In-Depth: Who is Srettha Thavisin, Thai Prime Minister Candidate

[webfact]

 

Bangkok, Thailand-With events earlier this week firmly removing charismatic and popular Prime Minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from the Move Forward Party from the running as the next Thai PM, we wanted to profile the most likely candidate to be put forward for a vote between the joint Thai Parliament.

 

That individual is almost certain to be Srettha Thavisin, a successful and well-regarded Thai businessman from the Pheu Thai party. He is also, however, a relative newcomer to politics. Move Forward Party confirmed earlier this week that Pheu Thai would be taking the lead in forming a new Thai government after the bid from Pita failed.

 

We know many of our readers have heard of the other possible PM candidates like Pita, Anutin, and Prawit for some time but Srettha is unfamiliar to many of our readers at TPN Media so here is a profile on him and a bit about his views.

 

Srettha Thavisin is a Thai politician and real estate developer who is one of the prime ministerial candidates of the Pheu Thai Party in the 2023 Thai general election. He was born on the 15th of February, 1963 in Bangkok, Thailand, and has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Chulalongkorn University and a Masters of Business Administration from Claremont Graduate University, United States.

 

Srettha co-founded Sansiri in 1988, which became one of the largest real estate developers in Thailand, and served as its chief executive and president until he resigned in April of 2023 to pursue his political career. He is a known confidant of both Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, former and now exiled prime ministers of Thailand, and is seen as a pro-democracy and pro-reform candidate. He is married to Pakpilai Thavisin, a specialist in anti-aging medicine, with whom he has three children. He is also a collector of classic travel trunks, such as those made by Louis Vuitton.

 

By Adam Judd

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/07/22/in-depth-who-is-srettha-thavisin-thai-prime-minister-candidate/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-07-24

 

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[ukrules]

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

It could be far worse.. 

[Colabamumbai]

Not eligible vested interests in real estate. 

[Colabamumbai]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

The three stooges. 

[Tarteso]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He is married to Pakpilai Thavisin, a specialist in anti-aging medicine,

This is a good thing for expats, ????

[kcpattaya]

Anyone approved by the Junta, has to be dodgy. Make no mistake.

[teutonian]

I don’t hold this man in high regard at all.  As a Sansiri Customer he did everything possible to prevent me from complaining and resolving defects at a condo development.  Thankfully the Thai courts agreed and dismissed his criminal complaint for defamation and computer crime against me.  
 

 

[metisdead]

A post in which the quoted content had been altered has been removed:

 

28. You will not make changes to messages quoted from other members posts, except for purposes of shortening the quoted post. Do not shorten any post in a way that alters the context of the original post. Do not change the formatting of the post you are quoting.

[blazes]

 

Hope springs eternal.

 

Revolutions of the past (France, Russia) began at a low profile level. 

Then proceeded to revolution "proper".

Kerensky of the Mensheviks in Russia (Feb-Oct 1917), followed by Lenin and the Bolsheviks (November 1917 to 1989).

This guy is the Thai Kerensky:  solid member of the bourgeoisie, been to America and spika de English, and is a social democrat who will not upset the apple cart and (therefore) the real people who rule Thailand. 

He will be approved by the State Department.  (Say no more.)

Of course, his foes are not the Bolsheviks, but rather those who will watch carefully to ensure that their economic interests are not threatened.  They will let him rule until he attempts to do something "democratic".

Rinse and repeat.

[thailand49]

The rich get richer.  My mentor and sister coming home.

[bradiston]

 

This article needs balance. Here are links to Wikipedia articles. The further back you go in Thai politics, the murkier it gets. Sreetha seems to be a late arrival, though he's always had strong links to the Shinawatra family. Under ordinary circumstances, he seems a viable candidate, but the circumstances are by no means ordinary. There is far more at stake than the prime ministership, which is now almost irrelevant, and not worth sacrificing anything for. Let the ratpack have it. It won't do them much good. With BJT refusing to join a minority government, it's safe for PT to join the MFP in opposition with a huge majority.

 

If he is prepared to jettison the MFP then hopefully he and his party will be deservedly jettisoned by their electorate, for an act of indescribable treachery. A far more important aspect is the preservation of the coalition with the MFP and the other 6 parties. Trading petty gains for a position of great strength would be reckless, utterly irresponsible, and a great betrayal of the electorate that put you where you are.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansiri

"Sansiri has recently come under public criticism again for its poor quality of construction, while claiming to be the "Number one and most trusted developer”. Customer complaints are met with lawsuits for defamation under the criminal statutes of Thailand, however, assuring little or no customer complaints reach the public eye.

 

Analysts and Media Reports have recently noted Sansiri’s slide from top to bottom of the 10 ranking property development firms in Thailand.[2]"

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srettha_Thavisin

 

"In mid-April in Loei province, he gave a speach [sic] where he said that Pheu Thai would not form a coalition with Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation due to their involvement in the 2014 coup.[6]"

[herfiehandbag]

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

I am sceptical about Pheu Thai emerging as the party of government, however perhaps this fellows saving graces are that he is:

1) a successful businessman,

2) pro democracy,

3) not a long term career politician,

4) not military.

 

The collection of Louis Vuitton travel trunks may come in handy, something to sit on if they resume those mobile cabinet meetings!

Edited July 24, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[rabas]

18 minutes ago, bradiston said:

 

This article needs balance. Here are links to Wikipedia articles. The further back you go in Thai politics, the murkier it gets. Sreetha seems to be a late arrival, though he's always had strong links to the Shinawatra family. Under ordinary circumstances, he seems a viable candidate, but the circumstances are by no means ordinary. There is far more at stake than the prime ministership, which is now almost irrelevant, and not worth sacrificing anything for. Let the ratpack have it. It won't do them much good. With BJT refusing to join a minority government, it's safe for PT to join the MFP in opposition with a huge majority.

 

If he is prepared to jettison the MFP then hopefully he and his party will be deservedly jettisoned by their electorate, for an act of indescribable treachery. A far more important aspect is the preservation of the coalition with the MFP and the other 6 parties. Trading petty gains for a position of great strength would be reckless, utterly irresponsible, and a great betrayal of the electorate that put you where you are.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansiri

"Sansiri has recently come under public criticism again for its poor quality of construction, while claiming to be the "Number one and most trusted developer”. Customer complaints are met with lawsuits for defamation under the criminal statutes of Thailand, however, assuring little or no customer complaints reach the public eye.

 

Analysts and Media Reports have recently noted Sansiri’s slide from top to bottom of the 10 ranking property development firms in Thailand.[2]"

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srettha_Thavisin

 

"In mid-April in Loei province, he gave a speach [sic] where he said that Pheu Thai would not form a coalition with Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation due to their involvement in the 2014 coup.[6]"

"he's always had strong links to the Shinawatra family ..."

 

What surprise. 

 

So this won't wash. Thakisin will buy a new return ticket, this guy will be founded to own media shares or other nonsense. Rinse, spin, repeat. In reality there are only two requirements for anyone to be PM, 1) Monarchy stays, 2) Thaksin stays far away.

 

Edited July 24, 2023 by rabas

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

Election interference?

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, blazes said:

 

.....

He will be approved by the State Department.  (Say no more.)

......

Was he already approved in Washington?

[LALes]

So how is this different from when American Presidential candidates have to go bow down in front of the Wall St. Lords and

profess, "Nothing will fundamentally change" before every election.

You thought there were too many condos before, wait til this guy gets his hands on the reigns.

[crazykopite]

The 250 unelected senators will not vote him in due to them being in coalition with MF don’t be surprised if within 24 hours MFP are banned from politics by the courts the whole thing is a total stitch up the old guard refuse to accept the vote of the people 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, teutonian said:

I don’t hold this man in high regard at all.  As a Sansiri Customer he did everything possible to prevent me from complaining and resolving defects at a condo development.  Thankfully the Thai courts agreed and dismissed his criminal complaint for defamation and computer crime against me.  
 

 

Most Thai real estate developers seems to be quite filthy. Have a good friend who battled one for 2 years in court. The judge consistently belittled their attorneys, as they were so arrogant they always came unprepared, unlike my friend. Eventually, the company had to pay, plus legal fees. 

[sambum]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

It could be far worse.. 

Yes, you could have had "UTurn"Anutin or "Watch out for" Prawit, both of whom make my skin crawl!

[sambum]

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Most Thai real estate developers seems to be quite filthy. Have a good friend who battled one for 2 years in court. The judge consistently belittled their attorneys, as they were so arrogant they always came unprepared, unlike my friend. Eventually, the company had to pay, plus legal fees. 

Prime example:-

"Anuthin is heir to a major construction company fortune. His family's company, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction PCL..........",

[foreverlomsak]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

He is a known confidant of both Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, former and now exiled prime ministers of Thailand, and is seen as a pro-democracy and pro-reform candidate.

Even looks IMO a little like Thaksin, if he wins I guess he will be the one to facilitate their return and absolution.  Wonder which companies he holds shares in?

[sscc]

Subsequent to a major mistake in the Election campaign,  Peua Thai made three right decisions in the aftermath jockeying despite finishing second.

//    Did not yield on the House Speaker selection. 

//    Did not nominate anyone of Peua Thai party in the first PM voting section. 

//    Did not nominate the young lady for PM,  and install Srettha for the position.  

 

 

[Guderian]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

He is also a collector of classic travel trunks, such as those made by Louis Vuitton.

Now that's a strange hobby! Collecting expensive wristwatches I can understand, but suitcases?

[Bangkok Barry]

4 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Not eligible vested interests in real estate. 

You missed this part:
Srettha co-founded Sansiri in 1988, which became one of the largest real estate developers in Thailand, and served as its chief executive and president until he resigned in April of 2023 to pursue his political career.

[Sig]

His education credentials gave me a laugh. Bachelor's at Chula and then a pitiful MBA at an institution ranked in a tie for 89th! among other U.S. universities with programs competitive to his. And that university is expensive, of course.... He could have paid a cheaper fee to go to a top 10 program! But if you can't qualify to get in, then I guess cost means nothing. Reminds me of the quality of student from many rich families in "international" programs I've encountered over the years at the top Thai universities. Kids that are mostly utterly useless and don't care a whit about their education. They're just after that piece of paper that says they graduated from one of the top universities in their country. Speaking with some professors who were extremely frustrated that they couldn't fail their students (which they said could sometimes be over 50% of them if they could actually grade them as they deserved) was also quite eye-opening.
Combined with other things I read about him, this guy appears to be just another one of the elite puppets. No surprise there.

[kennw]

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

With the legitimate election winner removed from the running it's time to insert the stooge.

 

With good access to the trough.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, sambum said:

Yes, you could have had "UTurn"Anutin or "Watch out for" Prawit, both of whom make my skin crawl!

Likewise...

[Mavideol]

one could get confused Tha(ksin)visin, are they related  555

[Mavideol]

3 hours ago, sambum said:

Prime example:-

"Anuthin is heir to a major construction company fortune. His family's company, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction PCL..........",

and he's elected as MP and Health Minister.... owning shares on a company only applies to FF/MF parties 555