1. Srettha Thavisin attempted to implement the digital wallet scheme and his international visits were aimed at attracting investors.
67 Facts About Srettha Thavisin
1. 2.
Srettha Thavisin, born on 15 February 1962, in Bangkok, Thailand, is the only child of Captain Amnuay Thavisin and Chodchoy Thavisin.
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When Srettha Thavisin was three years old in 1966, his father died and Chodchoy raised him as a single mother.
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Srettha Thavisin attended primary school at Prasarnmit Demonstration School of Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, then moved to the United States for secondary school.
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Srettha Thavisin graduated Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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Srettha Thavisin's leadership steered the company to successfully develop over 400 residential projects.
7.
Srettha Thavisin, having inspected a nearby residential project, visited the expo and recommended that his Sansiri colleagues do the same, recognising its potential influence on the real estate sector.
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On 17 February 2012, Srettha Thavisin admitted to having met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong at the Four Seasons Hotel where they discussed Thailand's financial situation on 8 February alongside others.
9.
Srettha Thavisin maintained political connections with Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, who have both served as prime ministers.
10.
In November, 2022, Srettha Thavisin announced his intention to join the Pheu Thai Party.
11.
Srettha Thavisin launched his campaign in Bangkok's Khlong Toei district and delivered his inaugural campaign speech in Phichit province.
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Srettha Thavisin described this expansion, which contradicted earlier election promises, as a necessary strategic move.
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Srettha Thavisin was elected as the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand, following a nomination by the Pheu Thai Party.
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Srettha Thavisin was elected as Thailand's next prime minister by a joint sitting of parliament on 22 August 2023.
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The new cabinet formed by Srettha Thavisin was composed of 34 ministers representing six parties within the governing coalition.
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Srettha Thavisin stepped down as finance minister in April 2024 during a cabinet reshuffle.
17.
Srettha Thavisin was succeeded by his advisor and former energy executive, Pichai Chunhavajira.
18.
Srettha Thavisin disagreed with the characterisation of the economic state as a crisis.
19.
Srettha Thavisin advocated for a 25-basis point interest rate cut from the BoT's Monetary Policy Committee.
20.
Srettha Thavisin acknowledged that the government's communication with international investors about the project's economic potential could have been more effective.
21.
Srettha Thavisin noted that the government had not succeeded in gaining the trust of the Thai people regarding this ambitious project, highlighting a disconnect between the project's intentions and public perception.
22.
Srettha Thavisin acknowledged that the government's communication with international investors about the project's economic potential could have been more effective.
23.
Together with the Chinese ambassador, Han Zhiqiang, Srettha Thavisin welcomed the first flight from Shanghai to Suvarnabhumi Airport since the implementation of this exemption.
24.
Srettha Thavisin prioritised strengthening the Thai passport, ranked 52nd most powerful by The Passport Index in 2024.
25.
Srettha Thavisin, following his election, maintained support for this policy, while acknowledging its controversial nature.
26.
In January 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat indicated that the implementation of the scheme might be postponed beyond May Despite ongoing scepticism about the program, Srettha Thavisin maintained that the government had sufficient data to demonstrate the program's effectiveness and value.
27.
Srettha Thavisin had expressed his intention to expedite discussions with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.
28.
On 15 July 2024 Srettha Thavisin announced that eligible businesses and individuals can register for the program beginning in August.
29.
On 21 September 2023, Srettha Thavisin engaged in discussions with Elon Musk about potential Tesla investments in the Thai electric vehicle industry.
30.
Srettha Thavisin continued his pledge even after forming a coalition with BJT, saying that he aims to introduce cannabis laws within six-months.
31.
On 8 May 2024, Srettha Thavisin announced he wished to see cannabis relisted as a narcotic by the end of 2024, restricting it to medical use only.
32.
Srettha Thavisin once answered a question from the press regarding the military reformation policy of the Pheu Thai party, saying that he did not want to call it "reform" but a "joint development" between the civilian leadership and the military.
33.
The government before Srettha Thavisin faced challenges in addressing PM 2.5 air pollution and in supporting resource-based communities.
34.
The environmental policies of Srettha Thavisin's government were categorised under mid to long-term plans in their policy presentation to Parliament.
35.
On 6 October 2023, Srettha Thavisin attended the ESG Symposium 2023: Accelerating Changes towards a Low Carbon Society at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
36.
Srettha Thavisin participated in the Sustainability Forum 2024 in Bangkok, where he discussed Thailand's role in sustainable development globally.
37.
Srettha Thavisin expressed a commitment to reducing electricity costs and highlighted the importance of household solar initiatives.
38.
Srettha Thavisin noted an improvement in the air quality in Chiang Mai compared to the previous year.
39.
Srettha Thavisin would convene a meeting of government officials to comply with the court order.
40.
Srettha Thavisin aimed to nurture knowledgeable and morally responsible young individuals who understand the importance of collaboration in building a better society and nation.
41.
Srettha Thavisin's administration was dedicated to creating Thailand's first comprehensive database on school dropouts.
42.
Srettha Thavisin has expressed a commitment to eliminating barriers to education for Thai children, setting a goal to reduce the number of children without educational opportunities to zero.
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Additionally, Srettha Thavisin engaged with representatives from major corporations such as Estee Lauder, Google, and Microsoft.
44.
Srettha Thavisin's speech emphasised Thailand's desire to collaborate with other nations and to strengthen its democracy.
45.
Srettha Thavisin concluded his visit by participating in the traditional bell-ringing ceremony to commence the trading session.
46.
Furthermore, Srettha Thavisin actively led Thailand's effort to become the Association of Southeast Asian Nations candidate for the 2025 to 2027 term on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
47.
Srettha Thavisin then flew to Kuala Lumpur to hold bilateral talks with Malaysia, where he discussed bilaterial relations on investment, trade, food, tourism and security with Malaysia's Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as securing Thai hostages taken by Hamas.
48.
Alongside this, Srettha Thavisin indicated an interest in increasing the purchase of clean energy from Laos.
49.
Srettha Thavisin expressed support for initiatives like the Asia Zero Emission Community and the Strategic Programme for ASEAN Climate and Environment.
50.
Srettha Thavisin conveyed Thailand's readiness to play a leading role in ensuring peace in Myanmar, considering its geographical proximity.
51.
Srettha Thavisin was joined by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.
52.
Srettha Thavisin reported that the CEO of DP World expressed a keen interest in the land bridge project and committed to sending representatives to Thailand for further discussions and location scouting.
53.
On 25 January 2024, Srettha Thavisin welcomed Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, marking a significant occasion in his administration.
54.
Srettha Thavisin acknowledged that while substantial changes could not be expected so soon into the administration, the initial developments were promising.
55.
Srettha Thavisin participated in the Independence Day celebrations at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 4 February 2024.
56.
Srettha Thavisin actively engaged in the bilateral talks, emphasising Thailand's commitment to ensuring fair treatment and an adequate economic safety net for Cambodian workers in the country.
57.
Manet expressed gratitude to Srettha Thavisin for preventing Thailand from being used as a base for external interference in his country's affairs.
58.
Srettha Thavisin then ordered the Royal Thai Air Force to begin evacuations of Thai citizens in cooperation the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
59.
Srettha Thavisin is the fourth Thai premier in 16 years to be removed by the courts.
60.
Srettha Thavisin expressed surprise over the decision, but said that he would "respect" it.
61.
Srettha Thavisin has been known for his support of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from office in 2006.
62.
In terms of social issues, Srettha Thavisin is identified as a liberal.
63.
Srettha Thavisin has expressed opposition to conscription and has been an advocate for environmental sustainability and LGBTQ rights.
64.
Srettha Thavisin is 1.92 metres tall, which made him the tallest leader within ASEAN and the third tallest in the world behind Edi Rama of Albania and Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia when he was in office.
65.
Srettha Thavisin is a collector of classic travel trunks, such as those made by Louis Vuitton.
66.
Srettha Thavisin is a supporter of Liverpool FC, and contributes to Sansiri Academy which trains football players in Thailand.
67.
Srettha Thavisin frequently uses social media, especially on X where he actively uses his account to post updates.