Hi Guy. Hope you're having a good one. As an Ancap it's necessary for myself to 'know you're enemy' so to speak. I lived in Thailand during the Thaksin period. It is relevant now for SE Asia as his daughter has just become the new PM there. Here is some info:

Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister of Thailand, made his fortune through the telecommunications industry. He started his career as a teacher and then entered the business world, eventually founding Shin Corporation, which became one of Thailand's largest telecom companies . Through his successful business ventures, Thaksin amassed significant wealth.

In politics, Thaksin rose to power in 2001 when he was elected prime minister with a majority in parliament. He implemented policies aimed at benefiting the rural poor and gained popularity through his populist approach . However, his rule was marked by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, which eventually led to his ouster in a military coup in 2006 .

After the coup, Thaksin went into self-imposed exile abroad. He remained involved in Thai politics from overseas, supporting various parties and movements, including his sister Yingluck Shinawatra's successful campaign for prime minister in 2011 . However, corruption charges against him continued to mount, and he was eventually convicted in absentia in 2008.

In 2024, after nearly a decade of exile, Thaksin returned to Thailand. He was detained at a hospital for six months while awaiting trial on corruption-related offenses but was ultimately released on parole . Although his return marked the end of his exile, it remains uncertain whether he will be able to re-enter politics or continue to influence Thai affairs from behind the scenes.

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