Ye Jianying

Ye Jianying was a Chinese Communist general and the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from 1978 to 1983.

Biography

Born Ye Yiwei into a wealthy merchant family in Mei County, Guangdong, his courtesy name was Cangbai . He belonged to the Hakka minority. After graduation from the Yunnan Military Academy in 1919, he joined Sun Yat-sen and the Kuomintang . He taught at the Whampoa Military Academy and joined the communist party in 1927.

In 1927, he participated in the failed Nanchang Uprising and was forced to flee to Hong Kong with another two communist leaders of the uprising, Zhou Enlai and Ye Ting , with two handguns among them. Although strongly opposed the Guangzhou Uprising with other military commanders such as Ye Ting in the same year, they nonetheless faithfully carried out their assigned duties in the uprising, which of course ended in disaster again, and once again, Ye was forced to flee to Hong Kong, like other communist leaders such as Ye Ting and Nie Rongzhen. However, Ye Jianying was far more fortunate than Ye Ting who was made a scapegoat of the failure of the Comintern policy and forced into exile, Ye Jianying was not blamed and subsequently studied military science in Moscow.

After returning to China in 1932 he joined the Jiangxi Soviet. He served as Chief of Staff of Zhang Guotao's Fourth Front Army. However, after the Zhang's force met with Mao Zedong's force during the Long March, Comintern's plan of letting him help Zhang Guotao was dashed when Mao Zedong and Zhang Guotao disagreed on the next move of the Chinese Red Army. Zhang insisted on turning southward to establish a new base in the regions inhabited by and Qiang minorities, which later proved to be a disaster, causing Zhang to lose over 75% of his force and eventually forced him to return to the communist base in Shaanxi, as Mao correctly pointed out the way it should. As chief of staff of Zhang Guotao, Ye Jianying realized Mao was right but could not convice Zhang to go with Mao's plan, and instead of supporting Zhang unconditionally like he did during the Guangzhou Uprising, Ye Jianying sided with Mao Zedong by escaping to Mao's headquarter from Zhang's headquarter, taking all the codes books and maps with him. As a result, Zhang's communication with Comintern was cut while Mao established the radio link with the Comintern, which was forced to accept Mao's leadership in the Communist Party of China. Mao would never forget the contribution of Ye and in his own words, "Ye Jianying saved the Party, the red army, and the revolution".

During the Long March, Ye Jianying assisted Liu Bocheng in directing the crossing of the Yangtze River at Anshunchang and Luding Bridge, and became director of the offices that liaised with the KMT after 1936, first in Xi'an, then in Nanjing and finally in Chongqing. He worked together with Zhou Enlai in this capacity.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Ye was put in charge of Guangdong , which cost him his political career under Mao's reign. Ye understood that the economic condition in Canton was very different from the rest of China in that most Cantonese landlords were peasants themselves who participated in production and were not exploiting other tenant peasants, so they were not struggled, and their properties including business and land were protected. However, Ye's practice contradicted the general policy of the communist land reform in China, which emphasized on class struggle, and Ye's policy was deemed too soft. As a result, Ye and his local cadres were soon replaced by Lin Biao's, and a much harsher policy like in the rest of China was implemented, and Ye's political career under Mao was effectively over.

However, Mao did not forget what Ye had done for him during the Long March and thus only removed him from political posts while at the same time, retained his military post. As a result, until 1968, Ye would be active in various military functions, including Defense Minister, having been made a marshal in 1955. Ye Jianying was clever in using his military influence and power to provide some limited support and protection for some of the reformers such as Zhao Ziyang, and he was responsible for spoiling assassination attempts on Deng Xiaoping's life during the Cultural Revolution.

He led the conspiracy of generals and Party elders that overthrew Jiang Qing and the , and during the initial discussion of the planning at his residence with Li Xiannian, both communicated by writing even though they sit right next to each other because the possible threat of bugging. He retired as vice-chairman of the Party when the position was abolished in 1982, and left the Politburo in September 1985. He died at 89 in Beijing.

Yap Kwan Seng

Yap Kwan Seng was the last Chinese kapitan of Kuala Lumpur from 1889 to 1902. Kapitans were appointed chiefs or headmen of the various ethnic communities during the British colonial rule in what is present-day Malaysia. Kapitans played an important role in the history of the in Malaysia. They wielded considerable influence, contributing to social, economic and political development in areas under their jurisdiction.

Yap Kwan Seng, of Hakka descent, was born in 1846 in the Chak Kai district of China. He moved to at the age of 18 and worked as a tin miner in Seremban.

Entrepreneurship

In 1870, Yap packed his bags for Selangor where he began his hard work to help pioneer the tin mining industry. He made his fortune in tin-mining. It is said he had a workforce of 7,000 and soon owned more tin mines than any of his contemporaries.

As a businessman, he foresaw an increased demand for bricks in fast-growing Kuala Lumpur and established a kiln in a district which came to be called Brickfields, a name by which it is still known today.

Yap was elected the fifth Kapitan in 1890 and was also appointed a member of the State Legislative Assembly of Selangor.

He ran his own small police force that helped him manage his many business interests. Yap was also the first Chinese to serve on the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board.

During the Pahang War in 1892 and the Boer War, Yap assisted the British by providing transportation, supplies and funds.

Yap also helped introduced the Chinese system of mining in West Africa when he sent thirty of his miners to assist the governor Sir William Maxwell in establishing the mining industry.

Social Contributions

Education

Kapitan Yap was also a firm believer in education and co-founded one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –Victoria Institution.

Healthcare

Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng’s philanthropic deeds and his many contributions to the birth of Kuala Lumpur are the stuff of history. Among his numerous achievements, perhaps one of the most significant is the founding of Pooi Shin Thong providing free medical services to the poor. The center grew and was later renamed Tung Shin Hospital, located along Jalan Pudu. The expenses were, of course, underwritten by the Kapitan himself.

A compassionate leader, he also co-founded the Tai Wah Ward of the Pauper’s Hospital that became the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital as well as Chak Kai Koong Kon in Jalan Sultan.

Philanthropy

His philanthropic deeds extended beyond and it is said that a year before he died in 1901, he donated the princely sum of ten thousand dollars towards famine relief in India, a gesture which surely qualifies as Malaysia’s first-ever effort at international humanitarian aid.

Houses

Yap Kwan Seng owned houses in Kuala Lumpur and Macau

Kuala Lumpur

The Kapitan’s residence in Kuala Lumpur was located on High Street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, which is today known as Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

It was massive, occupying the greater part of the street, with many deep courtyards, and a large garden in front for entertaining guests. Over 50 people, many of whom were servants, lived in the house. The ancestral hall was particularly impressive as it had a grand altar table upon which was placed chunks of crystal, quartz, gold and other precious stones found in the Kapitan’s tin mines.

Macau

The kapitan's mansion in Macau was apparently even bigger than the Kuala Lumpur residence. It was long and deep, with countless rooms, nooks and crannies, and so large that many sections were perpetually dim as they had no access to natural light.

Death and Recognition

Yap died in 1902 and was remembered as a community leader who was greatly concerned with the welfare of the people and his charity initiatives. After his death in 1902, the position of kapitan was abolished.

A major road in Kuala Lumpur called Jalan Yap Kwan Seng is named after him. Jalan Sin Chew Kee, which is located off Jalan Pudu, was also named in his honour after his tin mining business.

Yap Ah Loy

Yap Ah Loy , also known as Yap Tet Loy and Yap Mao Lan, started the development of Kuala Lumpur as a commercial and mining centre during the mid 1800s. Yap Ah Loy became a Kapitan Cina and the headman of a settlement of inhabitants. After the in 1963 Kuala Lumpur became the capital of Malaysia. Today, there is a street named after him in the heart of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, known as 'Jalan Yap Ah Loy' .

Background

Yap Ah Loy was born in the Guangdong Province of southern China on the 14 March 1837. His parents lived in the village of Tam Shui in the Kwai Yap district of the Fui Chiu prefecture. He was therefore by descent a Hakka of the Fui Chiu clan. Yap Ah Loy left China via Macau for the in 1854. On his arrival in Malaya, he found that the place was very much different from China. The scenery, with tall coconut and betel palms, and the small atap houses was a new and fascinating experience to him. Atap is a Malay word and it is a house of traditional design that uses wood and straw to build the walls and roof respectively.

On his arrival at Malacca Yap Ah Loy was given shelter by one of his clansman called Yap Ket Si. He was then taken to a tin mine in Durian Tunggal, where he stayed for 4 months. At the end of that period he left for Kesang where he found work in the shop of a relative named Yap Ng. He remained there for a year before arrangements were made to send him back to China via Singapore. Misfortune befell him when he lost all his money while waiting for the junk to set sail in Singapore for China. Instead of going back to Malacca he and another of his relatives named Yap Fook traveled on foot to Lukut in Selangor.

Career

Yap Ah Loy arrived in Lukut, in the state of Selangor, in 1856 at the age of 19. He spent his early years in the peninsula as a miner and petty trader, but in 1862 his fortunes improved when his friend Liu Ngim Kong succeeded Hiew Siew to became the second Kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur, a position not only of leadership within the Chinese community but also of liaison with the Malay political system and, after British intervention in 1874, with British officials as well. He served as Liu's trusted lieutenant and became the third Kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur after Liu's death in 1869, after which he began to put together a sound administration and a strong fighting force.

When civil war broke out in Selangor in 1870, Yap Ah Loy was faced with internecine fighting among dissident Chinese groups as well as attacks from factions. His decisive victory at Kuala Lumpur in 1873 proved to be the turning point in the war and left him in a strong political position. Until 1879 he was almost supreme in the interior of the state. As the acknowledged leader of the Chinese community he had been given the powers of a Malay ruling chief by the British except for the right to tax, a restriction he easily evaded. He achieved a striking post-war recovery in the mining industry and established Kuala Lumpur as the economic centre of the peninsula. Through his control of the tin market, his ownership of local "farms" , and his diverse business interests, he amassed a considerable personal fortune.

In 1879, the first British resident was assigned to Kuala Lumpur, and from that time the power of the Kapitan began to be undermined. None of Yap Ah Loy's successors approached his power and independence of action.

In 1884, Yap Ah Loy began to plan a visit to China. He proposed to appoint Yap Ah Shak and Chow Yuk to manage his property in his absence. For some reasons the plan was postponed. On the 1 September 1884, natural catastrophes caused widespread damage to property in Kuala Lumpur. The violent storm blew down 14 houses and a wing of the newly built Police barracks. The storm also damaged the barrack's residential area and the flagstaff.

Death

At the end of 1884, Yap Ah Loy fell ill with bronchitis and an abscess of the left lung. In March 1885, he made little recovery before but he passed away on 15 April 1885. The doctor examined Yap's body and later confirmed that his death was either due to heart failure or poisoning by the fumes of the charcoal brazier. The doctor also noticed the exceptional brightness of his eyes.

Significant contributions

*Founder of Kuala Lumpur.
*Built the
*Introduced the first steam pump into .
*Kept peace among the 10,000 Chinese in town with the aid of only 6 policemen.
*He founded the first Chinese school in Kuala Lumpur, in 1884.

The founder of Kuala Lumpur

During his post as the Kapitan, he started the development of Kuala Lumpur, which has been the modern capital city of Malaysia since 1963. His contribution changed Kuala Lumpur from a undeveloped estate into a famous city, especially concerning the upgrade in the condition of the roads. Even today, Kuala Lumpur owes much to his leadership due to his efforts on its behalf.

Little honorable recognition from the Malaysian government

Yap Ah Loy had contributed so much to the development of Kuala Lumpur in the past, but the current government did very little to honor him. His name is hardly mentioned elsewhere, and only one of the small roads in the area has been named after him. The local Chinese community also express their frustration that the great man would be forgotten in the future.

Kuala Lumpur's Kapitan

* 1858-1861: Kapitan Hiu Siew
* 1862-1868: Kapitan Liu Ngim Kong
* 1868-1885: Kapitan Yap Ah Loy
* 1885-1889: Kapitan Yap Ah Shak
* 1889-1902: Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng

The post of Kapitan was later abolished after the death of Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng.

Yang Xiuqing

Yang Xiuqing , , organizer and commander-in-chief of the Taiping Rebellion.

Yang was a salesman of firewood in Guangxi province before he joined the rebellion. In 1848 he converted to Christianity after reporting that he had experienced visions of God. In 1850 he began to claim that he could miraculously heal true believers. He was an early participant in the rebellion and rose quickly to prominence; in 1851, when Hong Xiuquan took the title of Heavenly King for himself, Yang was made commander-in-chief of the army. Yang was further named "East King", in keeping with three other leaders of the rebellion who were given titles as "kings" the four quarters of the Heavenly Kingdom. Yang devised an extensive network of spies to root out the intrigues of loyalists in the kingdom. By the 1850s Yang became the most powerful leader of the Taiping Rebellion.

Under Yang's direction, the city of Nanjing , which became the capital of the Heavenly Kingdom, was taken in 1853. As Hong became increasingly disinterested in politics and more interested in his harem, he named Yang as his prime minister for the Heavenly Kingdom. Yang clashed with Hong over the rebellion's policies and views toward Confucianism and iconoclasm; Yang believed that Confucian morality was essentially positive and that its basic tenets were compatible with the rebellion's interpretation of Christianity and that images of dragons were not . Hong, however, rejected this notion and believed that Confucianism ought to be eradicated, as it was the work of the devil. This, and Yang's conspiracies for greater power raised Hong's ire, and in 1856, Yang was murdered by Hong's followers. In the three months that followed, Hong killed Yang's family and thousands of the dead East King's adherents. The fortunes of the Taiping Rebellion subsequently declined as the rebellion's leaders became involved in internecine conspiracies and intrigues.

Yang Jinghui

Yang Jinghui is a male who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

He won the gold medal in the synchronized 10 metre platform competition together with Tian Liang.

Yang Fuqing

Yang Fuqingborn in Meizhou was an vice important leader during the middle and late Taiping Rebellion against the Qing government 1855-1874. Yang Fuqing created famous Chinese gang in Los Angeles, California in 1866. He was a young brother-in-law to Yang Xiuqing.

In 1858 Yang Fuqing defeated Wei June and occupied the Chizhou for Taiping.

In 1864 the Nanjing loss and finished Taiping Rebellion, Yang escaped to American from Shanghai by ship.Some pseudohistorys said Yang bring Hong‘s son to US！

Yang came back China again and was arrested and died during the siege of Fuzhou in 1874, then he just join in Green Standard Army and prepare organized anti-Qing espionage inner newly troops but were discovered by colonel Wei June and Brigadier General Ma Zongher. Although look appearance that Yang was unwise, in fact 1874 was the 10 years memory which finished Taiping Rebellion, this look like ceremony‘s act maybe shamed on and blameed himself for escaped single from millions deaths Taiping‘s old brothers made him pain every day and night in American, and if he were arrested by Wei and Ma that could laughed at their surrender to Qing. He rather lay down and drop his last blood on China mainland the great homeland！ Yang‘s action of back China to make people emotion endless and respected. He really a Martyr for Chinese revolution.

Sources

Tiān Guó Zwi

Xue Yue

Xue Yue was one of Nationalist China's best generals. Nicknamed by General Claire Chennault of Flying Tigers fame as the Patton of Asia. Born to a Hakka peasant family in Lechang, Guangdong, Xue joined the Chinese army in 1914, at the age of 18. When Chiang Kai-shek formed the Whampoa Military Academy years later, Xue was one of the graduates. After Chiang purged the communists during the , Xue's army chased the Communists 12,000 miles by foot and nearly annihilated them, forcing them to the Long March. For these accomplishments, Chiang Kai-shek hailed him as "a true example of an officer."

After the Xian incident, however, Xue's loyalty was in doubt after he offered to personally arrest Chiang Kai-shek and hand him over to the Communists if Chiang refused to fight the Japanese immediately. Although he immediately reconciled with Chiang Kai-shek, his relations with the KMT were strained throughout the . Xue commanded the 19th Army Group that fought the Battle of Shanghai. Later, during the Campaign of Northern and Eastern Honan 1938 he commanded the Eastern Honan Army.

Xue was also involved in the defense of greater Wuhan, commanding the 1st Army Corps. In the mountains northwest of Wuhan, Xue succeeded in nearly destroying the entire 106th division of the imperial Japanese army. During the battle, most of the Japanese officers were killed and the Japanese had to air-drop 300 officers by parachutes into the battlefield. Xue Yue was also responsible for the victories of the 9th Front, in the and Battle for Changsha. His forces of the 9th Front was also also victorious at the Battle of Changde but were defeated in the .

During World War II, KMT and opposed to providing him and his men ammunition to fight the Japanese due to the rampant corruption in the KMT. Chennault, however, supplied Xue with weapons to the dismay of Stilwell. Xue's 9th Front was also responsible for protecting Chennault's air fields. Chennault and Xue became sworn brothers and remained close friends until Chennault's death in 1958.

After WWII, Xue's relation with Chiang suffered a further blow when Xue refused to be abide by Chiang Ching-kuo's financial/economical reform. Xue refused to exchange his gold for the Gold Yuan paper currency as mandated by law. When Huang Shaoxiong informed Xue that this was illegal, Xue responded that he and his subordinates' gold was paid in blood and he would personally shoot Chiang Ching-kuo if he attempted to arrest him. In the end, Xue and his subordinates managed to keep most of their gold. When Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan in 1949, Xue was put in charge of defending Hainan island. Unfortunately, the victorious Red Army was too much for the demoralized Nationalist Forces. Xue left for Taiwan after the defense of Hainan Island collapsed. He was semi-retired and served as a nominal adviser to the army in Taiwan. He lived until 1998 to the age of 101. He led Chiang's Funeral in 1976. Over all, he was one of the most accomplished and respected military leaders from Haungpu Military Academy.

Xie Shaoguang

Xie Shaoguang is a former Singaporean Chinese actor. Known for his roles on MediaCorp TV Channel 8's drama serials and other programmes, he rose to fame for his acting prowess and versatility despite not being known for his physical appearance. Since the start of his acting career in 1989 in his first drama ''A Mother's Love'' , he has received numerous allocades, including winning the ''Best Actor'' award five times and the ''Best Supporting Actor'' award twice since the Star Awards was given out in 1994, earning him the label of arguably the Best Actor in the country. His achievements in winning one of the ''Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste'' awards every year since 1995 also underscores his strong popularity amongst his viewers. In Star Awards 2005, he was awarded the ''All-Time Favourite Artiste'' award because he has won the popularity award for 10 times.

In 2005, he formalised his plans to retire from showbiz when he decided not to renew his contract which expired in September the same year, although his intentions to quit has been made known years earlier. He said that after retirement, he would be living in Malaysia, where his friends and himself would be setting up a farm for stray dogs and cats.

His final appearance was in the drama series '''' , which ended its run on 9 September 2005. He is unmarried and currently known to be a homosexual.

He is currently residing in Permas Jaya, Malaysia, as a chef for his own vegetarian restaurant, ''Three 0 Cafe'' . All the restaurant's proceeds will go directly to his Chinese Amitofo Religious Organisation.

Awards and Accolades

* 1995
**Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '95
**Best Supporting Actor Award, Star Awards '95
*1996
**Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '96
**Best Supporting Actor Award, Star Awards '96
**Best Actor Award, Star Awards '96
*1997
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '97
*1998
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '98
**Best Actor Award, Star Awards '98
**Best Actor Award, Asian Television Awards '98
*1999
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '99
**Best Actor Award, Star Awards '99
*2000
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '00
*2001
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '01
*2002
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '02
*2003
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '03
**Best Actor Award, Star Awards '03
*2004
**Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards '02
** Best Actor Award, Star Awards '04
*2005
**All-Time Favourite Artiste Award
*2007
**My Favourite Actor Award,
**Best Onscreen Couple ,
**Top 10 Villain Roles,

Xie Jinyuan

Xie Jinyuan , courtesy name Zhongmin , was a military leader and war hero.

Biography

A Hakka native, Xie was born in Jiaoling County in Guangdong. He majored in politics at Whampoa Military Academy, and after graduation was assigned to the 5th Regiment, 2nd Division as a platoon commander. In 1928 he was promoted to company commander, and in 1929 the division was involved in the defence of Shandong from a Japanese invasion and Xie was badly wounded in the defence. After he recovered he took command of the machine gun battalion of the regiment, and was later promoted to a Major and transferred as a staffer in the Wuhan HQ. In 1931 he accepted an assignment to the 78th Division of the 19th Route Army, and in October 1930 he was transferred to the 88th as the battalion commander of the Reserve Regiment, and later served as vice regimental commander and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. From October 1936 he served as chief of staff in the 262nd Brigade.

When he was transferred to the 524th Regiment in October 1937, he was not familiar with any of the men under his command. The 524th Regiment of the defended the Sihang Warehouse, in the final phase of the Battle of Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Xie Jinyuan was assassinated on 24 April 1941, by Sergeant He Dingcheng and 3 other of his own troops, who were bought over by Wang Jingwei's collaborationist government. More than 100,000 people turned up for his funeral and he was posthumously made a Brigadier General of the National Revolutionary Army.

He married Ling Weicheng in 1929, and had 2 sons and 2 daughters: Youmin , Jimin , Xuefen and Lanfen .

Legacy

Xie Jinyuan's body was interred in a small garden along Singapore Road where his bunk used to be. In 1947 the Shanghai city government renamed Jiaoyuan Park as Jinyuan Park, and renamed an elementary school in the vicinity 12th District Jinyuan National Elementary School. The road to the immediate north of the warehouse was renamed Jinyuan Road.

On 16 April 1983, Xie's grave was moved to the Wanguo Public Mausoleum. In the same year, the barracks area was rebuilt and named Jinyuan Alley. In March 1986 the city council of Xie's hometown, Jiaoling, Guangdong, set up a monument in his honour, and his alma mater Jiankeng Elementary School was renamed Jinyuan Elementary School.

Xie Fei (politician)

Xie Fei was a politburo member of Communist Party of China, and vice chairman of standing committee of National People's Congress.

Biography

Xie was born in Hekou Town, , Guangdong Province. He secretly participated in CPC's activities in 1947, and joined CPC in July 1949. In 1955, he was appointed as a member of CPC's Lufeng County committee, and the director of propaganda department. He was later promoted to secretary of CPC Lufeng committee. He was transferred to journal "Shangyou" as an editor in 1960. His following appointments included fellow in office of policy research in CPC's central south bureau, vice director of political office in Guangdong Revolutionary Commission, vice director in department of politics in scientific and educational system in Guangdong, and vice director of office of culture and education in Guangdong.

In 1976, he became one of three leaders in journal "Red Flag". He was appointed as vice secretary general as well as director of executive office in CPC Guangdong committee in 1979. He was promoted to secretary general and president of party school in Guangdong in 1983. Xie became secretary of CPC Guangzhou municipal committee in 1986, and the secretary of CPC Guangdong committee in 1991. He was a member of politburo and secretary of CPC Guangdong committee from 1992 to 1998. From March 1998, he became vice chairman of standing committee of National People's Congress as well as a politburo member.

He was an alternate member of 12th CPC central committee, and a full member of 13th-15th central committee, and a politburo member of 14th-15th central committee.

He died of disease on October 27, 1999 in Guangzhou, at age of 67.

Wu Poh-hsiung

Wu Po-hsiung , is a politician in the Republic of China , is currently chairman of the Kuomintang . He previously served as Mayor of Taipei , interior minister of the Republic of China, and presidential secretary general .

Biography

Wu was born to a Hakka family in Chungli City, Taoyuan County, when Taiwan was still a Japanese colony, and received a bachelor degree in business administration from National Cheng Kapanese colony, and received a bachelor degree in business administration from National Cheng Kung ung University in 1962. He entered politics when he was elected into the Taiwan Provincial Council in the Taoyuan County electoral district from 1968 to 1972, and later Taoyuan County Magistrate from 1972 to 1976.

Wu was formerly the first vice-chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang party. After Chairman Ma Ying-jeou resigned, he became the acting chairman. Wu, however, subsequently resigned his post as acting chairman and member of the Central Standing Committee in order to compete in the chairman election scheduled for April 7, 2007. Ma announced his support for Wu for chairmanship.

Wu eventually won the party chairmanship election, garnering about 90% of votes cast, defeating KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chiu. Of all eligible voters, about 53% voted.

Outside politics, Wu is a practicing Buddhist and has proclaimed support for the Taiwan based Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. Wu served as the second president of the Taiwan chapter of Buddha's Light International Association.

Wong Mew Choo

Wong Mew Choo is a female badminton singles player from Malaysia.

She is known for her exceptional endurance and stamina, the result of training alongside male shuttlers. Without any significant attacking arsenals, she initially built her game based on fitness and defence, with the ability to run a continuous, long rally; sending everything back to tactically superior opponents until a mistake or an attacking opportunity appears. Such tactics have served her well, but put a lot of pressure on her knees and ankles. She has been known to suffer from various long term injuries in her playing career.

Recently, Mew Choo has been playing with more aggression, power and speed. She now shows more willingness to take the initiative and occasionally does unexpected things to keep opponents guessing, such as engaging them into tight net dribbles, which she did in her match against Zhang Ning in the China Open.

History

She first came to prominence in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games badminton women's singles, when she won the gold medal, along the way beating Singapore's Li Li, then the reigning Commonwealth Games Champion.

2005

*She competed at the 2005 World Badminton Championships in Anaheim and reached the second round. Mew Choo managed two quarterfinal appearances, in the Denmark Open and 2005 Asian Badminton Championships.




*She managed a semifinal finish despite losing a tough encounter with Mia Audina. Later that year, she qualified again for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games women's singles badminton final, but had to settle for silver, losing to Adriyanti Firdasari of Indonesia.

2006

In the in Melbourne, she helped clinch the gold medal in the mixed team event, taking the crucial point against England's Tracy Hallam that gave Malaysia the lead 2-1. Eventually the team won 3-1 over for the first time in Games history. However, Hallam exacted revenge in the individual events women's singles final.

In the 2006 World Badminton Championships, she reached the third round before losing to Zhang Ning.

Her best achievement of the year was in the semifinals, losing to eventual winner Zhu Lin. She also reached the quarterfinals.

2007

*The year 2007 was Wong Mew Choo's best year. She started by reaching the finals of the , defeating big names like Pi Hongyan and Xu Huaiwen on her way. At the , she beat Chinese Lu Lan to become the first Malaysian women's singles player to qualify in the women's singles quarterfinal. Lu claimed revenge in the 2007 Asian Badminton Championships.




*Her biggest win was at the 2007 World Badminton Championships third round, where she shocked China's Xie Xingfang in straight sets to become the first Malaysian women's singles player to reach the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Badminton Championships in Kuala Lumpur. However, her progress was stopped by Zhu Lin, who went on to take the title.




*She was beaten in the first round of the , but quickly rebounded a week later, at the . Wong defeated higher ranked players like . However, Mew Choo lost to Xie Xingfang in the semifinal




*Wong Mew Choo, who is unseeded and has not won any major championship since the , delivered a brilliant performance in Guangzhou, China by beating all the top three female shuttlers from China in succession, starting with Zhu Lin, Zhang Ning, and finally Xie Xingfang in three sets in the final. She became the one of only a few non-Chinese winners of the China Open. She also became the first Malaysian woman to lift an international title outside the country.

2008

*Mew Choo started the year by reaching the semifinal of before losing to Zhu Lin once again.

*She played in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, becoming the quarter-finalist after her defeat from Lu Lan of China.

Achievement

Personal life

Lee Chong Wei is her boyfriend.

Wong Li-Lin

Wong Li-Lin , known by the stage name Li-Lin, is a Singaporean actress. She has acted in dramas such as ''Triple Nine'' and ''Masters of the Sea''. After a brief hiatus from acting in 1998, she returned in 2000 and started acting frequently in Channel 8 dramas from 2001 to 2005. She was also one of the four judges of the reality TV series ''The Dance Floor''. She is married to actor Allan Wu, and they have two children, daughter Sage and son Jonas.

In 2008, Li-Lin starred in the Singapore romance film The Leap Years alongside Ananda Everingham. The movie was directed by Jean Yeo.

She was also one of the two guest speakers, along with Huang Bi Ren, to be invited to the Great Parenting Forum held on 14 June 2008 at Swissotel The Stamford ballroom. The event was extremely well received and sponsored by many companies.

Wong Jeh Shyan

Wong Jeh Shyan is the CEO of the influential CommerceNet Singapore and the co-founder and CEO of Ecommerce Gateway Pte. Ltd., an active venture investment company investing in strategic sectors, notably in Karachi and regionally. His company is best known as it was awarded the contract to project manage IDEAS defence show in Pakistan.

Wong serves as a partner in Shyan Associates, Consulting Partner in CNSG Consulting Group, and is believed to have indirect interest in several venture capital firms including CNSG Capital, Alphamatrix VC and Betamatrix. He is considered a leading figure in both the technology, investment and design industries. He is also well known for mentoring successful entrepreneurs, usually scions from established business families. He sits on the Board of Advisor in Institute of Business and Technology Karachi. Most of his known businesses are privately held by his proxies.

Family Background

Wong is a third-generation Chinese Malaysian: his Hakka grandfather, Wong Men , emigrated from the Chingyuan county of Guangdong province to the Straits Settlements via Singapore in 1912 before settling down in tin mining heartland of Kinta district. The eldest of five siblings, Wong was born in Ipoh and grew up in the village of Ampang Baru, a modest wooden house unit number 200. His father Wong Yon Loong a proponent of mainstream Chinese education and had served as headmaster in various primary schools in Kinta district. His mother, Goh Swee Kim was also a notable educationist having been headmistress at various village primary schools. Despite being Chinese educationists, they elect to send Wong to a Methodist school for an English education - which was changed to Malay stream national education.

Wong graduated with two bachelor degrees from National University of Singapore, where he furthered his studies after completing his high school in Han Jiang, Penang. Wong gained his higher secondary education in Anderson School, Ipoh after leaving Seri Putera Secondary School in Fair Park, Ipoh as well as Ho Seng Ong Methodist primary school in Canning Garden, Ipoh. Wong was respected for his openess, friendliness and ease of moving across cultural, religion and ethnic lines, reflected through his friends who came from different ethnic background. In primary school his close friends include Roslan Mat Jalil and also a very close Sikh, Jasbir Singh. With Jasbir Singh he continued until both left school after completing Form 6 in Anderson School, Ipoh

Pakistan Ventures

Wong's history in business has contributed greatly to the mythos of Ipoh entrepreneur, where he was born and gained his early education. His first foray into Pakistan market is the purchase of US Publisher Pvt. Ltd. of the famed . Mr. Wong had been credited to have turned the company around and made it into one of the most profitable and largest directory publishing arm in Pakistan. He is known to use Karachi as his main base to launch into Middle East, apart from Bahrain.

Together with Ecommerce Gateway co-founder Dr. Khursheed Nizam, Wong helped jump start and developed the infancy industry in Pakistan in the early 2000s. New to CommerceNet then, Wong was among the first to see the commercial potential of Pakistan's M.I.C.E. industry. He lobbied his business associates and network, getting his acquaintances and network together, financed and led numerous trade delegations to Pakistan from 2001 to 2007.

Among the key projects attributed to Wong is the ITCN Asia series in Karachi, first held in March 2001. The project is know to have gained considerable support from the Governor of Sindh then, H.E. Muhammad Mian Soomro and subsequently H.E. Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan, the succeeding Governor; and the then Sindh Finance Minister, Senator Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, as a catalyst for investment into Karachi. The project was international in scope, and widely publicised in the media with the support and attendance of former President then.

A strong proponent of promoting trade among Muslim countries, Wong finally established a physical MuslimBIG trade series after several failed online attempts including MuslimBizHub and ePortal Exchange. He is known for his close relationship with Islamic Chamber of Commerce and with the previous secretary general H.E. Aqeel Ahmad Al-Jassem.

Another high profile project is the master planning of the new 250 acres Dadabhoy University Campus in Hawkesbay commissioned by Dadabhoy Foundation. The new campus is expected to house 28,000 undergraduates when fully developed. He is also a known proponent of contemporary social housing development, which he proposed as part of the university township as a measure to solve the housing problems in Karachi.

Malaysia Ventures

As an , Wong pushed the investment and venture funding community around him towards investment into community systems, waste recovery and recycling projects. He is known to have initiated feasibilities into mass top soil rehabilitation projects. His 'fanaticism' towards environmental projects had also made him disregard and often alienated him and from other arising opportunities.

He is well known for his brand of mixing friendship with business, preferring to do something he passionately believes in, for free. That unsustainable approached to business gained him tremendous criticism among his investment community peers but were clearly demonstrated in his friendship with founders of Kinta Switchgear, KRR International and MTrans, where he helped the company into regional urban transit markets, particularly in Middle-East and South Asia entirely out of camaraderie spirit. The same applies with his friendship in the early days of TK Cosmic Group, Ipoh, which he later invested; and also with company in Kepong, Malaysia.

His steep learning curve is derived from his early Malaysian ventures that had ended up in failures. That include the early days of dotcoms when he invested heavily in www.ipoh.com under Ipohcom and Ipohcom Technologies. Critics had labeled him having too much emotional attachment to his hometown that clouded his otherwise cutting edge investment judgment, which was very typical of his early ventures.

He is also known to finance his proxies in the development of high-end clustered boutique bungalows. He is linked as a strategic adviser to one of Ipoh's top famed pastry corporation - Yee Hup of Gunong Rapat.

Singapore Ventures

Wong is well known for starting the E-Global series, an award recognising intellectual ideas of aspiring and rising young individuals in Singapore. His multi-lateral approach towards partnering saw him collaborating with AMPRO, a leading Malay Muslim professional business organisation; Junior Chamber International, City JC Singapore; Innovators and Entrepreneur Association of Singapore and other organisations coming together to launch the E-Global Awards.

He is known to partner with Mr. Inderjit Singh and two other Pakistani acquaintances, one of them being Dr. Khursheed Nizam to hold Ecommerce Gateway as a private investment holding company for strategic Pakistan business ventures. He later moved into private equity investment in 2004 after seeing the devastating environmental destruction brought by Tsunami which greatly depressed him. His early acquisitions are all environmental related companies, much in line with his environmentalist tendencies.

His ventures in Singapore are varied. As a prolific entrepreneur, he was a partner in desktop publishing firm, Fu Manchu Designs ; pioneered the field of digital imaging and archiving where he authored the business plan and co-founded CD Imaging , now known as Fotohub; was a founding partner in Rongsak & Shyan, a leading architecture visualising company before setting up his own architecture practice of Shyan Associates in end-1996. He was known to head CommerceTrust Limited founded by Dr. Toh See Kiat, a former member of parliament in Singapore.

Wong took over the helm of CommerceNet Singapore in March 2000 as the Chief Executive Officer at the end of . He reengineered CommerceNet Singapore into a new 'CNSG' branding, famed for taking on higher risks and unproven technology ventures. This had made a strong following among newer companies reeling from the failures of dotcoms.

He also co-founded the prestigious CNSG Consulting Group with two of his close associates. The group takes on some of the higher value and more controversial projects mostly within ASEAN region. The consulting group often acts in tandem with the corps of CommerceNet's Consulting Partners, is known to be an aggressive financial platform to 'project manage' leveraged buy-out, corporate raiding and reverse take-over, pulling off some of the most sensitive merger and acquisitions in ASEAN. Wong is well known for his forte in rallying together high net worth and professional resources. He is sought for his ability to mobilise very large amount of funding within very short time frame in adverse market conditions.

Other Asean Ventures

Wong's Pan-ASEAN ventures are mostly centred in Bangkok, Phnom Penh with projects in Jakarta setting the pace. While his known ventures are mostly related to environmental design, waste recycling and material science, he is better known for his innovative approach to project financing. His venture portfolio companies are working with promoter of Bogor Cyber Park in Indonesia. Although only playing a minor role in these ventures, he however left his fingerprints planning the innovative financial road-maps of these ventures.

He financed high risk Cambodian projects through the first venture capital company in the kingdom. He is one of the main strategist behind regional based REIT-play whereby independent real estate developments in the region were clusterred into high yield vehicle.

Mauritius Ventures

Wong's participation in Mauritius include conceptualising and master planning the Solares Integrated Resort Scheme at Flic-en-Flac, a high profile and the largest Integrated Resort Scheme in Mauritius. Solares IRS is better known as the first truly planned township in Mauritius and a true destination resort, among the first IRS approved by the government of Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

His other controversial projects are the highly publicised Mauritius Monorail lobby that he helped raise the initial finance and support. His project had made headlines in the local media and fanned vocal debates by both proponent and opponent of the idea. In his scheme of things, the promotion of MTrans Technology Berhad's monorail
as a viable alternative to Mauritius' pollution-prone buses and old diesel cars. Wong's nature as an environmentalist had him seeing red the state of Mauritius increasingly grid-locked traffic congestion. He has lobbied MTrans to use Mauritius as a base to serve African region. He is often seen with MTrans founder Mr. David Chew Keat Soon, who continue to control MTrans International Limited of Hong Kong. He is also known to be financing a detailed study if Madagascar can be an alternative showcase to modern transport solution in Africa as alternative to Mauritius, having traveled to Antananarivo and had met President Marc Ravalomanana there in late 2007.

Bahrain and Middle East Ventures

Wong co-founded Middle-east Transit Corporation , together with his old friend Sheikh Saud bin Salman Al-Khalifa. The Bahrain-based company extends its arm over the entire Middle-east. The company had arranged for the facilitation of Monorail proposal into the City of Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working with MTrans Monorail of Malaysia. He had also financed MTrans Monorail's pathfinders to explore the feasibility of Monorail Urban Transit into cities of Aman , Istanbul and Ankara , Karachi as well as Cairo .

Wong had a close relationship with the late Mr. Haitham O. Himut who founded Strategic Enterprise Corporation of Saudi Arabia. The late Mr. Haitham was also a shareholder in METRANS and was also involved in the original iTeknocity of Bahrain. Wong initially represented SECORP in Singapore until 2006 and extended his support for SECORP via the influential CNSG Consulting Group. Their notable support include preparing venture strategies for Sudan projects which include the controversial NGIP Programmes within the proposed Nubia Free Zone. SECORP is also a major consideration in attracting Wong to Indonesia working on a version of Bogor Cyber Park proposal taking up two of the seven plots in Phase I.

While most of his ventures in Saudi Arabia, including exhibitions
, are all located to the Eastern Province, he is said to have shown considerable interest in 'Asir province and around the Red Sea for higher value added technology and urban projects.

Books and Articles

Wong had authored a series of highly controversial articles, mostly in relationship with exploratory urban planning issues where high density of people staying together. Among the published articles include:
i) Next Generation Megacities;
ii) Mauritius Linear City: Framework for 4 million population;
iii) Beneath the Business Plans; and
iv) Sustainable Desert Urban Habitat.

Affiliations and Awards

Wong was conferred his honorary doctorate in 2007.

He is also a corporate member of Royal Institute of British Architects and an associate of American Institute of Architects.

He was nominated and appointed the Chairman of International Architects Salon from 2003-2006. He was also a member of the jury for International Tianjin Music Hall Design Competition.

Wing Yip

Wing Yip is a chain in the United Kingdom, founded in 1969.

The current Birmingham store now also serves as its headquarters office, warehouse, and national distribution centre. The company has superstore branches in Manchester and Greater London . In addition, the company has expanded into wholesale and export , and real estate development/management, such as siting its stores within larger commercial centres.

History

* 1969 - Wing Yip Group founded
* 1970 - Opens first store in downtown Birmingham
* 2004 - Launches online store

Wee Ka Siong

Dr Wee Ka Siong is a Malaysian politician who has served as Member of Parliament since 2004. He is born in Jasin, Melaka to a Hakka Family and later brought up in Tamping, Negeri Sembilan. He is appointed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the Deputy Education Minister on 18 March 2008.

He is also the secretary general for Malaysia Chinese Association Youth Wing, a child body of Malaysian Chinese Association, the 2nd largest political party in Malaysia. He is with MCA since 1992. Wee, who has an impeccable command of Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin, represents the young, highly-educated leaders the MCA is trying to promote.

Background

Prior his appointment as the Deputy Education Minister,he was the Malaysian Qualifications Agency,MQA director ,Malaysia Youth Council Representative and National Economic Consultative Council's member.

He receive his tertiary education from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia on Civil Engineering in 1997-1992 . As a student in UTM, he was the chairperson of the non-Muslim council in University Teknologi Malaysia where he studied civil engineering. He underwent an student-exchange programme to study in Tokyo for a month. He applied through the university and was sponsored by the Japanese government.

He later persue his Master in Traffic Engineering and later his Ph.D in Transportation Planning . He is a qualified Civil Engineer and is a member of the Board of Engineering Malaysia.

He was awarded The Outstanding Young Malaysian Award in 2005 马来西亚十大杰出青年奖 . This award was given by the Junior Chamber International Kuala Lumpur, Puchong, Malaysia.

Family

He is married to Lim Hai Ean林海燕,a lawyer and have 2 children.

Deputy Education Minister Office

Teh Yeow Meng 郑耀民 is in Wee's ministry as a senior private secretary 教育部副部长魏家祥高级机要秘书

While, his current private secretary is Mr Lim Ching Hao 林星豪,教育部副部长魏家祥机要秘书

Achievement and Millstone as a Deputy Education Minister

He promised the Chinese Community to re-open the SRJK Damansara School. He keep to his promiese and the school will re-open as a new school in 2009.

12th Malaysian General Elections

222 parliamentary constituency was created by Election Commission Malaysia in Malaysia with Johor maintaining the 26 constituency.

Wee Ka Siong managed to get 20,230 while Haji Hussin Sujak got only 6321 votes.

Wee Ka Siong beat PAS candidate's Haji Hussin Sujak with majority of 13,909 votes.

In this constituency, there are around 34,805 voters with 27,458 voters come out to cast their votes. 907 votes are classify as nullified votes.

Wee Ka Siong is the MCA Member of Parliament who managed to get the highest majority votes in the 12th Malaysia General Election.

He is widely expected to be a Deputy Minister when Federal Government is formed.

11th Malaysian General Elections 2004

2004 election photo

219 parliamentary constituency was created by Election Commission Malaysia in Malaysia with 26 constituency are in Johor states.

In 2004,Johor had increase 6 extra parliament seat due to the increse number of resident in Johor.

Ayer Hitam was one of the newly created constituency with 55.6% are Malay and 40.1% are chinese. The remaining 4.3% are Indian and 0.1% are others races.

Wee Ka Siong was given a chance to contest on the Barisan Nasional ticket. He was chosen because of his avid speaking.

In this constituency, there are around 32,562 voters with 25,218 voters come out to cast their votes. 851 votes are classify as nullified votes.

20,065 polled voters support Barisan Nasional's new candidates in Ayer Hitam out of the 25,218 voters, while PAS candidates, Mohd Zamri bin Mat Taksis receive merely 4,302 votes.

Wee Ka Siong beat PAS candidate's Mohd Zamri bin Mat Taksis with majority of 15,763 votes.

In this 11th General Election, the Barisan Nasional scored a spectacular victory, polling 63.8% of the popular vote . In Malaysia’s first-past-the-post electoral system, this translated into 198 of the 219 parliament seats, or 90.4% of all the seats in parliament. This is the ruling party’s highest ever domination of parliament.

10th Malaysian General Elections 1999

In 1999 , 394 states seat and 193 parliamanet seat was created by the Election commision of Malaysia. With Johor having 40 states and 20 Parliament seat.

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Victor Wong (singer)

Victor Wong Pin Kuan is a Malaysian Chinese singer who has made his name in the Taiwan music scene. He was born on February 26, 1972.

He formed a duo group with named Michael & Victor in 1995 when they first started out as singers under Rock Records. They attained much success in Taiwan but decided to break up in 2000 to pursue solo careers. He has 9 solo albums to date.

*2000 – 自创品牌
*2001 – 疼你的责任
*2002 – 教堂的初吻
*2003 – u-turn 180?转弯
*2004 – 门没琐
*2005 – 后来的我新歌＋精选
*2006 – 爱到无可救药
*2007 - Need U Most 最需要你 - K歌情人
*2008 - 那些女孩教我的事

Victor Lo

Victor Lo Chung Wing, , , is the chairman and chief executive of Gold Peak Industries Limited. He is the non-official member of Executive Council of Hong Kong, and the chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

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Reference

Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen is a former Vice of the Republic of China . She is the incumbent chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party .

Early career

Upon graduation from the department of law at National Taiwan University in 1978, she obtained a Master's degree in Legal Science from Cornell University Law School in 1980 and then a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics . Upon her return to Taiwan, she held professorial positions at several universities until 1993 before being appointed to a succession of bodies, including the Fair Trade Commission, the Copyright Commission of the Ministry of the Interior, and the . She was also convener of the Drafting/Research Group on the Statute Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau.

Tsai is one of the chief drafters of the Special state-to-state relations doctrine of President Lee Teng-hui.

Rise in politics

In 2000, Tsai was given the high-profile appointment of chairperson of the Mainland Affairs Council. Confirming the widely-held belief that she maintained sympathies, Tsai joined the Democratic Progressive Party in 2004. On January 26, 2006, Tsai was appointed to the post of Vice President of the Executive Yuan, a position commonly referred to as Vice Premier. She concurrently served as chairwoman of the Consumer Protection Commission.

On May 17, 2007, Tsai, along with the rest of the cabinet of out-going Su Tseng-chang, resigned to make way for incoming Chang Chun-hsiung and his cabinet. Premier Chang named Chiou I-jen, the incumbent Secretary-General of the to replace Tsai as Vice Premier. She then served as the chair of TaiMedBiologics, a biotechnology company based in Taiwan.

In Kuomintang candidate Ma Ying-jeou's search for his running mate for the , Tsai, a DPP member, was surprisingly suggested. Ma has stated that there are no set criteria for a running mate, that his search will not be defined by sex, occupation, or even political party affiliations.

On May 19, 2008, Tsai defeated Koo Kwang-ming in the , and succeeded outgoing Frank Hsieh as the 12th-term chairperson of the party.

DPP chairmanship

Tsai took office on May 20, 2008, the same day Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated as President. She said that DPP would work to deepen its while defending social justice. She criticized Ma for mentioning closer Cross-Strait relations but nothing about Taiwan's sovereignty.

Tsai questioned Ma's stand on Taiwan's sovereign status. Ma emphasized the importance of the 1992 Consensus and called Tsai an Taiwan independence . Tsai criticized Ma's government for not answering her question and labeling others.

After former President Chen Shui-bian's admittance to illegally funneling past campaign funds overseas, Tsai apologized to the public and also said that the DPP will not cover up for Chen's misdeeds. Tsai has also vowed to weed out any and all corrupt members in the party and has set up a special internal investigative committee for the task. Tsai has been impartial in light of Chen's fraud admittance.

Thaksin Shinawatra

, born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Thai businessman and , is the former , and the former leader of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party. He was in exile for 17 months until February 28, 2008, when he returned to Bangkok. During his exile, Shinawatra became a resident of London and owner of the English football club . Thaksin started his career in the , and later became a successful entrepreneur, establishing Shin Corporation and Advanced Info Service, the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand. He became one of the richest people in Thailand prior to entering politics. Thaksin entered politics by joining the Phalang Dharma Party in 1994 and later founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998. After a landslide election victory in 2001, he became Prime Minister of Thailand. At the time, the 2001 election was regarded by some observers as the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history.

Thaksin Shinawatra's re-election in 2005 had the highest voter turnout in Thai history and was noted for the marked reduction in vote-buying compared to previous elections. His main support base was the rural poor in the north, northeast, east and central part of Thailand. Thaksin's policies were partly effective at alleviating rural poverty The Shinawatra government faced frequent allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, demagogy, , conflicts of interest, acting non-diplomatically, tax evasion, the use of legal loopholes and hostility towards . Thaksin was accused of lèse-majesté, selling domestic assets to international investors and .

Independent bodies, including Amnesty International, who also expressed concern at Thaksin's human rights record. Human Rights Watch described Thaksin as "a human rights abuser of the worst kind", alleging that he participated in and presided over a violent campaign against drugs. After the coup, the military investigated the campaign but found that Thaksin had not been directly involved with any of these killings. The led by Sondhi Limthongkul and his People's Alliance for Democracy led to a decline in his popularity among Bangkok residents. He was also subject to several purported assassination attempts during that period.

On 19 September 2006, a military junta known as the overthrew Thaksin's government in a while he was attending a meeting in New York. His diplomatic passport was revoked after the CNS accused him of engaging in political activities. Many pro-Thaksin websites and radio stations were also blocked or shut down. A junta-appointed panel dissolved the Thai Rak Thai party and banned Thaksin and the TRT's executive team of 111 politicians from engaging in politics for 5 years. The junta also appointed an Assets Examination Committee that froze Thaksin's bank accounts, claiming that he had become unusually wealthy during his term in government and demanded that he return to Thailand to face charges of corruption.
The deposed Thai Prime Minister returned to Thailand from 17 months of exile abroad on February 28 2008, after his proxy-party PPP had won the open elections, to fight corruption charges..

On 10 August 2008, Thaksin and his wife Pojaman were scheduled to return to Thailand to face court decisions regarding income tax evasion, corruption and other unlawful conduct. Pojaman had been sentenced the week before by the Criminal Court of First Instance to three years in prison for income tax evasion. Failing to return as scheduled, the Shinawatra family is, as of 11 August 2008, residing temporarily in London. They and Thai authorities are working to establish Thaksin's status and whether he can be extradited to Thailand.

Thaksin is married to Potjaman Shinawatra, and has one son, and two daughters, Pintongtha and Peathongtarn.

Family background

Thaksin's great-grandfather Seng Sae Khu was a Hakka Chinese immigrant from Meizhou, Guangdong who arrived in Siam in the 1860s and settled in Chiang Mai in 1908. His eldest son, Chiang Sae Khu, was born in Chanthaburi in 1890 and married a Thai woman, called Saeng Somna. Chiang's eldest son, Sak, adopted the Thai surname Shinawatra in 1938 because of the country's anti-Chinese movement and the rest of the family also adopted it.

Thaksin's father, Lert, was born in Chiang Mai in 1919 and married Yindi Ramingwong. In 1968, Lert Shinawatra entered politics and became an MP for Chiang Mai and deputy leader of the now-defunct Liberal party. Lert Shinawatra quit politics in 1976.

Thaksin's great-grandfather Seng Sae Khu made his fortune through tax farming. The Khu/Shinawatra later founded Shinawatra Silks and then by moving into finance, construction and property development. Lert Shinawatra opened a coffee shop, grew oranges and flowers in 's San Kamphaeng district, and opened two movie theatres, a gas station, and a car and motorcycle dealership. By the time Thaksin was born, the Shinawatra family was one of the richest and most influential families in Chiang Mai.

Early life

Thaksin was born in , Chiang Mai. Thaksin grew up in the village of Sankamphaeng until he was 15, after which he moved to Chiang Mai city to study at Montfort College. At 16, he helped run one of his father's cinemas.

Police career

Thaksin attended the 10th class of the . He then attended the Thai Police Cadet Academy and upon graduation, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department in 1973. He later went on to obtain a master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States, in 1975. In 1978 he received a doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas with a dissertation on "An Analysis of the Relationship Between the Criminal Justice Educational Process and the Attitude of the Student Toward the Rule of Law." Returning to Thailand, he reached the position of Deputy Superintendent of the Policy and Planning Sub-division, General Staff Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau. He married , the daughter of a police general, in 1980.

Business career

Early successes and failures

Thaksin and his wife ventured into several businesses while Thaksin was still in the police force. These included opening a silk shop, opening a movie theater, and developing an apartment building. All of these ventures were failures, and left him over 50 million Baht in debt. He established ICSI in 1982 and using his police contacts leased computers to government agencies and was a modest success. However, later ventures in security systems and public bus radio services were failures. In April 1986, he founded Advanced Info Service , which started off as a computer rental business.

In 1987, after resigning from the police force, he marketed a Thai romance drama called "Baan Sai Thong", which became a popular success in theaters. In 1988 he joined with Pacific Telesis to operate and market the PacLink pager service, which was a modest success, although Thaksin later sold out his stake in PacLink to establish his own paging company. In 1989 Thaksin launched IBC, a cable television company, which lost money and was later merged with the CP Group's UTV. In 1989, Thaksin established a data networking service, Shinawatra DataCom, which was a failure. Thaksin quit the police force in 1987, having ascended to the rank of a Lieutenant-Colonel.

Advance Info Service and subsequent ventures

In October 1990, Advanced Info Service launched analog 900 mobile phone services after receiving a 20 year concession from the in March and later being the first company allowed to operate on the GSM 900 frequency. The mobile phone boom in Thailand was just beginning, with Total Access Communications receiving a concession one month later to the GSM 1800 frequency. AIS grew rapidly and was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in November 1991. It established a network in 1994 and eventually became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.

The Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group was founded in 1987 and listed in The Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1990.

In 1990, Thaksin founded Shinawatra Satellite, which has developed and operated a total of four Thaicom communications satellites.

In 1999, the Shinawatra family spent approximately 1 billion baht establishing Shinawatra University in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district. The private university offered international programs in engineering, architecture, and business management. After the 2006 military coup, half of the junior students dropped out, fearing repercussions in the job market. As of 2007, the University had an endowment of 300 million baht.

In 2000, Thaksin acquired the ailing television station from the Crown Property Bureau, Nation Multimedia Group, and Siam Commercial Bank.

Entry into politics

Political debut as Foreign Minister in the first Chuan government

Thaksin entered politics in late 1994 through Chamlong Srimuang, who had just reclaimed the position of Palang Dharma Party leader from Boonchu Rojanastien. In a subsequent purge of Boonchu-affiliated PDP Cabinet ministers, Thaksin was appointed Foreign Minister in December 1994, replacing Prasong Soonsiri. Years later, in 2006 after Thaksin was removed from power, his old sponsor Chamlong Srimuang expressed multiple regrets at getting "such a corrupt person" into politics.
The PDP soon withdrew from the government over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal, causing the government of Chuan Leekpai to collapse.

PDP leader and Deputy Prime Minister in the Banharn government

Chamlong, strongly criticized for mishandling internal PDP politics in the last days of the Chuan-government, retired from politics and hand-picked Thaksin as new PDP leader. Thaksin ran for election for the first time for the constitutional tribunal and lost.

Thaksin joined the government of Banharn Silpa-Archa and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Bangkok traffic. In May 1996, Thaksin and four other PDP ministers quit the Banharn Cabinet , prompting a Cabinet reshuffle. Many have claimed that Thaksin's move was designed to help give Chamlong Srimuang a boost in the June 1996 Bangkok Governor elections, which Chamlong returned from retirement to contest. Chamlong lost the election - he and incumbent Governor former PDP-member Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya were defeated by Bhichit Rattakul, an independent.

Chamlong's failure to buttress the PDP's failing power base in Bangkok amplified internal divisions in the PDP, particularly between Chamlong's "temple" faction and Thaksin's faction. Soon afterwards, Chamlong announced he was retiring again from politics.

Thaksin and the PDP pulled out of the Banharn-government in August 1996. In a subsequent no-confidence debate, the PDP gave evidence against the Banharn government. Soon afterwards, Banharn dissolved Parliament in September 1996.

Fall of the PDP

Thaksin announced that he would not run in the subsequent November 1996 elections, but would remain as leader of the PDP. Some speculated that Thaksin wanted to resign from the party leadership. The PDP suffered a fatal defeat in the elections, winning only 1 seat in Parliament. The PDP soon imploded, with most members resigning.

Although there was much controversy about the root causes of the fall of the PDP, most agree that it was due to internal divisions in the party. Particularly divisive were conflicts between the Chamlong "temple" faction and subsequent generations of outsiders, including Thaksin.

Deputy Prime Minister in the Chavalit government

On 15 August 1997, Thaksin became Deputy Prime Minister in Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's government. This occurred soon after the Thai Baht was floated and devalued in 2 July 1997, sparking the Asian Financial Crisis. Thaksin held this position for only 3 months, leaving on November 14 after Chavalit resigned.

During a censure debate on 27 September 1997, Democrat Suthep Thaugsuban accused Thaksin of profiting on insider information about the government's decision to float the Baht. However, the subsequent Democrat party led government did not investigate the accusations.

Formation of the Thai Rak Thai Party and the 2001 elections

Thaksin founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 along with Somkid Jatusripitak, PDP ally Sudarat Keyuraphan, Purachai Piumsombun, and 19 others.

With a populist platform often attributed to , TRT promised universal access to healthcare, a 3-year debt moratorium for farmers, and 1 million THB locally-managed development funds for all Thai villages.

After Prime Minister Chuan dissolved parliament in November 2000, TRT won a sweeping victory in the , the first election held under the Constitution of 1997. At the time, some academics called the 2001 election the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history.

Prime Minister of Thailand

As Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra initiated many distinctive policies affecting the economy, public health, education, energy, drugs and international relations. He gained two landslide re-election victories. Public sector debt fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006. Foreign exchange reserves doubled from US$30 billion in 2001 to US$64 billion in 2006.

Critics claim that Thaksinomics is little more than a re-branded as something new and revolutionary. Economists from the Thailand Development Research Institute argue that other factors, such as a revival in export demand, were the primary cause behind the economy's recovery. Others claimed that the policies got the rural poor "hooked on Thaksin's hand-outs."

Thaksin helped bring part of Thailand's massive underground lottery system into the legal fold by operating a successful numbers game run by the Government Lottery Office. Lottery sales of approx. 70 billion THB are used for social projects, including the "One District, One Scholarship" program which provided one student from a low-income family in each district with a scholarship to study overseas. Soon after Thaksin was deposed, the junta banned the lottery, claiming it was a social vice. This lured the poor away from work into gambling addiction. In addition, the Supreme Court ruled that the Cabinet did not have the right to introduce the lottery without due political process. The scholarship program was also stopped. The military junta also claimed that Thaksin's government "mischievously spent the proceeds in any way it saw fit".

The Thaksin government reduced the state's control of the media by privatizing MCOT, a large television and radio broadcaster.

After the 2006 coup, many of Thaksin's economic policies were stopped, the OTOP program was rebranded, the Government Lottery Office's program was deemed illegal, and the government nationalized several media outlets and energy companies.

Healthcare policies

Thaksin initiated two key healthcare policies: subsidized universal health care and low-cost universal access to anti-retroviral HIV medication . Thaksin's 30-baht/visit universal healthcare program won the applause of the general public, but was criticized by many doctors and officials. Prior to the program's introduction, a large portion of the population had no health insurance and limited access to healthcare. The program helped increase access to healthcare from 76% of the population to 96% of the population. The program also increased workloads for healthcare employees, and caused many doctors to switch to higher paying careers. It has been criticized for being underfunded. The program led some hospitals to seek alternative sources of income, leading to a boom in the medical tourism industry, with 1.3 million foreign patients earning Thailand 33 billion THB in 2005.

Post-coup Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla called the 30-baht program a "marketing gimmick" and claimed that the government would "very soon" stop charging patients any fees for visits to state hospitals.

During the Thaksin government, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS as well as the overall noticeably declined. Although successful in expanding access to HIV medication, there have been concerns that a free trade agreement with the US could endanger Thailand's ability to produce generic HIV treatments.

Thaksin allowed the estimated 2.3 million migrant workers in Thailand to register and seek health coverage under the Thai national healthcare system. They were also eligible for work permits at the end of the registration period, entitling them to full labor protection. Labour Group Committee Pongsak Plengsaeng criticized the move, claiming that it would lead to unemployment amongst Thais.

Anti-drug policies

Thaksin initiated several highly controversial policies to counter a boom in the Thai drug market, particularly in methamphetamine. After earlier anti-drug policies like border blocking , public education, sports, and promoting peer pressure against drug use proved ineffective, Thaksin launched a multi-pronged suppression campaign that aimed to eradicate methamphetamine use in 3 months. The policy consisted of changing the punishment policy for drug addicts, setting provincial arrest and seizure targets, awarding government officials for achieving targets, targeting dealers, and "ruthless" implementation.

In the first three months, the Human Rights Watch reports that 2,275 people were killed. The Government claimed that only around 50 of the deaths were at the hands of the police. Human rights critics say a large number were . The government went out of its way to publicize the campaign, through daily announcements of arrest, seizure, and death statistics.

According to the Narcotics Control Board, the policy was effective in reducing drug consumption, especially in schools.

King Bhumibol, in his 2003 birthday speech, supported Thaksin's anti-drugs approach, although he did request the commander of the police to categorize the deaths between those killed by police and those killed by fellow drug dealers. Police Commander Sant Sarutanond reopened investigations into the deaths, and again found that few of the deaths were at the hands of the police. Thaksins anti-drug approach was widely criticized by international community. Thaksin requested that the UN Commission on Human Rights send a special envoy to evaluate the situation, but said in an interview, "The United Nations is not my father. I am not worried about any UN visit to Thailand on this issue."

After the 2006 coup, the military junta ordered another investigation into the anti-drug campaign. Former Attorney General Kanit Na Nakhon chaired the special investigative committee. "The special committee will be tasked with an investigation to find out the truth about the deaths as well as to identify remedial measures for their relatives," said Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjittha. The committee found that as many as 1400 of the 2500 killed had no link to drugs. However, while giving the opinion that orders to kill came from the top, the panel failed to establish sufficient evidence to charge Thaksin directly with the murders.

reported on November 27, 2007:
"''Of 2,500 deaths in the government's war on drugs in 2003, a fact-finding panel has found that more than half was not involved in drug at all. At a brainstorming session, a representative from the Office of Narcotics Control Board Tuesday disclosed that as many as 1,400 people were killed and labeled as drug suspects despite the fact that they had no link to drugs. ... Senior public prosecutor Kunlapon Ponlawan said it was not difficult to investigate extra-judicial killings carried out by police officers as the trigger-pullers usually confessed.''"

Corruption

Transparency International reported that Thailand's reputation for transparency among business executives improved during the years of the Thaksin government. In 2001, Thailand's Corruption Perceptions Index was 3.2 , whereas in 2005, the CPI was 3.8 .
However the a study of Worldwide Governance Indicators by World Bank gave lower score on Control of Corruption during 2002-2005, Thaksin's government, compared to 1998-2000 of earlier government.
Thaksin himself has consistently denied any wrongdoing by himself or his Thai Rak Thai party.

Education policies

Thaksin implemented a major series of educational reforms during his government. Chief among those reforms was school decentralization, as mandated by the 1997 People's Constitution.
The policy was designed to delegated school management from the over-centralized and bureaucratized Ministry of Education to Tambon Administrative Organizations . The plan met with massive widespread opposition from Thailand's 700,000 teachers, who would be deprived of their status as civil servants. There was also widespread fear from teachers that TAOs lack the skills and capabilities required to manage schools. In the face of massive teacher protests and several threats of school closure, Thaksin compromised and gave teachers whose schools were transferred to TAO management two years to transfer to other schools.

Other reforms included learning reform and related curricular decentralization, mostly through greater use of holistic education and less use of rote learning.

To increase access to universities for lower income people, Thaksin initiated the Student Loan Fund and Income Contingency Loan programs. The ICL granted loans regardless of financial status, and required recipients to start repayments when their salaries reach 16,000 Baht a month, with an interest rate equivalent to inflation from the day the loan was granted. The SLF had an eligibility limit on family income but carried interest of 1%, starting one year after graduation. The programs were merged and the income limit modified after Thaksin's government was overthrown.

Thaksin also initiated the controversial "One District, One Dream School" project, aimed at developing the quality of schools to ensure that every district has at least one high-quality school. The project was criticized, with some claiming that the only beneficiaries were Thaksin and companies selling computers and educational equipment. Many schools also fell deeply into debt in implementing the project, receiving less than adequate financial support from the central government.

In addition, Thaksin altered the state university entrance system. Whereas the former system relied exclusively on a series of nationally standardized exams, Thaksin pushed for a greater emphasis on senior high-school grades, claiming this would focus students on classroom learning rather than private entrance exam tutoring.

Thaksin initiated the Income Contingency Loan program to increase access to higher education. Under the program, needy students may secure a loan to support their studies from vocational to university levels. Thai banks had traditionally not given education loans. Thaksin made Thailand one of the first supporters of Nicholas Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child project, with the Thai Ministry of Education committing to purchase 600,000 units. However, the military junta later cancelled the project.

Energy policies

:''See also:Policies of the Thaksin government and Energy Industry Liberalization and Privatization ''

In energy policy, the Thaksin government continued the Chuan Leekpai government's privatization agenda, but with important changes. Whereas the Chuan government's post-Asian financial crisis policies sought economic efficiency through industry fragmentation and wholesale competition, Thaksin's policies aimed to create national champions that could reliably support stronger economic growth and become important players in regional energy markets. Thaksin also initiated a policy to encourage renewable energy and energy conservation. Many Thaksin-era energy policies were reversed following the 2006 coup.

South Thailand insurgency

A resurgence in violence began in 2001 in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand which all have a Muslim, ethnic Malay majority. There is much controversy about the causes of this escalation of the decades long insurgency. Attacks after 2001 concentrated on police, the military, and schools, but civilians have also been targets. Thaksin has been widely criticized for his management of the situation, in particular the storming of the Krue Se Mosque, the deaths of civilian protesters at Tak Bai in Army custody, and the unsolved kidnapping of Muslim-lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit.

In October 2004, 84 Muslim human rights protesters were killed at Tak Bai when the Army broke up a peaceful protest. The many detainees were forced at gunpoint to lie prone in Army trucks, stacked like cordwood. The trucks were delayed from moving to the detainment area for hours. Many detainees suffocated to death due to gross mishandling by the military. After the 2006 coup, the Army dropped all charges and investigations into Army misconduct related to the Tak Bai incident. Thaksin announced an escalation of military and police activity in the region. In July 2005, Thaksin enacted an Emergency Decree to manage the three troubled provinces. Several human rights organizations expressed their concerns that the decree might be used to violate civil liberties.

In March 2005, Thaksin established the National Reconciliation Commission, chaired by former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to oversee efforts to bring peace to the troubled South. In its final report released in June 2006, the commission proposed introducing and making an official language in the region. The Thaksin administration assigned a government committee to study the report, while Muslims urged the government to act faster in implementing the proposals.

Administrative reform

Ministerial restructuring

One of the most visible of Thaksin's administrative reforms was the restructuring of government department and ministries, labeled the "big bang." It was hailed as a "historic breakthrough" and "the first major reorganization of ministries since King Chulalongkorn set up Thailand’s modern system of departmental government in 1897." Such a restructuring had been studied for years as a means of undermining the perceived rigidities and inertia of the old system, but was never implemented until the Thaksin government.

The restructuring was designed to streamline the bureaucracy and focus it on performance and results. New ministries were carved out in Social and Human Security Development, Tourism and Sports, Natural Resources and Environment, Information and Communication Technology, and Culture.

CEO-governors

Thaksin transformed the role of provincial governors from ceremonial supervisors of ministry officials to active managers of government policy. Historically, central government ministries operated in the provinces through field offices headed by senior officials, who reported back to Bangkok. The Ministry of Interior appointed provincial governors whose role was largely ceremonial.

A key component of Thaksin's administrative reform policy, "CEO-governors" epitomized Thaksin's "transformation of the operating style of the traditional bureaucracy into a more results-oriented instrument that would be responsive." Piloted in 2001 and introduced in all provinces in October 2003, CEO-governors were put in charge of planning and coordinating provincial development and became accountable for overall provincial affairs. The "CEO governors" were assisted by "provincial CFOs" from the Ministry of Finance who reported directly to each governor. The CEO-Governors were authorized to raise funds by issuing bonds and were given an intensive training course. After the coup, the junta reverted the role of governors.

Foreign policies

Thaksin was fiercely attacked for tasking diplomats with supporting domestic economic programs, e.g., promoting OTOP products. Surapong Jayanama, former ambassador to Vietnam claiming that Thaksin's policies were "demeaning" and would do little to enhance Thailand's international stature.

Thaksin also initiated negotiations for several free trade agreements with China, Australia, Bahrain, India, and the US. This policy was also criticized, with claims that high-cost Thai industries could be wiped out.

Thailand joined George W. Bush's multinational coalition in the invasion of Iraq, sending a 423-strong humanitarian contingent. It withdrew its troops on 10 September 2004. Two Thai soldiers died in Iraq in an insurgent attack.

Thaksin has also announced that Thailand would forsake foreign aid, and work with donor countries to assist in the development of neighbors in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Thaksin has also been attacked by influential former diplomats for acting undiplomatically with foreign leaders. Kasit Pirom, former Thai ambassador to Japan and the United States, noted at an anti-Thaksin rally "When Khun Thaksin went to the United Nations to attend a joint UN- session, he did not behave properly when addressing the session, which was co-chaired by the UN secretary-general and the Malaysian premier. In his address Thaksin did not mention the name of the Malaysian premier". Noted that Kasit Pirom is a member and has a long time close tie with Democratic Party, a major political party opposing Thaksin as it lost few elections to Thai Rak Thai Party.

However, he established close, friendly ties with the Burmese dictatorship, including extending the neighboring country a Bt. 4 billion credit line so it could conclude a satellite telecom deal with his family business.
Noted that during the time Thaksin was in his office as Prime Minister, he was ambitious to put Thailand as region leader. He proposed, and received with welcome from other South East Asian countries, economic treaty at sub-region level, to promote economic, technology and infra-structure development. Thai government has provided support funding and economic assistance program to her neighbouring country such as Laos, Cambodia.

Thaksin has also been attacked for his support of Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai's failed campaign to become UN Secretary General.

2005 re-election campaign

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in the , sweeping 374 out of 500 seats in Parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

After more than 30 years of planning and debate, the Thaksin government completed the construction of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airport was officially opened a week after the overthrew of the government. It is one of the world's largest airports.

Some members of Thaksin's government were accused of , the case is still under investigation.

Other criticisms

There have also been complaints that Thaksin appointed relatives to senior positions in the civil service and independent commissions, for example by elevating his cousin, General Chaiyasit Shinawatra, to Army commander-in-chief.
In August 2002, he was promoted from Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Development Command to become Deputy Army Chief. Both General Chaiyasit and Defense Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh denied charges of nepotism at the time. General Chaiyasit replaced General Somthad Attanan as Army commander-in-chief. However, General Chaiyasit was replaced by General Prawit Wongsuwan in August 2004, after only a year in office. His replacement was in response to an escalation of . Prawit was succeeded by Sonthi Boonyaratglin in 2005.

Thaksin was also accused of interference after the Senate appointed Wisut Montriwat to the position of Auditor General, replacing Jaruvan Maintaka.

Respected former Thai ambassador to the UN Asda Jayanama, in an anti-Thaksin rally, claimed that Thaksin's two state visits to India were made in order to negotiate a satellite deal for Thaksin's family-owned Shin Corporation. The accusation was countered by Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, who attended the state visits with Thaksin.

Thaksin's government has been accused of exerting political influence in its .

Thaksin has also been accused of being superstitious.

Thaksin often faced harsh comparisons. Social critic Prawase Wasi compared him to AIDS, Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and Senator Banjerd Singkaneti compared him to Hitler, Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul compared him to Saddam Hussein, and the newspaper '''' compared him to Pol Pot.

Thaksin has been engaged in a series of lawsuits brought by American businessman William L Monson regarding a cable-television joint venture the two partnered in during the 1980s.

Political crisis of 2005-2006

Accusations by Sondhi Limthongkul

The political crisis was catalyzed by several accusations published by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin supporter. These included accusations that Thaksin:

*Restricted press freedom by suing Sondhi after Sondhi printed a sermon by a
*Masterminded the desecration of the shrine

Sale of Shin Corporation

On January 23, 2006, the Shinawatra family sold their entire stake in Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings. The Shinawatra and Damapong families netted about 73 billion baht tax-free from the sale, using a regulation that made individuals who sell shares on the exempt from capital gains tax.

The transaction made the Prime Minister the target of accusations that he was selling an asset of national importance to a foreign entity, and hence selling out his nation.

Anti-Thaksin rallies

Thaksin faced pressure to resign following the sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings.

Anti-Thaksin protestors, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy , consisted mainly of middle-class Bangkokians. They also included prominent social figures.

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul was a prominent leader of the protests. These were joined by academics, students, and the middle class.

House dissolution and the April 2006 Legislative Election

House dissolution

Thaksin announced a on 24 February 2006. General elections were scheduled for 2 April.

Thaksin was criticized for calling the snap elections. In an editorial, ''The Nation'' noted that the election "fails to take into consideration a major fallacy of the concept , particularly in a less-developed democracy like ours, in which the impoverished, poorly informed masses are easily manipulated by people of his ilk. And Thaksin's manipulation has been well documented.."

Election results

Thaksin's TRT Party won a victory in the boycotted elections, with 462 seats in Parliament with ratio of voters to no-voters of 16-10.

However, by-elections were needed for 40 TRT candidates who failed to win the minimum required 20% in an uncontested vote. The Democrat Party refused to contest the by-elections Chamlong Srimuang declared that the PAD would ignore the elections and "go on rallying until Thaksin resigns and Thailand gets a royally-appointed prime minister".

By-elections

Boycotted by-elections in 40 constituencies on 25 April resulted in the TRT winning 25 of the constituencies and losing in 2 constituencies. Yet another round of by-elections on 29 April was scheduled for 13 constituencies. The Thai Rak Thai Party was later accused of and later found guilty of hiring smaller parties to contest the election, while the Democrat Party was later accused of hiring smaller parties to not contest the election. According to the , uncontested election winners must win at least 20% of registered voters. These by-elections were suspended by the Constitution Court while it deliberated whether or not to disqualify the elections.

Invalidation of the April elections

In 8 May 2006, the ruled 8-6 to invalidate the April elections based on the awkward positioning of voting booths. The ruling was called a landmark case in judicial activism. The Democrat Party, which had boycotted the April elections, said they were now ready to contest an October election.

A new election was ordered, later set for . The Court found the Election Commissioners guilty of malfeance in their management of the April election and jailed them. The was cancelled when the .

After the April 2006 election

Break from politics

Thaksin announced on April 4, 2006 that he would not accept the post of Prime Minister after the Parliament reconvenes, but would continue as Caretaker Prime Minister until then.

He then delegated his functions to Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, moved out of Government House, and went on vacation.

September 2006 Coup

In the evening of 19 September 2006, while Thaksin was visiting New York City, USA to attend a United Nations summit and to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations, the army took control of Bangkok. Inside Government House, close to 50 soldiers ordered approximately 220 policemen in the complex to lay down their weapons. Troops also surrounded the Thaicom satellite receiving station and state-run television station Channel 11. By the morning of 20 September, tanks and military vehicles armed with machine guns were stationed at Government House, the Royal Plaza and government units along Rajdamnoen Avenue.

Troops participating in the coup were from the 1st and 3rd Army Regions, the Internal Security Operations Command, the Special Warfare Centre and Army units in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri provinces and sections of the Navy. According to coup leader Army Commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the coup leaders had arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya. Troops who refused to take part in the coup took mainly a neutral stance and did nothing to prevent the coup.

The military, originally calling itself the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarch , issued a statement citing the government's alleged ''lèse majesté'', corruption, interference with state agencies, and creation of social divisions as reasons for the coup. It declared the king of Thailand the head of state, and said elections will be held soon to return democracy to the country. Shinawatra later arrived in , where he has family and stayed at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Later he lived in Woking, Surrey.

Thai Rak Thai party

Many Thai Rak Thai party members were reported to have resigned from the party in the aftermath of the coup. These included Somsak Thepsuthin and 100 members of the Wang Nam Yom faction. It was not clear whether Suriya Jungrungreangkit, another influential member of the faction would also resign. Sonthaya Kunplome also was reported to have led 20 members of the Chonburi faction in resigning from the party. Fear that the party would be dissolved by the junta and its members banned from politics fueled the defections.

On 2 October 2006 Thaksin Shinawatra and his former deputy Somkid Jatusipitak resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party. Chaturon Chaisang took over as party head.

Meanwhile, court cases against the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties regarding election fraud in the April 2006 elections continued.

2006 Bangkok New Year's Eve bombings

On 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2007, several bombs exploded in Bangkok. Thaksin later went on CNN to deny any involvement in the bombings.

Thaksin was assaulted while eating at a Thai restaurant in London. A Thai woman threw a glass at him - it was not known whether he was injured.

His diplomatic passport was revoked in 31 December 2006 after the junta accused him of engaging in political activities while in exile. Thai embassies were ordered not to facilitate his travels.

In a subsequent trip to Russia to receive an honorary degree in science from the Plehanov Academy of Economics, Thaksin's passport and suitcase were stolen when he was eating at a McDonalds. The Thai Embassy in Moscow was willing to provide him a new travel document.

In January 2007, the Financial Institutions Development Fund complied with an Assets Examination Committee request to file a charge against Thaksin and his wife over their purchase of four 772 million baht plots of land from the FIDF in 2003. The charge was based on alleged violation of Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which specificies that government officials and their spouses are prohibited from entering into or having interests in contracts made with state agencies under their authorisation. As in truth, this particular law, has been proposed before the Thaksin's regime, by the Democrats.

The Assets Examination Committee also accused Thaksin of issuing an unlawful cabinet resolution approving the spending of state funds to buy rubber saplings. However, it did not accuse him of corruption.

In March 2007, the Office of the Attorney-General charged Thaksin's wife and brother-in-law of conspiring to evade taxes of 546 million baht in a 1997 transfer of Shin Corp shares.

The Assets Examination Committee rules that Thaksiin was guilty of malfeasance for obstructing competition by passing an executive decree that imposed an excise tax for telecom operators. Thaksin's Cabinet approved an executive decree in 2003 that forced telecom operators to pay an excise tax of 10% on revenues for mobile phone operations, and 2% for fixed-line operations.

Purchase of Manchester City Football Club

While Prime Minister, Thaksin offered to buy the club from owner Mohamed al-Fayed. After al-Fayed rebuffed his offer for the club, Thaksin unsuccessfully bid to buy fellow Premiership club . It is argued that Thaksin is using this sudden football interest as a publicity stunt in response to his political problems.

On June 21 2007 Thaksin Shinawatra lodged, and had accepted, an ?81.6 million bid for another Premiership club, . On 6 July he completed purchase of the required 75% of the club's shares to take the company off the Stock Exchange and became Chairman of the club. Sven-G?ran Eriksson was appointed the new club manager.

Manchester City supporters nicknamed him Frank, after the singer Frank Sinatra. However, City supporters turned against their new chairman after it appeared he was ready to fire manager Sven-G?ran Eriksson, despite him taking City to their joint second highest finishing position in the Premier League since it began in 1992, with their highest being eigthth in the season, and also finishing ninth in the season. Eriksson also ensured City qualification for the UEFA Cup via the UEFA Fair Play ranking, ending the club's five year absence from competitions. Eriksson was ultimately released by Manchester City on June 2 2008. Most supporters, however, were pleased with the choice of Eriksson's replacement, Mark Hughes.

Apparently in fear of bringing embarrassment to the Club following his skipping of bail from Thai courts, Thaksin decided to offer to step down from his position on August 23 2008. On 1 September 2008 it was reported that Shinawatra had agreed to sell Manchester City to the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment . It was also reported that, if the deal is completed, Shinawatra will become honorary president of the club "without any administrative responsibilities". On 21 September 2008, the relevant documents were signed to completed the take-over, reducing Thaksin's share in the club to ten percent.

Dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party

On 30 May 2007, the Constitutional Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and banned over 100 of its executives, including Thaksin, from politics for 5 years. The ruling was based on charges that two Thai Rak Thai party executives bribed a smaller party to stand in the . It is also noted that the Democrat party, under the same type of accusation, charges were lifted. Furthermore, article 309 of the 2007's constitution has given full pardon towards any 'Wrong' action taken by the Junta.

Return to Thailand

In May 2007, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thaksin was free to return to Thailand, and he would personally guarantee Thaksin's safety, heavily conflicting Sonthi's statements. In January 2008 Thaksin's wife Pojaman Shinawatra was arrested on arrival at Bangkok, but was released on bail of 5m baht after appearing at the Supreme Court with order not to leave the country. She was set to be tried for alleged violation of stock-trading and land sale laws, but only two relatively minor cases had been successfully filed in court against her.

In February 2008 Thaksin arrived in Bangkok, aboard a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong, after 17 months in exile. He was arrested on arrival, but was soon was released by the Supreme Court, on bail. Thaksin stated that "he would not re-enter politics and wished to focus on his football interests." In March Thaksin pleaded not guilty before chief judge Thongloh Chom-ngam, Supreme Court in one of his 2 criminal corruption cases. Thaksin was excused to appear on April 29 and at every hearing. The court ordered him to report back on April 11 after granting his monthlong travel to England.

In June the Supreme Court denied Thaksin's request to travel to China and Britain, since his corruption case was set for trial, saying there were not enough reasons for him to travel. He was ordered to surrender his passport after arraignment. In July the Court assumed jurisdiction over the fourth corruption charge against Thaksin. It was alleged that he arranged soft loans to Burma to buy telecoms equipment from his Shin Corp. conglomerates, causing the Thai state-owned bank loss of $20 million. The court also agreed to hear allegations that Thaksin, his former cabinet, and three members of the current government, broke anti-gambling laws by setting up a new state lottery in 2003.

Thaksin's wife Pojaman Shinawatra, was found guilty on July 31, and sentenced to three years imprisonment, but was released on $149,000 bail. Bangkok Criminal Court Judge Pramote Pipatpramote also convicted her adopted brother Bhanapot Damapong, and her secretary: "The three defendants have high economic and social status. But, they were working together to avoid taxes, even though the taxes amounted to little compared to their assets."

Request for asylum in Britain

On August 10, 2008, Thaksin and his wife Potjaman Shinawatra flew to London from Beijing, where they had been attending the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. In doing so he violated the terms of his bail. Thaksin said that it was his wish to return to Thailand someday, but claimed it was not currently safe enough for him and his family, not specifying who exactly is threatening his life. Thaksin announced his intention to seek political asylum in . His 3 children had reportedly flown ahead to Britain. Meanwhile, Thailand's Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for both Thaksin and his wife for jumping bail. When Thaksin justified his escape by claiming the Thai judiciary was being meddled with by his political enemies, Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsrang Niempradit and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva accused Thaksin of "hurting" Thailand and damaging its reputation: "His Majesty the King recognizes highly the importance of the judiciary … The public should follow him."
The exact meaning or connotation of the term "hurting" has not been exactly specified.

2nd arrest warrant

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions issued a 2nd arrest warrant on September 16, 2008, against fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra on the Exim Bank corruption case . It also ordered suspension of the trial since only his lawyers appeared in court.

However, on September 17, Chief Justice Thonglor Chom-ngarm and the judges unanimously postponed the reading of the verdict to October 21 at 2 pm, and issued the fresh arrest warrant for Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman.

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