Thaksin Shinawatra was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006. Before becoming the Prime Minister, Shinawatra was a successful businessman, establishing the Shin Corporation and Advanced Info Service, which is the largest wireless provider in Thailand. In October 2008, Shinawatra was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to two years in prison.CNN: Ousted Thai PM Thaksin guilty of corruption (October 21, 2008)
Positions
- 1929: Born in Chiang Mai
- 1949: Begins a career as a police officer in his city of birth
- 1973: Studies criminal justice in the United States
- 1983: Establishes the Shin Corporation (NASDAQ: SHNZY)
- 1990: Establishes the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand, Advanced Info Service
- 1994: Joins the Phalang Dharma Party
- 2001: Becomes Prime Minister of Thailand
- 2006: Ousted in a military coup, and forced into exile
- 2008: Returns to Bangkok from exile in London
- 2008: Convicted of corruption; sentenced to jailCNN: Ousted Thai PM Thaksin guilty of corruption (October 21, 2008)