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Srettha Thavisin30th Prime Minister of Thailand from August 22, 2023
Date of Birth: 15.02.1963
Country:  Thailand |
Content:
- Settha Thavisin: Thailand's 30th Prime Minister
- Business Career
- Political Career
- Political Views
- Personal Life
Settha Thavisin: Thailand's 30th Prime Minister
Early Life and EducationSettha Thavisin, Thailand's 30th Prime Minister, was born on February 15, 1962, in Bangkok into an affluent family. As the only son of Captain Amnuay Thavisin and Chotchoy Chutrakul, he is connected to five prominent Chinese-Thai business families. Thavisin received his primary education at Prasarnmit Demonstration School, affiliated with Srinakharinwirot University. He pursued a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and later earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Thavisin further obtained an MBA from Claremont Graduate University.
Business Career
After completing his studies, Thavisin worked as an assistant product manager for Procter & Gamble for four years before co-founding Sansiri Pcl in 1988. Under his leadership, Sansiri grew into one of Thailand's largest real estate developers, amassing over 400 residential projects. The company continued its growth trajectory even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Thavisin made headlines by purchasing a corner of Sarasin Road near Lumphini Park in Bangkok for a record-breaking 3.9 million baht per square wah (4 m²). He also acquired a 15% stake in XSpring Capital Public Company Limited the same year. To comply with Thai electoral laws, Thavisin transferred all his shares to his daughter, Chanada Thavisin, on March 8, 2023, including his 4.4% stake in Sansiri.
Political Career
Thavisin was a known confidant of Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, the deposed Prime Ministers of Thailand. In the 2023 election, he was one of three candidates for Prime Minister from the Pheu Thai Party, alongside Thaksin's youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and former Attorney General Chaikasem Nitisiri. Thavisin consistently ranked third in opinion polls, behind Pheu Thai candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. After Limjaroenrat's failed bid for premiership, Thavisin emerged as the frontrunner. Paetongtarn Shinawatra endorsed Thavisin's candidacy.
On August 22, 2023, Thavisin was elected Prime Minister of Thailand by the parliament. He received 482 votes from members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with 165 votes against and 81 abstentions. To secure his election, Thavisin's Pheu Thai Party entered into a coalition with conservative, pro-military parties that had been in power since the 2014 coup. On August 23, the Prime Minister-elect received the King's formal endorsement, and on September 2, Thavisin obtained the monarch's approval for his cabinet list, which included himself as the Minister of Finance. The government was sworn in by the King on September 5.
Political Views
Thavisin has been a supporter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. In 2010, he wore a red shirt emblazoned with Thaksin's face after being elected chairman of the Royal Bangkok Polo Club Football Team. He has also criticized Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. Thavisin backed the pro-democracy protests of 2021-2022. During the 2023 election campaign, he pledged not to lead a Pheu Thai government if the pro-military Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties joined the coalition. Thavisin also opposes mandatory military conscription. Despite his pre-election promises, Thavisin has not pushed for changes to the lese-majesty law, preserving the support of conservative parties from the outgoing government that joined the Pheu Thai-led coalition. He is a proponent of environmental sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and digital wallet schemes. Along with the Pheu Thai Party, he has pledged to stimulate the economy and combat poverty.
Personal Life
Thavisin is married to Pakpilay Thavisin, a specialist in anti-aging medicine, and they have three children.
 Srettha Thavisin |