A risk-taker billionaire pursuing social justice

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

NEW-BLOOD politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit may have led his family auto-parts business to international success but he remains a socialist in his economic philosophy and a political liberal, with a passion for social justice.

 

The 40-year-old has been in the spotlight for less than two months since he announced the formation of the new Future Forward Party. But his interest in public issues and politics goes back many years to when he was a student of engineering at Thammasat University in the 1990s.

 

Having grown up in a billionaire family, Thanathorn has admitted to once being a party animal who enjoyed the high life. But his passion for social justice was kindled when he joined volunteer camps with like-minded fellow-Thammasat students. The next thing he knew, Thanathorn had become the president of the Thammasat University Students Union and later deputy secretary-general of the Students Federation of Thailand. Both organisations are well-known for intermingling with student movements that go beyond student affairs to national politics.

 

Thanathorn thus became an “activist” who worked towards the greater good. He took part in many demonstrations, including the Assembly of the Poor, calling on the government to respond to the people’s demands. After graduating, he continued to work with some non-governmental organisations. But he found himself having to take over the auto-parts business from his late father, shifting his philosophy from volunteering and demanding justice to maximising profits for the company. 

 

However, as it turns out, his stint with social activism was not just a phase of the past. Even when he led Thai Summit Group to make billions of baht in sales, Thanathorn told Sarakadee magazine in an interview that he would continue to hang out with activist friends. This served as a reminder to him to not get deluded by wealth and power.

 

Coming from a rich family, he was often hurled insults that his activism was not genuine. But Thanathorn said no matter what, “I would still see social injustice whenever I saw a boy the same age as my little brother selling garlands in the street”. That level of disparity is unacceptable, he said.

 

Some fellow-activists who had seen Thanathorn working in social movements when he was younger, described him as a serious person but at the same time he was also a sincere and a loyal friend.

 

Thanathorn, a father of three, is also an adventurer, having conquered exotic destinations from Mount Rainier in the United States to Antarctica. 

 

These are no elite destinations that can be bought with money. They require a lot of determination and great perseverance.

 

For his True South programme, for which he recruited nine other adventurers to travel with him to the Antarctic last year, Thanathorn generously rewarded the nine with Bt1 million each to use for any social activity of their choice. As a businessman and a traveller, Thanathorn also described himself as a risk-taker and his actions have proved so.

 

Asked by The Nation why he had done so many things that the rich generally wouldn’t, Thanathorn said, “Everything else is just not fun.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30342763

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-09

 

I hope he has really really big balls if he wants to change anything meaningful in Thailand, otherwise just more of the same 

 

How about publishing his education and credentials that would enable him to actually run a country

 

 

I suspect if he doesn't fit the profile he will be on the run soon enough just like all the rest of the crooks that have come and gone................and gone with billions

Hoping he is as he speaks. 

18 minutes ago, robertthesculptor said:

Hoping he is as he speaks. 

I am just hoping he is not like Thaksin (billionaire too but greedy) ,  only there to make money at any cost. This guy SEEMS genuine and I like him. Now he just has to prove it. 

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by robblok

Refreshing to see. 

I hope he does well

I suspect he has is own watch collection before office a novel approach, but time will tell.  

I hope he has really really big balls if he wants to change anything meaningful in Thailand, otherwise just more of the same 
 
How about publishing his education and credentials that would enable him to actually run a country
 
 
I suspect if he doesn't fit the profile he will be on the run soon enough just like all the rest of the crooks that have come and gone................and gone with billions

I'd guess growing up in the environment of a family owned major company and then taking it over is a good credential and better than any university degree. It says he ran it at a profit but who knows? You could mirror it to Trump (successful businessman? ) or Sinawatra or Putin.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Thanathorn may be just the ticket that the masses could get behind. The time is right, masses are usually young and eager for change. They also have digital savvy which is key to successfully organizing. 

Go Thanathorn go !

(I can’t vote but you have my vote). 

2 minutes ago, neeray said:

Thanathorn may be just the ticket that the masses could get behind. The time is right, masses are usually young and eager for change. They also have digital savvy which is key to successfully organizing. 

Go Thanathorn go !

(I can’t vote but you have my vote). 

It would be wonderful if MILLIONS and MILLIONS of Thais threw their weight behind this guy and what he (claims to) stand for. It would send one hell of a scary signal to the junta!

Thailand is blessed to have people like  him. He really is that good.

Please before criticizing or attacking him, take the time to learn about him, to go and hear him speak. He is inspiring and genuine. I admire and respect him. This gentleman has the potential to lead Thailand into the next century and capitalize on its potential. This is the man to bring hope where there is none, to bring peace in the South and to show the Thai people that there is a better way.

Please give him a chance. This man represents so much of Thailand's potential. he is the person capable of moving Thailand past the military coups and the Thaksin era.

 

He has some very strong attributes;

- Intelligent and well educated*

- Strong work  history and real life experience

- Handsome and photogenic

- Sincere and warm. He has a strong human touch and when he smiles you feel he is smiling at you.

- He is soft spoken and polite. 

- Unlike some other politicians he is not crude nor rude. No need for hair dye either.

 

Where he may upset some TVFers is that he speaks accented English. He reminds me of a Japanese or Korean politician that regard. 

What I like most about him, is that he shares similar views with me on sextourism. Again this will upset sexpats, but for the majority of foreigners in Thailand, his views will make the country safer and better for all.

 

I am well aware that some people will think he has done nothing and had it all handed to him. On the contrary, he has suffered tragedy. His father died when he was in his mid 20's.  His mother took over and raised all of the kids. She hasn't just handed over the shares. Mom controls  the assets.  If anything, he understands working women and  has a respect for them.  Yes, he had some fun in university. He was in  engineering. Anyone who went to school with engineers will understand what he was like. He got it out of the way at the right time.

 

He didn't get handed anything and only became a director at the family firm  when he was 36. He has  worked his way up through a diverse range of activity.

Education

-M.A. Science in Global Finance.NYU Stern Business School, New York, USA/Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HK.

 -M.A. Political Economy, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University

(Thesis on “Capital Accumulation of Thai Business Elite”)

-BEng Mechanical Engineering , Nottingham University, U.K./Thammasat University,

- Thailand Training on Director Roles and Responsibilities (IOD)

- Director Accreditation Program

-Finance for Non-Finance Director Present Position

 

Work Experience

2013 - Present Director, Matichon Public Company Limited

2003 - Present Executive Vice President of Thai Summit Group

2013 - Present Director of The Federation of Thai Industries Work Experiences

2010 - 2012 Deputy secretary general, Electrical Electronics & Allied Industry Club 

2010 - 2012 Adviser to President, The Federation of Thai Industries

2009 - 2010 Adviser, Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association

2008 - 2010 Director, The Federation of Thai Industries(FTI)

2007 - 2011 President of The Federation of Thai Industries Nakhonnayok Chapter 

2007 - 2009 Secretary General, Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association 

2007 - 2008 Adviser, Thai Tool & Die Industry Association

2007 - 2008 President of 2nd Generation of Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Assoc.

2003 - 2006 Director, Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association (TAPMA)

2002 - 2003 Vice President of Thai Summit Group

 

Give him a listen. He is a good and honourable man.

He has an impressive CV which includes wealth with a social concience, but not a socialist. His immediate problem is to assemble a team who are on the same wavelength, but are credible and some must have political experience. Good luck to him and I will follow his progress with interest.

Good on him but I wish this party would get a tenth of the publicity he's already got http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/03/19/commoner-party-seeks-to-put-the-poor-in-parliament/

40 minutes ago, neeray said:

Thanathorn may be just the ticket that the masses could get behind. The time is right, masses are usually young and eager for change. They also have digital savvy which is key to successfully organizing. 

Go Thanathorn go !

(I can’t vote but you have my vote). 

That would be in the Dem Party backyard. Looks like the Dem will get a rude awakening from Thanathorn and also the Suthep party. That would weaken the military coalition and Prayut’s back room premiership ambition. Hope Thanathorn gets a good showing on the election and be a positive opposition in Parliament. Might see him forming a majority in the lower house to make a move to re-write the constitution to enact future coups treasonable and bring coup leaders to trial. Maybe they could retroactive the laws to convict the current coup leaders. That will be sweet karma. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Having grown up in a billionaire family, Thanathorn has admitted to once being a party animal who enjoyed the high life.

That's all there is to be said about this man  . He will end up like Taksin II and become PM . The people will love him until all the scandals appears.  

 

A couple of off-topic posts about foreign politics have been removed from this thread.

4 hours ago, robblok said:

I am just hoping he is not like Thaksin (billionaire too but greedy) ,  only there to make money at any cost. This guy SEEMS genuine and I like him. Now he just has to prove it. 

 

We shall see Rob.

 

But maybe another hiso "champagne socialist" as we've seen all over many times before. Some are "more equal" and entitled type.

 

Thaksin was most certainly not a socialist or a liberal.

 

Hope not, but let's see.

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Baerboxer

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

 . . . and it will be difficult for such as him to identify with ordinary (still less poor) people. Remember that people who talk the talk (which Thanathorn does extremely well) do not always walk the walk

I think his experience with student volunteer camps will help here, Eligius. It's all too easy to find possible failings in a person and I feel that leaning in this post. We need to be less cautious in our approach to a young, intelligent and energetic young man who, I believe is exactly what Thailand is looking for and certainly what Thailand needs.

 

Come on . . . no more reminiscences of Blair and Obama. Thanathorn is his own man and, billions or trillions, let's try to see him for what he is . . . not for what he might be. Let's face it; all we TVF posters might be right bastards . . . but we aren't, of course!

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Ossy
clarity

11 hours ago, smedly said:

I hope he has really really big balls if he wants to change anything meaningful in Thailand, otherwise just more of the same 

 

How about publishing his education and credentials that would enable him to actually run a country

 

 

I suspect if he doesn't fit the profile he will be on the run soon enough just like all the rest of the crooks that have come and gone................and gone with billions

'How about publishing his ... credentials that would enable him to actually run a country'

 

Unlike the current bunch, you mean? 

Sounds kinda like your landlord fighting for you to get a pay raise only to subsequently raise your rent.

 

Something about billionaires-cum-politician makes me a bit cynical.

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Airalee

2 hours ago, Ossy said:

I think his experience with student volunteer camps will help here, Eligius. It's all too easy to find possible failings in a person and I feel that leaning in this post. We need to be less cautious in our approach to a young, intelligent and energetic young man who, I believe is exactly what Thailand is looking for and certainly what Thailand needs.

 

Come on . . . no more reminiscences of Blair and Obama. Thanathorn is his own man and, billions or trillions, let's try to see him for what he is . . . not for what he might be. Let's face it; all we TVF posters might be right bastards . . . but we aren't, of course!

Yes, in view of the dire 'leadership' that Thailand currently 'enjoys', I would certainly give Thanathorn a chance to prove himself. He just might be what he presents himself as. You are right, Ossy: I should not be TOO cynical (although a lifetime of observing politics tends to make one incline that way!).

 

So on balance: I hope that tens of MILLIONS of Thais will get behind Thanathorn and cry out (with him): 'No more military interference. And a new, GENUINE Constitution!'

...quite a leap to claim ...'pursuing social justice'.....

 

...what a joke....

 

...and apparently media-backed....and whoever is behind the media...

 

...a 'carefully planned campaign'....

 

 

7 hours ago, balo said:

That's all there is to be said about this man  . He will end up like Taksin II and become PM . The people will love him until all the scandals appears.  

 

No doubt we will have to endure all the usual bs about man of the people, pulling himself up by his own bootstraps, and humble origins.

In Thailand I imagine you have to be rich to even consider running for any kind

of election.  Good Luck to this fellow, as he likely is at least as honest as anyone

else running, and likely even more honest than some others, whose names I will

not mention..

Geezer

Some more posts and replies about foreign politics have been removed. 

He's not really a billionaire. That's what the media likes to say. His Mom controls the  family assets and she holds everything omn the children's behalf. The man is wealthy, but that comes from his own work. No doubt that his  connections helped him get the  good jobs, but I too received similar treatment, and I know he had to work. In family businesses, the kids are often treated harshly by the parents. You have to have family business experience to appreciate how hard it is on the kids.

Another champagne socialist with family ties to the "past".