Download or read book Thaksin written by Pasuk Phongpaichit and published by NIAS Press. This book was released on 2004 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thaksin Shinawatra has often been compared to Italy's Silvio Berlusconi. Both are fabulously wealthy media magnates who have entered politics. And both have a possessive passion for football. Berlusconi owns Forza Milan and, as many fans note with mixed feelings, Thaksin recently attempted to acquire a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool FC. But there is more to him than football. He became Thailand's prime minister in early 2001 after a landslide election victory in which he promised to 'think new, act new' to transform the country's economy and politics. Since then, Thaksin has been highly popular but also highly controversial. Two long-standing observers have described him as 'the best prime minister Thailand has ever had' and 'another grubby businessman'. This is the first serious study of Thaksin in English. It examines where he comes from and what he is trying to do. The authors, an economics professor and independent author, have written several other books on economics, politics and current affairs in Thailand.
Download or read book The Thaksinization of Thailand written by Duncan McCargo and published by NIAS Press. This book was released on 2005 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A major reform package was enacted in Thailand in 1997, coinciding with the promulgation of a new constitution. However, the country's financial problems helped create the conditions for the emergence of the Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thai, or TRT) Party under the leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra, a wealthy telecommunications magnate. Since winning a landslide election victory in 2001, Prime Minister Thaksin has exercised an extraordinary degree of personal dominance over the Thai political scene. This book examines the emergence of the TRT; Thaksin's background; his business activities, relationship with the military, use of rhetoric, and wider political economy networks; and the future of Thai politics.
Download or read book Reinventing Thailand written by Pavin Chachavalpongpun and published by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. This book was released on 2010 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From 2001 to 2006, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra transformed Thailand's international role from one of obscurity into a kind of regional hegemon. Thaksin's diplomatic ambitions were reflected in his myriad of grandiose foreign policy initiatives, designed to locate Thailand at the forefront of regional politics and reinstall the Thai sphere of influence over weaker neighbouring states. He abolished the traditional bending-with-the-wind foreign policy, revamped the Thai Foreign Ministry, and empowered Thai envoys through the CEO Ambassadors programme. But in this process, Thaksin was accused of exploiting foreign policy to enrich his business empire. Thaksin's reinvention of Thailand as an up-and-coming regional power was therefore tainted by conflicts of interest and the absence of ethical principles in the country's foreign policy.
Download or read book Good Coup Gone Bad written by Pavin Chachavalpongpun and published by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. This book was released on 2014-06-18 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What did the 2006 military coup show us? It demonstrated that the crux of the Thai crisis is far more serious and much wider in scope than had previously been thought. The monarchy is surely not a victim in the protracted conflict, but the root cause and continuing factor that has eroded Thai politics. The coup set in motion more prejudicial uses of the lèse-majesté law, and in the process, has led to more political prisoners. It has also shredded the military into several segments, turning generals into desperate royalists who continue to live off the monarchy in order to survive. Issues of violence in the Thai south and the Thai-Cambodian dispute became greatly intensified in the age of militarized politics. The coup also produced unique colour-coded politics and created crises of legitimacy. This book is a collection of essays that reflect developments in Thai politics in the post-coup period.
Download or read book Thaksin Shinawatra and the Political Turmoil in Thailand written by Khīan Thīrawit and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Divided Over Thaksin written by N. John Funston and published by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. This book was released on 2009 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These 13 papers were selected from those given by senior analysts from Thailand and the region at the 2006 and 2007 seminars of the National Thai Studies Centre at the Australian National University. The Coup of 2006 and other turbulent events were more or less in progress during the seminars so some of the papers have the flavour of immediacy. Among the subjects addressed are: the Constitutions of 1997 and 2007 and their impacts; the policies, fall and possible future impact of Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister 2001-2006; four papers are on aspects of the ongoing insurgency in Southern Thailand; and the final three papers focus on the economy with discussion of the impact of political uncertainty on business. With much tabulated data and index.
Download or read book Thailand s Political Peasants written by Andrew Walker and published by University of Wisconsin Pres. This book was released on 2012-08-06 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When a populist movement elected Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister of Thailand in 2001, many of the country’s urban elite dismissed the outcome as just another symptom of rural corruption, a traditional patronage system dominated by local strongmen pressuring their neighbors through political bullying and vote-buying. In Thailand’s Political Peasants, however, Andrew Walker argues that the emergence of an entirely new socioeconomic dynamic has dramatically changed the relations of Thai peasants with the state, making them a political force to be reckoned with. Whereas their ancestors focused on subsistence, this generation of middle-income peasants seeks productive relationships with sources of state power, produces cash crops, and derives additional income through non-agricultural work. In the increasingly decentralized, disaggregated country, rural villagers and farmers have themselves become entrepreneurs and agents of the state at the local level, while the state has changed from an extractor of taxes to a supplier of subsidies and a patron of development projects. Thailand’s Political Peasants provides an original, provocative analysis that encourages an ethnographic rethinking of rural politics in rapidly developing countries. Drawing on six years of fieldwork in Ban Tiam, a rural village in northern Thailand, Walker shows how analyses of peasant politics that focus primarily on rebellion, resistance, and evasion are becoming less useful for understanding emergent forms of political society.
Download or read book Thaksin written by Pasuk Phongpaichit and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Summary: In the early 1990s, Thaksin Shinawatra came from nowhere to become a multi-billionaire in just four years. In 2001, he was elected prime minister on a single-minded promise to accelerate Thailand to first-world status. This title traces the rise and fall from power of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Download or read book Thaksin written by Pasuk Phongpaichit and published by Silkworm Books. This book was released on 2009-08-01 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: He made a fortune of two bilion US dollars in four years. He won four elections by landslides. He was overthrown by a coup and driven into exile. His opponents and supporters dressed themselves in red and yellow and fought battles on the streets. To some, he is a visionary, even a revolutionary. To others, he is greedy, deceitful, deluded, dangerous. This book was first published in 2004. Four new chapters provide a detailed account of the turmoil of Thai politics over the subsequent five years.
Download or read book Thailand Unhinged written by Federico Ferrara and published by Equinox Publishing. This book was released on 2010 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Thailand Unhinged: Unraveling the Myth of a Thai-Style Democracy" offers a trenchant analysis of Thai politics and society over the tumultuous years that followed the ouster of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand's ongoing political crisis is explained through the prism of the country's painful post-absolutist history - a history marred by the systematic sabotage of any meaningful democratic development, the routine hijacking of democratic institutions, and the continued suffocation of the Thai people's democratic aspirations orchestrated by an unelected ruling class in an increasingly desperate attempt to hold on to its power. The book includes scathing critiques of both Thaksin's administration as well as the military-backed government that came to power in late 2008, following the week-long siege of the country's busiest airports staged by the "yellow shirts" of the People's Alliance for Democracy. The essays are written in a provocative, confrontational style - making "Thailand Unhinged" a decidedly unconventional mix of academic scholarship, literary journalism, and radical pamphleteering. About the Author FEDERICO FERRARA (PhD, Harvard University) works as Assistant Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore. He will be joining the City University of Hong Kong's Department of Asian and International Studies in 2010.
Download or read book Thai Politicians of Chinese Descent written by Source Wikipedia and published by University-Press.org. This book was released on 2013-09 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 34. Chapters: Thaksin Shinawatra, Samak Sundaravej, Anand Panyarachun, Chamlong Srimuang, Pridi Banomyong, Plaek Pibulsonggram, Chuan Leekpai, Suchinda Kraprayoon. Excerpt: Thaksin Shinawatra (Thai pronunciation: born 26 July 1949) is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup. Thaksin founded Advanced Info Service, Thailand's most successful mobile phone operator, and became a billionaire. Thaksin entered politics in 1994 under Phalang Dharma Party, left the party 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. Thaksin introduced a range of policies to alleviate rural poverty; highly popular, they helped reduce poverty by half in four years. He launched the country's first universal healthcare program, the 30-baht scheme, as well as a highly popular drug suppression campaign. Thaksin embarked on a massive program of infrastructure investment, including roads, public transit, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless, public sector debt fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006. Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen, with Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 and 2005. The Thai Rak Thai party won an unprecedented landslide in the 2005 general election, which had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. The Shinawatra government faced allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, treason, conflicts of interest, acting non-diplomatically, and muzzling of the press. Thaksin was accused of tax evasion, lese majeste (insulting King Bhumibol, and selling assets of Thai companies to international...
Download or read book A History of Thailand written by Christopher John Baker and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014-05-30 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A History of Thailand offers a lively and accessible account of Thailand's political, economic, social and cultural history. This book explores how a world of mandarin nobles and unfree peasants was transformed and examines how the monarchy managed the foundation of a new nation-state at the turn of the twentieth century. The authors capture the clashes between various groups in their attempts to take control of the nation-state in the twentieth century. They track Thailand's economic changes through an economic boom, globalisation and the evolution of mass society. This edition sheds light on Thailand's recent political, social and economic developments, covering the coup of 2006, the violent street politics of May 2010, and the landmark election of 2011 and its aftermath. It shows how in Thailand today, the monarchy, the military, business and new mass movements are players in a complex conflict over the nature and future of the country's democracy.
Download or read book Virtual Thailand written by Glen Lewis and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2007-05-07 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written by an established expert on Thailand, this is one of the first books to fully investigate the Thai media’s role during the Thaksin government’s first term. Incorporating political economy and media theory, the book provides a unique insight into globalization in Southeast Asia, analyzing the role of communications and media in regional cultural politics. Examining the period from the mid 1990s, Lewis makes a sustained comparison between Thailand and its neighbouring countries in relation to the media, business, politics and popular culture. Covering issues including business development, tourism, the Thai movie industry and the war on terror, the book argues that globalization as it relates to media, can be patterned on Thai experiences.
Download or read book Thaksin Shinawatra written by Mark A Bishop and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2023-09 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the annals of global political history, few leaders have made as striking a transition as Thaksin Shinawatra - the man who went from being a billionaire businessman to the Prime Minister of Thailand. "Thaksin Shinawatra: The Businessman Prime Minister" offers a compelling exploration of this remarkable journey, revealing the complex intersection of wealth, power, and politics. As the founder of the Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group (Shin Corp), Thaksin built an empire in the telecommunications industry, amassing vast wealth and influence. But his ambitions went beyond the boardroom. This book delves into the shrewd tactics and visionary thinking that propelled him from the world of corporate board meetings to the corridors of political power. Thaksin's tenure as Prime Minister of Thailand was marked by an audacious approach to governance. He brought his business acumen into politics, implementing innovative economic policies that aimed to transform Thailand's economic landscape. His populist initiatives, such as universal healthcare and rural development programs, endeared him to many, while also sparking controversy and polarizing the nation. In "Thaksin Shinawatra: The Businessman Prime Minister," we explore how Thaksin's background as a telecom tycoon influenced his leadership style and shaped his vision for Thailand. The book delves into the challenges he faced, the controversies he stirred, and the lasting impact of his policies on the Thai political landscape. Through in-depth research, interviews, and analysis, this book provides a comprehensive portrait of Thaksin Shinawatra's life and political career. It offers a nuanced understanding of the man who blurred the lines between business and politics, forever leaving his mark on Thailand's history. "Thaksin Shinawatra: The Businessman Prime Minister" is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of wealth, power, and governance, and the enduring influence of a charismatic and controversial leader.
Download or read book Thailand s Thaksin written by Pasuk Phongpaichit and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Thailand Under Thaksin written by Pasuk Phongpaichit and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Thailand Unhinged written by Federico Ferrara and published by Equinox Publishing. This book was released on 2011 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thailand Unhinged: The Death of Thai-Style Democracy delivers an excoriating critique of Thai politics and society over the tumultuous years that followed the ouster of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand's ongoing political crisis is explained through the prism of the country's painful post-absolutist history - a history marred by the systematic sabotage of any meaningful democratic development, the routine hijacking of democratic institutions, and the continued suffocation of the Thai people's democratic aspirations orchestrated by an unelected ruling class in an increasingly desperate attempt to hold on to its power. This new edition, uncensored, expanded, and revised, argues that the tragic events of 2010 mark the end of "Thai-Style Democracy" - a five-decades-old system of government that, notwithstanding the appropriation of some of the trappings of democracy, has largely preserved the right of "good" men of high birth, status, and wealth to run the country. The essays are written in a pointed, combative style, making Thailand Unhinged a highly unconventional mix of academic scholarship, literary journalism, and radical pamphleteering. IN PRAISE OF THE FIRST EDITION Written by an extremely talented Harvard PhD journalist/professor, this well-crafted collection of essays illuminate s] magnificently the tragedy of Thailand today. Trenchant and continually blistering. -Tom Plate, author of the bestselling Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew FEDERICO FERRARA (PhD, Harvard University) works as Assistant Professor at the City University of Hong Kong, Department of Asian and International Studies.
