked|title=Football: Manchester City dump Thaksin Shinawatra from president's role|author=Daniel Taylor|work=The Guardian}}

In May 2007, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thaksin was free to return to Thailand, and he would personally guarantee Thaksin's safety. In January 2008 Thaksin's wife Potjaman was arrested on arrival in Bangkok but released on bail after appearing at the Supreme Court, with orders not to leave the country.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7176160.stm |title= Thaksin's wife back in Thailand |date=8 January 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |work=BBC News}} She was set to be tried for alleged violation of stock-trading and land sale laws.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7203913.stm news.bbc.co.uk, Ex-PM's wife set for Thai trial] BBC News

On 28 February 2008, Thaksin arrived in Bangkok after 17 months in exile. Thaksin stated that he would not re-enter politics and wished to focus on his football interests.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7268222.stm |title= Former Thai PM Thaksin back home |date=28 February 2008 |access-date=4 June 2016 |work=BBC News}} In March Thaksin pleaded not guilty before the Supreme Court in one of his two criminal corruption cases. He was ordered to report back on 11 April after the court granted a month-long trip to England.[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-11-1494166500_x.htm "Thaksin Pleads Not Guilty in Thai Court"] By Ambika Ahuja, 12 March 2008, Associated Press (published by USA Today)

In June the Supreme Court denied Thaksin's request to travel to China and Britain, since his corruption case was set for trial and was ordered to surrender his passport after arraignment.{{cite news|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=44068|title=Thai court blocks Thaksin trip to China, Britain|work=The Daily Star|access-date=4 June 2016|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194137/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=44068|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=128693 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731052520/http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=128693 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 July 2012 |title='And don't leave town' |work=Bangkok Post|access-date=19 February 2010}} In July the court assumed jurisdiction over the fourth corruption charge against Thaksin concerning soft loans to Burma. The court also agreed to hear allegations that Thaksin, his former cabinet, and three members of the current government broke anti-gambling laws by setting up the new state lottery in 2003.{{cite news|url=http://voanews.com/english/2008-07-30-voa9.cfm |title=Thailand Court Agrees to Hear Case Against Thaksin |work=VOA News |date=30 July 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809224702/http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-30-voa9.cfm |archive-date=9 August 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/FREE/339045120/1031/CONTACT/-/-/burmese-loan-case-is-fourth-supreme-court-charge-against-thaksin |title=Burmese loan case is fourth supreme court charge against Thaksin |work=Crain's Manchester Business |date=30 July 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010}}

Potjaman was found guilty on 31 July and sentenced to three years imprisonment, then released on bail. The Bangkok Criminal Court also convicted her adopted brother Bhanapot Damapong and her secretary, who allegedly held assets for Thaksin by proxy, of tax evasion.{{Cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6ljC-lNwiNjsZvTOWKfVTImItGgD928KRS80|title=ap.google.com, Thaksin's wife found guilty of tax evasion}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/07/31/asia/OUKWD-UK-THAILAND-THAKSIN.php |title=Ex-Thai PM's wife guilty of tax fraud |work=International Herald Tribune |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=19 February 2010}}

File:Wanted poster Thaksin.jpg for Thaksin Shinawatra, issued by the Royal Thai Police on 13 August 2008, after his flight to London and failure to appear in court on 11 August 2008]]

On 10 August 2008, Thaksin and Potjaman violated their bail terms by attending the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing.{{cite news|last=Hookway |first=James |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121843755522429293?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Thaksin to Live in U.K. Amid Court Case in Thailand |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=12 August 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010}} Stating that he wished to return to Thailand but claimed it was not currently safe for him and his family.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7553028.stm |title= Ex-Thai PM 'will remain in UK' |date=11 August 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |work=BBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bankingFinancial/idUSBKK4972420080811?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=Ex-Thai PM Thaksin skips bail, stocks jump |work=Reuters |date=11 August 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010}} Thaksin sought political asylum in the United Kingdom,{{cite web |url=http://news.smashits.com/281898/Former-Thai-premier-seeks-asylum-in-Britain.htm |title=Former Thai premier seeks asylum in Britain |website=News.smashits.com |date=19 September 2006 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323004713/http://news.smashits.com/281898/Former-Thai-premier-seeks-asylum-in-Britain.htm |archive-date=23 March 2009 }} claiming his political enemies were interfering with the judiciary. There is no evidence that he proceeded with his request and his asylum case was neither approved nor declined.

The Thailand Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions issued a second arrest warrant on 16 September 2008 against Thaksin over another of the four pending corruption cases and ordered suspension of the trial.{{cite news |url=http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/16/politics/politics_30083562.php |title=Second arrest warrant against fugitive ex-premier issued |work=The Nation |date=21 September 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115211739/http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/16/politics/politics_30083562.php |archive-date=15 January 2009 }}{{Cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXtkIJGFlHXR5qT3LIG2olEVZyFQD937JQ1O0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919033058/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gXtkIJGFlHXR5qT3LIG2olEVZyFQD937JQ1O0|url-status=dead|title=ap.google.com, Thai court issues arrest warrant for Thaksin|archive-date=19 September 2008}} Several more arrest warrants were issued over his subsequent non-appearance at various corruption trials.{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/120997/Thai-court-issues-fresh-warrant-for-ex-PM-Thaksin |title=Thai court issues fresh warrant for ex-PM Thaksin |website=Gmanews.tv |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417054235/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/120997/Thai-court-issues-fresh-warrant-for-ex-PM-Thaksin |archive-date=17 April 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_world.php?id=359732 |title=Thai Court Postpones Verdict Against Ousted Premier Thaksin, Wife on Land Case |website=Bernama.com.my |access-date=19 February 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |author=(AFP) – 14 October 2008 |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5heJcZgyxfvBI1i86uxyb-Ma_lIuw |title=Thai court issues fifth arrest warrant for ousted PM Thaksin |date=14 October 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520180419/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5heJcZgyxfvBI1i86uxyb-Ma_lIuw |archive-date=20 May 2011 }}{{cite web|author=The Earthtimes |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/237073,thai-court-issues-a-sixth-arrest-warrant-for-former-premier.html |title=Thai court issues a sixth arrest warrant for former premier |website=Earthtimes.org |access-date=19 February 2010}}

{{cite web |url=http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=6793 |title=Thai court issues fifth arrest warrant for Thaksin |website=Enews.mcot.net |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105005405/http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=6793 |archive-date=5 January 2009 }}

{{See also|Potjaman Shinawatra#Ratchadaphisek land purchase controversy}}

On 21 October 2008, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruled that Thaksin, while prime minister, abused his power to help his wife buy public land at auction, and sentenced him to two years in jail.[Online]. Available: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7681416.stm Thai ex-PM guilty of corruption] BBC (21 October 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2008)

Soon after, Thaksin told Reuters, "I have been informed of the result. I had long anticipated that it would turn out this way", and added that the case was politically motivated.[http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=131548 Thaksin guilty of corruption] Bangkok Post (21 October 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2008){{Dead link|date=July 2011}}

Chief prosecutor Seksan Bangsombun called on Britain to extradite him.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Thailand-Thaksin-Shinawatra-Sentenced-To-Two-Years-In-Jail-For-Abuse-Of-Power-While-Prime-Minister/Article/200810315125134?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15125134_Thailand%3A_Thaksin_Shinawatra_Sentenced_To_Two_Years_In_Jail_For_Abuse_Of_Power_While_Prime_Minister |title=Ex-Thai PM Guilty of Corruption |publisher=Sky News |access-date=19 February 2010}} Thaksin now denied he was seeking political asylum in Britain.{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKBKK1964020081021?sp=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224230342/http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKBKK1964020081021?sp=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2008 |title=Thai court sentences Thaksin to jail in graft case |date=21 October 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 | work=Reuters}}

On 10 November 2008, a Philippine spokesman said his government would "politely" turn down any request for political refuge from Thaksin due to Manila's "friendly" relations with Bangkok.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081110-171229/RP-closes-door-on-Thaksin |title=RP closes door on Thaksin |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418023813/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081110-171229/RP-closes-door-on-Thaksin |archive-date=18 April 2009 }}{{cite web |author=(AFP) – 8 November 2008 |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIJDty8bXGTsp4wJ0RfqmtmSKzMg |title=Philippine asylum for Thaksin unlikely: foreign dept official |date=8 November 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418065844/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIJDty8bXGTsp4wJ0RfqmtmSKzMg |archive-date=18 April 2009 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/388799/1/.html |title=Philippine foreign dept official says asylum for Thaksin unlikely |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010}}

The British Government Home Office, meanwhile, revoked Potjaman and Thaksin's visas due to their convictions, while the Bangkok British Embassy e-mailed airlines asking them to disallow either of them to board flights to Britain.[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/09/news/10thaksin.php UK visa revoked, Thaksin looks for new home] International Herald Tribune In late 2008, Arabian Business reported that the UK froze US$4.2 billion of his assets in the UK. The UK government did not confirm or deny this claim.Straits Times, [http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_318574.html Down to his last US$500m] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309110255/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/SE+Asia/Story/STIStory_318574.html |date=9 March 2009 }}, 26 December 2008

Thaksin had reportedly considered sanctuaries such as China, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, and several other countries in South America and Africa. Reports said the Shinawatras were granted honorary citizenship by the Bahamas and Nicaragua, and were building a £5.5 million home in China. As of late-May 2009, he reportedly remained in Dubai.{{cite news |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/388847/1/.html |title=Thailand to push Thaksin extradition wherever he goes |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |archive-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416201126/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/388847/1/.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |author=(AFP) – 9 November 2008 |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gEpvCQ8QzDppeQTiAAWBHv91BoPA |title=Thailand to push Thaksin extradition wherever he goes: officials |date=9 November 2008 |access-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418064751/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gEpvCQ8QzDppeQTiAAWBHv91BoPA |archive-date=18 April 2009 }}{{cite news |title=Police: Thaksin still in UAE |work=Bangkok Post |date=21 May 2009 |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/143938/police-thaksin-still-in-uae}} A spokesman claimed Thaksin was travelling on six passports, none of them Thai.{{cite news |title=Thaksin no Cambodian passport |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/143999/thaksin-doesn-t-have-cambodian-passport |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=22 May 2009 }} In December 2008 Thaksin obtained a residency permit for Germany{{cite news |title=Germany lifts travel ban on fugitive Thaksin |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/07/28/national/Germany-lifts-travel-ban-on-fugitive-Thaksin-30161360.html |newspaper=The Nation |date=28 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206075302/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/07/28/national/Germany-lifts-travel-ban-on-fugitive-Thaksin-30161360.html |archive-date=6 December 2013 }} which was subsequently withdrawn on 28 May 2009 when the German government became aware of the arrangement. Thaksin then obtained status as a diplomat of Nicaragua.[https://archive.today/20130212110617/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/,ra1l1/politik/504/471048/text/ Ein Milliardär auf dem Amt], Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 4 June 2009 {{in lang|de}} Guido Westerwelle, German foreign minister, lifted the travel restriction banning Thaksin from entering Germany on 15 July 2011 after the election victory of Thaksin's proxy party.

In a November 2009 interview, Thaksin told The Times that he was living in Dubai, still had access to about US$100 million of his money outside of Thailand, and was investing in gold mines, diamond polishing, and lottery licenses in various countries.{{cite news |last1=Parry |first1=Richard Lloyd |title=Thaksin Shinawatra: the full transcript of his interview with The Times |url=http://www.teleaccess.co.th/GNews/Attach00028-01-TimesOnline-Thaksin.pdf |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=The Times |date=9 November 2009}}

{{Main|April 2009 Thai political unrest}}

In mid-April 2009, violent protests of mostly Thaksin supporters calling themselves the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) led to the cancellation of the ASEAN summit in Pattaya and a declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok. Thaksin had given encouragement at UDD rallies via satellite and phone-in link, at one point calling for a "people's revolution". Following suppression of the protests he claimed to have merely been offering "moral support".{{cite web |title=Opposition raises specter of civil war in Thailand |author=Brian McCartan |website=World Politics Review |url=http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=3691}}

Thaksin supported protests by the UDD against the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, demanding Thaksin be allowed to return free from all the earlier corruption charges. Thaksin denied leading the UDD, claiming he only gave them "moral support".

In April 2009, Privy Councilor General Pichitr Kullavanijaya reported he had been informed by former US ambassador to Thailand Ralph L. Boyce that Thaksin had laundered 100 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) through Cayman Island bank accounts to organise the anti-government protests. Boyce himself said that he had "...no idea why he was cited as a knowledgeable source about where Thaksin may or may not have made deposits, and that he has no such information."{{cite news |last1=Crispin |first1=Shawn W |title=Smoke, mirrors and lies |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KD17Ae02.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002045322/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KD17Ae02.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 October 2021 |access-date=2 January 2019 |work=Asia Times |date=17 April 2009}}

On 4 November 2009, it was announced that Thaksin had been appointed as special advisor to the Cambodian government and Hun Sen and stated that Cambodia would refuse to extradite Thaksin because it considered him a victim of political persecution. On 5 November 2009, both countries recalled their ambassadors.{{cite news|title=Thai envoy recalled from Cambodia |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8343703.stm|date=5 November 2009 |work=BBC News}}

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated this was "the first diplomatic retaliation measure". Stating Cambodia was interfering in Thailand's internal affairs and as a result all bilateral agreements would be reviewed.{{cite news|title=Recall of envoys escalates Thai-Cambodian tensions|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1100762&lang=eng_news|work=Etaiwan News|date=5 November 2009|access-date=10 November 2009|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306225428/http://etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1100762&lang=eng_news|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title= Cambodia recalls ambassador to Thailand over Thaksin issue |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/05/content_12395491.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108063956/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/05/content_12395491.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2009|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=5 November 2009}} Sok An, a member of the Council of Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, said Thaksin's appointment is a decision internal to Cambodia and "conforms to international practice". The mutual withdrawal of ambassadors is the most severe diplomatic action to have occurred between the two countries.

On 11 November 2009, Sivarak Chutipong was arrested by Cambodian police for passing the confidential flight plans of Thaksin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Kamrob Palawatwichai, First Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy in Cambodia. Sivarak was a Thai engineer working in Cambodia for Cambodia Air Traffic Service, the private firm which managed air traffic control in Cambodia.{{cite news|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009111329536/Online-Edition/thai-national-arrested-for-espionage.html|title=Search|work=Phnom Penh Post}} Sivarak denied that he was a spy, and the Thai government claimed that he was innocent and that the incident was a Thaksin/Cambodian plot to further damage relations between the two countries. The Thai First Secretary was expelled from Cambodia. Sivarak demanded that former First Secretary Kamrob speak out and restore his damaged reputation by confirming he was not involved in a spy ring. Kamrob refused to provide comment to the press throughout the controversy, and Kasit's secretary, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, insisted that although that there was no misconduct on the part of the First Secretary or Sivarak, there would be no statement from Kamrob.{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/29256/irate-sivarak-demands-answers|title=Irate Sivarak demands answers|work=Bangkok Post}}

Sivarak was later sentenced to jail for seven years. Thaksin requested the Cambodian government to pardon Sivarak, and he was soon pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni and expelled. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban later accused Sivarak of staging his own arrest in order to discredit the Abhisit government.Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/162987/sivarak-mum-may-sue-suthep Sivarak's mum threatens to sue Suthep], 17 December 2009 Former Thai spy chief and Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri concurred, claiming, "It has been a set-up from the beginning.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/10/politics/politics_30118266.php|title=Mother justifies seeking royal pardon for her son|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617004136/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/10/politics/politics_30118266.php|archive-date=17 June 2011}}

On 26 February 2010, the Thai Supreme Court was scheduled to render its verdict on whether to seize Thaksin's Thai assets, worth 76 billion baht frozen by the AEC after the coup. The AEC froze the assets under the authority of Announcement No. 30 of the military junta. Tensions ran high throughout Thailand. Tens of thousands of government security forces were deployed, particularly in routes leading to Bangkok. However, the UDD denied that it would rally on the date of the verdict.Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/32952/security-forces-ready-for-action Security forces ready for action], 16 February 2010Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/168673/udd-won-t-rally-on-feb-26 UDD won't rally on 26 February], 16 February 2010 The nine Supreme Court judges had to make a judgment on accusations of abnormal wealth through policy corruption. Policy corruption, was defined by the court as the abuse of powers by implementing economic policies that, while in themselves legal and of potential benefit to society and the economy, also aided companies that were owned in part by the policy maker. The prosecution claimed that Thaksin abused his powers five times while premier.

File:Judgment-of-the-Supreme-Court-of-Thailand-26022010-firstlastpages.jpg

The court first ruled that Thaksin and Potjaman were the real owners of the assets, rather than his children and relatives. The court also ruled that it had the authority to seize assets, based on the announcements of the junta. The court found Thaksin guilty of four out of five policy corruption, and ordered that 46 billion baht be seized. The remaining 30 billion was to remain frozen.

• Count 1: Conversion of telecom concession fees into excise charges. Previously, telecom operators had to pay TOT/CAT a percentage of their revenue as a concession fee (TOT/CAT are state-owned enterprises, although they were going through the process of privatisation). The Thaksin government modified this into a system wherein all operators would instead directly pay the government an equivalent excise tax. The imposition of excise tax here would eventually be passed on to consumers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/28/politics/Telecom-laws-were-manipulated-to-benefit-Shin-Corp-30123620.html|title=Telecom laws were manipulated to benefit Shin Corp subsidiary AIS, says court|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617004210/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/28/politics/Telecom-laws-were-manipulated-to-benefit-Shin-Corp-30123620.html|archive-date=17 June 2011}} Thaksin claimed that all operators continued to pay the same total costs. The judges ruled that this benefited AIS while harming TOT, and thus was an abuse of power.
• Count 2: Modification of a revenue sharing agreement on pre-paid mobile services. Previously, telecom operators had to pay TOT a percentage of their revenues for post-paid mobile services. To offer pre-paid services, which generally cost the consumer less, AIS negotiated with TOT to design a revenue sharing agreement for pre-paid services that offered less revenue to TOT, an estimated loss of 14.2 billion baht (revenue reduced from 25 to 20 percent) from 2001 to 2006 and another estimated loss of 56 billion baht (revenue reduced from 30 to 20 percent) from 2006 to 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/28/politics/Minefield-of-criminal-cases-awaits-Thaksin-30123621.html|title=Minefield of criminal cases awaits Thaksin|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302143058/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/28/politics/Minefield-of-criminal-cases-awaits-Thaksin-30123621.html|archive-date=2 March 2010}} The judges ruled that the terms of the pre-paid agreement harmed TOT while benefiting AIS. The judges did not dispute the fact that TOT's total revenue actually increased substantially as a result of the agreement, but noted that the rise in pre-paid revenue came about while harming TOT's post-paid revenue. The massive growth in Thai mobile penetration from 13 percent in 2001 to 80 percent in 2007, due almost completely to pre-paid services, and the reduction in AIS market share from 68 to 53 percent in the same period were not taken into account by the court.
• Count 3: Modification of mobile roaming agreement. Previously, there were no roaming agreements between mobile operators – subscribers from one operator were not allowed to use services on another operator's network, thus limiting the growth of the mobile industry. Under the Thaksin government, roaming was allowed, with roaming fees deducted from the revenue that AIS and other operators had to share with TOT and other state enterprises. Essentially, TOT helped AIS shoulder the costs of its subscribers roaming on the mobile networks of other operators. This reduced TOT and CAT's income while benefiting the operators. However, the judges ruled that it while benefited AIS, it did so to the benefit of AIS's new owners (Temasek Holdings) rather than Thaksin, and hence was not an abuse of power.
• Count 4: Replacement of ThaiCom 4 with iPSTAR. A previous government had originally contracted with ShinSat to launch and operate ThaiCom 4 as a backup satellite for ThaiCom 3. Instead, ShinSat negotiated with the Thaksin government to launch iPSTAR, at the time the largest commercial satellite in history, which it claimed could offer commercial internet services while also providing backup for ThaiCom 3. However, the claim is not technically possible since iPSTAR does not have C-band transponders as Thaicom 3. Shin Corp's ownership in ShinSat was subsequently reduced from 51% to 40%. The judges found that the changes in ownership and satellite specification change reduced Thailand's communications security by not having the backup satellite for ThaiCom 3 on the one-to-one basis. It also noted that the negotiations allowed ShinSat to launch a satellite with much greater commercial potential than ThaiCom 4 without having to bid for a separate concession agreement.
• Count 5: EXIM Bank loan to Myanmar to pay for ThaiCom services. Thaksin was scheduled to meet with Burmese leaders to negotiate trade deals between the two countries. One of the deals negotiated gave Myanmar a Thai EXIM Bank loan to purchase 376 million baht in satellite services from ShinSat. Thaksin noted that many deals were struck in the negotiations, and that 16 other companies also benefited from the EXIM Bank's loans. The judges ruled that the loans gave preferential treatment to Thaksin, and hence were an abuse of power.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/26/politics/Timeline-on-Thaksins-Judgement-Day-30123503.html|title=Thaksin guilty, Bt46 bn seized, Bt30 bn returned|work=The Nation|location=Thailand|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301054928/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/26/politics/Timeline-on-Thaksins-Judgement-Day-30123503.html|archive-date=1 March 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thaksinlive.com/2010/02/headlines/722|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225032201/http://www.thaksinlive.com/2010/02/headlines/722|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-02-25|title=Thaksin Shinawatra|work=thaksinlive.com}}

The judges decided to seize 46 billion differences in value of Shin Corp. shares from the date when he came to office and the value when the shares were sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in early 2006. Note that, Thaksin had declared around 500 million baht in assets and Pojaman had 8 billion to 9 billion baht while Thaksin served as prime minister. Nevertheless, during that period, Shin shares gained 121%, compared with a 128% gain in the benchmark SET index, while Siam Cement, one of Thailand's premier blue chip companies, gained 717%.Wall Street Journal, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704625004575088720584763744?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories, Thai Court Rules to Seize $1.4 Billion From Thaksin], 26 February 2010 The judges did not find that Thaksin was guilty of malfeasance. They also noted that any benefit to the government from Thaksin's policies was irrelevant to the ruling. The government reaped approximately 100 billion baht in increased revenue from changes in the concession agreements alone.{{Cite web |url=http://www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/camt/fr/egf/donnees_efg/1996_027/old_cie_generale_francaise_de_tram_FICHE.html |title=COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE FRANÇAISE DE TRAMWAYS – CGFT |language=fr |access-date=20 January 2019 |year=1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617044359/http://www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/camt/fr/egf/donnees_efg/1996_027/old_cie_generale_francaise_de_tram_FICHE.html |archive-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}

In an email to his supporters, Thaksin claimed that the court was used as a tool. He also noted how the Thai stock market rose to the benefit of many companies, not just his, and claimed that all charges against him were politically motivated. He thanked his supporters for not protesting while the verdict was being read, and implored them to use non-violent means in the future. Pojaman na Pombejra insisted that tens of billions of baht of her wealth had been given to her children and relatives well before Thaksin took office in 2001 and denied that her children and relatives were nominees of her and her husband. She also denied having any control over Ample Rich and Win Mark, two firms that the AEC had accused of being her nominees.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/10/politics/It%27s-my-money-Pojaman-30122199.html|title=It's my money: Pojaman| work=The Nation|location=Thailand|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225141212/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/10/politics/It%26039%3Bs-my-money-Pojaman-30122199.html|archive-date=25 February 2010}} In spite of Pojaman's claim, Thaksin was the authorised signature for Ample Rich through 2005, making him the only individual authorised to withdraw funds from the company's account until he transferred the authority to his children, four years after he took office in 2001.{{cite news|author=Thaithon|date=6 March 2010|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/06/opinion/How-evidence-trapped-Thaksin-30124060.html|title=How evidence trapped Thaksin|work=The Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617004539/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/06/opinion/How-evidence-trapped-Thaksin-30124060.html|archive-date=17 June 2011}}

Some UDD members held a small protest in front of the court, but did not disrupt the ruling as the government had predicted they would. The UDD leaders announced that a large-scale protest was scheduled to be held on 14 March 2010.

On the evening of 27 February, M67 grenades were thrown from a motorcycle outside three branches of Bangkok Bank. Nobody was hurt or injured in the attacks. The perpetrators were not caught, and no organisation claimed responsibility for the attacks. Thaksin and the UDD were quick to deny any involvement.{{cite news|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/PM-pleads-for-public-calm-following-several-Bangko-30123642.html |date=n.d.|title=PM pleads for public calm following several Bangkok bomb attacks |work=The Nation|access-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303045519/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/PM-pleads-for-public-calm-following-several-Bangko-30123642.html |archive-date=3 March 2010 }}Bangkok Post, [http://bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170009/stringent-security-measures-invoked Stringent security measures invoked], 28 February 2010 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807115951/http://bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170009/stringent-security-measures-invoked |date=7 August 2011 }}Bangkok Post, [http://bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170025/udd-denies-link-in-bomb-attacks UDD denies link in bomb attacks], 28 February 2010 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807120355/http://bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170025/udd-denies-link-in-bomb-attacks |date=7 August 2011 }} An arrest warrant was issued based on sketches of a motorcycle driver.{{cite news |title=Warrant issued for bomb suspect |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170129/warrant-issued-for-bomb-suspect |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304054852/http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170129/warrant-issued-for-bomb-suspect |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2010 |work=Bangkok Post|date=1 March 2010}}

The law does not allow the prime minister to run a side business while holding office. Charges were pressed against Thaksin on wealth concealment while in office.{{cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20091221-187194.html|title=Thaksin assets case verdict due in January|work=AsiaOne|date=21 December 2009|access-date=16 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2005-Pu-Z/Shinawatra-Thaksin.html|last=Trickey |first=Erick |title=Thaksin Shinawatra|website=Encyclopedia of World Biography}}

Prior to the wealth declaration of Thaksin and his family when he took office, there had been an appeal to The National Anti-Corruption Commission that there were some suspicions about the numbers in the report.

Thaksin was charged with illegally concealing billions of baht of his wealth by transferring ownership of Shin Corp. shares to his drivers and maids without their knowledge. Thaksin tearfully told the Constitutional Court that it was an honest mistake before the Court acquitted him on the charges.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/none/thaksins-political-roller-coaster-887576|title=Thaksin court drama grips Bangkok|work=CNNGo|date=26 February 2010|access-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504192344/http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/none/thaksins-political-roller-coaster-887576|archive-date=4 May 2010|url-status=dead}}

There was also a controversy over whether there was any hidden tax evasion when Thaksin and Potjaman transferred their Shin Corporation shares to their children. Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra were accused of being nominees of their parents.

The transfer of shares from Thaksin and Potjaman to Parnthongtae was claimed to have been a sham, since there was no actual transfer of money. Panthongtae said the shares were sold to him at cost. Thaksin stated he had a written agreement proving the transfer to his son. Prior to the transfer, Panthongtae had signed an agreement with his father to settle a 4.5 billion baht debt from buying 300 million shares of the Thai Military Bank (TMB). However, the actual market value of the TMB shares at that time was only 1.5 billion baht. This showed a "fake debt" of 3 billion baht had been created.{{cite news|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/01/columnists/Door-now-open-for-more-agencies-to-reclaim-their-m-30123674.html|title=Door now open for more agencies to reclaim their money|work=The Nation|date=1 March 2010 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304132514/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/01/columnists/Door-now-open-for-more-agencies-to-reclaim-their-m-30123674.html|archive-date=4 March 2010}} The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) discovered that the account of Panthongtae's which had received Shin Corporation's dividend had also been used to transfer money to Potjaman's account, to the amount of 1.1 billion baht.

Pintongtha was also accused of being a nominee for her parents. She said that the money from her mother was a "birthday present". This birthday present was used to buy 367 million shares of Shin Corporation, which left her brother with the same amount. The AEC found the account had been receiving dividends from Shin Corp. There were no transactions between Pintongtha's account and her mother's account. However, the dividend money was used to buy SC Asset shares from WinMark to the amount of 71 million baht and shares from 5 real-estate firms from 2 funds in 2004 worth 485 million baht.

DSI, AEC, and Securities and Exchange Commission discovered that both WinMark and the two funds are owned by Thaksin and his former wife.{{cite news |title=Potjaman insists family assets of B76bn were legally earned |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/23916/potjaman-insists-family-assets-of-b76bn-were-legally-earned |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923140603/http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/23916/potjaman-insists-family-assets-of-b76bn-were-legally-earned |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2009 |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=16 September 2009 }}

File:Thaksin pays homage to the royal portrait.png after returning to Thailand after 15 years of exile]]

During the run-up to the 2023 general election, Thaksin announced his intent to return to Thailand,{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra Plans Return To Thailand Amid Ongoing Political Crisis |url=https://theaseandaily.com/former-thai-pm-thaksin-shinawatra-plans-return-to-thailand-amid-ongoing-political-crisis/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=THE ASEAN DAILY |language=en-US}} after 15 years of self-imposed exile. He said that he was willing to serve his prison sentences in order to finally return home and be with his family.{{cite news |last1=Wongcha-um |first1=Panu |title=Thailand's influential ex-PM Thaksin eyes July return from exile |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-influential-ex-pm-thaksin-eyes-july-return-exile-2023-05-09/ |access-date=22 August 2023 |work=Reuters |date=9 May 2023 |language=en}} Following several postponements as the government formation process dragged on, he arrived on 22 August, the same day that Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin would be voted in as prime minister, and was promptly taken to the Supreme Court and then Bangkok Remand Prison to serve a sentence of eight years. Political observers believed that he would be unlikely to serve the entire sentence, and that his return was negotiated as part of a political deal that also brought military-oriented parties into the coalition government.{{cite news |last1=Ratcliffe |first1=Rebecca |last2=Siradapuvadol |first2=Navaon |title=Thaksin Shinawatra jailed on return to Thailand as his party regains power |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/22/thaksin-shinawatra-anger-and-anticipation-in-thailand-as-exiled-former-pm-expected-to-return |access-date=22 August 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=22 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Jonathan |title=Thaksin Shinawatra: Former Thailand PM jailed after return from exile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66577725 |access-date=23 August 2023 |work=BBC News |date=22 August 2023}}

His sentence was commuted from eight years to one year by King Vajiralongkorn on 1 September after he submitted a formal royal pardon request.{{Cite web |author1=Kocha Olarn |author2=Helen Regan |date=2024-02-13 |title=Thailand's jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be freed |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/asia/thailand-thaksin-shinawatra-granted-parole-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Thepgumpanat |first1=Panarat |last2=Wongcha-um |first2=Panu |date=2023-09-01 |title=Thai king commutes former PM Thaksin's prison sentence to one year |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-king-reduces-former-pm-thaksins-prison-sentence-one-year-2023-09-01/ |access-date=2023-09-01}} On 13 February 2024, Thai justice minister Tawee Sodsong announced that Thaksin was among 930 prisoners who had been granted parole on account of age and health.{{Cite news |date=13 February 2024 |title=Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be freed: Reports |language=en |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/13/thailands-former-prime-minister-thaksin-shinawatra-to-be-freed-reports |access-date=13 February 2024}} He was released on parole on 18 February, after spending six months in a Bangkok hospital.{{Cite web |title=Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin released on parole |url=https://www.dw.com/en/thailands-former-prime-minister-thaksin-released-on-parole/a-68290503 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=dw.com |language=en}} Shinawatra, wearing a neck brace and sitting beside his daughters Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Pintongta was driven away from the police hospital and arrived at his Bangkok mansion after his release.{{cite news |title=Thaksin Shinawatra: Former Thai prime minister released on parole|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68329953|accessdate=February 18, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=February 18, 2024}} On 14 March, he made his first public appearance since his release at the City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok wearing a neck brace and accompanied by Paetongtarn, before going to Chiang Mai Province.{{cite news |title=Former Thai leader Thaksin makes first public appearances after release from detention |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-politics-thaksin-chiang-mai-pheu-thai-6d7bbe4de0d0e6ef16b3dfb55cc00caf |access-date=March 14, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |date=March 14, 2024}}

In May 2024, Thaksin was charged with lèse-majesté by the Attorney-General over remarks he made during an interview with South Korean media while in exile in 2015.{{cite news |title=Former Thailand PM Thaksin Shinawatra to go on trial for royal insult |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/29/former-thailand-pm-thaksin-shinawatra-to-go-on-trial-for-royal-insult |access-date=May 29, 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=May 29, 2024}} On 14 June, Thaksin was charged with royal defamation.{{cite news |title=Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was indicted on a charge of royal defamation |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-thaksin-lese-majeste-srettha-move-forward-a3b4bfee63f4ed547fffe2ff153fd0b4 |access-date=June 18, 2024 |publisher=AP News |date=June 18, 2024}} On 17 August, Thaksin received a royal pardon on the occasion of King Vajiralongkorn's birthday.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Thai king pardons billionaire former PM Thaksin in birthday amnesty |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240817-thai-king-pardons-billionaire-former-pm-thaksin-in-birthday-amnesty |work=France 24}}

On 23 February 2025, Thaksin Shinawatra issued a public apology over the Tak Bai incident.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Ex-PM Thaksin apologises over massacre in southern Thailand|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250223-ex-pm-thaksin-apologises-over-massacre-in-southern-thailand |website=France 24}}

{{ahnentafel

|collapsed=yes |align=center

| boxstyle_1 = background-color: #fcc;

| boxstyle_2 = background-color: #fb9;

| boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc;

| boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc;

| 1 = 1. Thaksin Shinawatra

| 2 = 2. Loet Shinawatra

| 3 = 3. Yindi Ramingwong

| 4 = 4. Chiang Saekhu

| 5 = 5. Saeng Samana

| 6 = 6. Charoen Ramingwong

| 7 = 7. Princess Chanthip na Chiangmai

| 8 = 8. Seng Saekhu

| 9 = 9. Thongdi

| 14 = 14. Somphamit, the Prince Chaisongkhram

| 15 = 15. Usa na Chiangmai

}}

''The list of national honours received by Thaksin Shinawatra has been arranged as per the Thai honours order of precedence.ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, [http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/B/008/T_0001.PDF พระราชโองการ ประกาศ เรื่อง เรียกคืนเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์], เล่ม ๑๓๖ ตอนที่ ๘ ข หน้า ๑, ๓๐ มีนาคม ๒๕๖๒

• {{flag|Thailand}}:
• 1996 – 70px Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1995 – 70px Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 2001 – 70px Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
• 2002 – 70x70px Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 2003 – 70x70px Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class

All royal decorations were recalled by King Rama X per the Royal Gazette published on 29 March 2019

• {{flag|Cambodia}}:
• 70px Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sahametrei (2001)Royal Thai Government Gazette, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131006122243/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00027087.PDF Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office – Royal assent of decorating foreign decorations.] Vol. 118. 30 November 2001
• {{flag|Bahrain}}:
• 70px Member 1st Class of the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (2002)Royal Thai Government Gazette, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150605200314/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2545/B/014/1.PDF Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office – Royal assent of decorating foreign decorations.] Vol. 119. 30 August 2002
• {{flag|Brunei}}:
• 70px First Class of the Most Blessed Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei (2002)Royal Thai Government Gazette, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131006120516/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00090784.PDF Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office – Royal assent of decorating foreign decorations.] Vol. 119. 26 August 2002
• {{flag|Sweden}}:
• 70px Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (2003)Royal Thai Government Gazette, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131006113303/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00122104.PDF Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office – Royal assent of decorating foreign decorations.] Vol. 120. 7 March 2003
• {{flag|Netherlands}}:
• 70px Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (2004)Royal Thai Government Gazette, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131006113300/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00137672.PDF Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office – Royal assent of decorating foreign decorations.] Vol. 121. 25 March 2004
• {{flag|Peru}}:
• 70px Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (2004)

• 2007 – Visiting Professor of Takushoku University in Tokyo, Japan{{Cite web|url=https://wrif.com/2018/10/01/a-college-professor-accidentally-plays-an-adult-film-in-a-lecture-class/deposed-thai-prime-minister-teaches-at-takushoku-university/|title = Deposed Thai Prime Minister Teaches at Takushoku University| work=WRIF Rocks Detroit |date = October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Thaksin says will go home when Thai democracy returns |website=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705130507/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-japan-thaksin/thaksin-says-will-go-home-when-thai-democracy-returns-idUST16288820070607 |archive-date=2023-07-05 |url-status=live |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-japan-thaksin/thaksin-says-will-go-home-when-thai-democracy-returns-idUST16288820070607}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/deposed-thai-prime-minister-thaksin-shinawatra-delivers-a-news-photo/75035120|title=Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra delivers a lecture as|date=5 July 2007 }}

• Asean Business Man of the Year, from ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), in 1992{{cite web |title=Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra '78 |url=http://www.shsu.edu/dept/office-of-alumni-relations/awards/distinguished/people/shinawatra.html |publisher=Sam Houston State University |access-date=15 January 2019 |date=26 October 1996}}
• Telecommunication Development for Social Welfare Award of 1993 from Telecommunication Society of Thailand{{Cite web |url=http://www.soc.go.th/eng/thakin_55.htm/ |title=The secretariat of the Cabinet |access-date=30 March 2019 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330162546/http://www.soc.go.th/eng/thakin_55.htm |url-status=dead }}
• The 1993 Outstanding Telecom Man of the Year Award, honored by the Singapore Business Times as 1 of 12 Leading Asian Businessmen{{Cite web |url=http://english.boaoforum.org/csper2005/10612.jhtml |title=SHINAWATRA, THAKSIN-Speakers-Boao Forum for Asia |access-date=30 March 2019 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330162550/http://english.boaoforum.org/csper2005/10612.jhtml |url-status=dead }}
• Asian CEO of the Year{{Cite web |url=http://www.soc.go.th/eng/thakin_55.htm |title=The secretariat of the Cabinet |access-date=30 March 2019 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330162546/http://www.soc.go.th/eng/thakin_55.htm |url-status=dead }}
• Honorary Doctor of Arts (Communication Arts) (Thammasart University, Thailand)
• First Thai to be granted "Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship" (Singapore)
• 1 of 50 Influential people in The World from Time magazine{{Cite web|url=https://www.naewna.com/politic/404720|title = มีเป็นเข่ง! เพจดังขุดกรุโชว์รางวัล'ทักษิณ' หลังโดนถอดพ้นศิษย์เก่าดีเด่นตท|date = 28 March 2019}}
• 1 of 3 Thai-Filipino Relations Goodwill from Ambassadors Philippines Embassy in Thailand
• Outstanding Criminal Justice Alumnus Awards from Sam Houston State University
• Distinguished Alumni Award from Sam Houston State University
• The honorary award from the Mass Media Photographer Association of Thailand
• International Forgiveness Award 2004{{cite web |title=Thailand: Anti-Drug Campaign Reaches New Low |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2004/10/06/thailand-anti-drug-campaign-reaches-new-low |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=16 January 2019 |date=4 October 2004}}
• Honorary doctorate degree from Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/from-bangkok-to-manchester-20070526-gdq8d0.html|title = From Bangkok to Manchester|date = 25 May 2007}}
• The ABLF Statesman Award 2012{{cite web |title=พ.ต.ท.ทักษิณ ชินวัตร รับรางวัลรัฐบุรุษเอบีแอลเอฟ (The ABLF Statesman Award 2555) |url=https://www.voicetv.co.th/read/57234 |publisher=Voice TV |access-date=15 January 2019 |date=28 November 2012}}

• List of prime ministers of Thailand
• Thailand political crisis 2005-2006
• Thaksinomics
• Seng Saekhu
• Sondhi Limthongkul
• People's Alliance for Democracy
• Constitution of Thailand
• Tak Bai incident People’s Party accuses Thaksin Genocide on Crime against humanity
• Racism in Thailand insult black people tighten immigration and banned Myanmar refugees

{{NoteFoot}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite journal |author=Bidhya Bowornwathana |title=Thaksin's model of government reform: Prime Ministerialisation through "a country is my company" approach |journal=Asian Journal of Political Science |volume=12 |issue=1 |year=2004 |pages=135–153 |doi=10.1080/02185370408434237|s2cid=153481914 }}
• {{Cite book |author=Pavin Chachavalpongpun |title=Reinventing Thailand: Thaksin and His Foreign Policy |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |place=Singapore |year=2010 |isbn=978-616-215-000-5}}
• {{Citation |editor=John Funston |title=Divided over Thaksin: Thailand's Coup and Problematic Transition |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |place=Singapore |year=2009 |isbn=978-981-230-961-7}}
• {{cite book |last1=McCargo |first1=Duncan |last2=Pathmanand |first2=Ukrist |title=The Thaksinization of Thailand |date=2005 |publisher=NIAS Press |location=Copenhagen |isbn=87-91114-45-4|edition=Hardcopy |url=https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:858456/FULLTEXT01.pdf |access-date=31 December 2018}}
• {{Cite journal |author1=Pasuk Phongpaichit |author2=Chris Baker |title=Thaksin's populism |journal=Journal of Contemporary Asia |volume=38 |issue=1 |year=2008 |pages=62–83 |doi=10.1080/00472330701651960|s2cid=143550663 }}

{{Commons and category|Thaksin Shinawatra}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://www.thaksinofficial.com Official site]

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100826095953/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/539714-catch-me-if-you-can Thaksin Shinawatra Interview 2008]—Arabian Business
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111128112113/http://www.rfi.fr/anglais/actu/articles/112/article_3492.asp Thaksin interview with Radio France Internationale/France 24 TV in English]
• [http://asiancorrespondent.com/tag/thaksin-shinawatra/ Thaksin Shinawatra] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009083021/http://asiancorrespondent.com/tag/thaksin-shinawatra/ |date=9 October 2011 }} collected news and commentary at Asian Correspondent
• [http://breakinglegalnews.com/search/Thaksin%20Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra] collected news and commentary at Breaking Legal News
• {{Guardian topic}}
• {{NYTtopic|people/t/thaksin_shinawatra}}
• [http://www.2bangkok.com/high.shtml High tension in Thailand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430010642/http://www.2bangkok.com/high.shtml |date=30 April 2008 }} – a chronology of events in the political crisis of 2005–2006
• {{cite news |url= http://asiancorrespondent.com/38471/book-review-thaksin-and-thailands-contentious-foreign-policy/ |title= Thaksin and Thailand's contentious foreign policy |access-date= 29 November 2011 |last= Berthelsen |first= John |date= 4 August 2010 |work= Asian Correspondent |type=Book review |archive-date= 17 January 2013 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130117122117/http://asiancorrespondent.com/38471/book-review-thaksin-and-thailands-contentious-foreign-policy/ |url-status= dead }}

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{{Thaksin Shinawatra}}

{{Prime Ministers of Thailand}}

{{History of Thailand since 2001}}

{{2005–2010 Thai political crisis}}

{{Yingluck Shinawatra}}

{{Manchester City F.C. chairpersons}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shinawatra, Thaksin}}

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