Srettha Thavisin

Srettha Thavisin (เศรษฐา ทวีสิน,, ; born 15 February 1962), nicknamed Nid (นิด, , ), is a Thai businessman and politician serving as the prime minister of Thailand since 22 August 2023.

He was previously the chief executive and president of Sansiri.

Srettha, originally from Bangkok, pursued a degree in Civil Engineering after high school.

He furthered his education in the United States, where he obtained Master's degree in business administration.

Following his academic pursuits, he embarked on a professional journey that started with a four-year tenure as an assistant product manager.

Srettha Thavisin, born on February 15, 1962, in Bangkok, Thailand, is the son of Captain Amnuay Thavisin and Chodchoi Jutrakul.

His family's lineage connects to five notable Thai Chinese business dynasties: Yip in Tsoi, Chakkapak, Jutrakul, Lamsam, and Buranasiri.

Srettha's educational journey began at the Prasarnmit Demonstration School of Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok.

Pursuing higher education, he first obtained a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Chulalongkorn University, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

He further advanced his academic credentials by earning a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Finance, from Claremont Graduate University.

Srettha began his professional journey at Procter & Gamble as an assistant product manager, a role he held for four years after graduating from Claremont Graduate University in 1986.

His entrepreneurial venture took off in 1988 when he co-founded Sansiri, which emerged as one of Thailand's premier real estate developers.

His leadership steered the company to successfully develop over 400 residential projects.

In 1998, he co-founded Sansiri, a venture that propelled him to become a billionaire and a leading real estate tycoon in his country.

Under his leadership, Sansiri experienced growth, even during challenging periods such as the pandemic.

This growth phase of his business career came to a close when he decided to transition into politics, a move that involved transferring all his shares in the company.

This decision marked a significant shift from his business endeavors to a focus on political engagement.

The year 2013 marked a notable event in Thailand's economic development with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra inaugurating the Thailand 2020: Thailand’s New Step to the World Expo at the Chaeng Watthana government complex on March 12.

The expo showcased the government's proposed investments totaling 2 trillion baht.

Srettha, having inspected a nearby residential project, visited the expo and recommended his Sansiri colleagues to do the same, recognising its potential influence on the real estate sector.

Despite public concerns about the project's financing and potential debt implications, Srettha expressed his support.

Prior to the 2014 coup, Srettha had connections with two Thai Prime Ministers from the Shinawatra family.

In late 2022, he announced his intention to join the Pheu Thai Party and was subsequently considered one of its prime ministerial candidates.

He played a pivotal role in leading the party to form a coalition government, following an unsuccessful attempt by the Move Forward Party.

Consequently, the parliament elected him as the Prime Minister.

Notably, his coalition government included two parties that were linked to the coup in 2014.

Srettha's tenure as Prime Minister has encompassed a range of domestic and international initiatives.

On the domestic front, his administration has prioritized agricultural productivity, stimulating economic recovery, developing infrastructure, revitalizing tourism, education reforms, and implementing a digital wallet scheme that has sparked debate.

Additionally, the government has actively engaged in the electric vehicle sector, the regulation of cannabis, and gun control measures.

In the realm of international relations, Srettha's approach has been proactive in attracting foreign investments.

This includes exploratory discussions with prominent business figures like Elon Musk regarding Tesla's potential involvement in Thailand's electric vehicle industry.

His foreign policy strategy also involves navigating Thailand's stance in global conflicts and actively participating in international platforms such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Under his leadership, Thailand has demonstrated a dedication to sustainable development and addressing climate change challenges.

During his premiership, he was criticised by media and the opposition as a "puppet prime minister", under the control of the power behind the throne such as Thaksin Shinawatra, the military, and Pheu Thai Party.

In early 2019, he wrote favourably about the 2020 Expo, which paralleled his advocacy for a digital wallet scheme during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Srettha's leadership at Sansiri contributed to the company's growth even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, notable developments included his acquisition of a land parcel at the corner of Sarasin road near Lumphini Park in Bangkok.

This purchase, costing ฿3.9 million per square wah (approximately 4m²), stands as one of the most expensive land purchases in Thai history.

Additionally, in the same year, Srettha acquired a 15% stake in XSpring Capital Public Company Limited.

Due to regulations in Thai electoral laws prohibiting elected officials from owning or holding shares in companies, Srettha transferred all his shares to his daughter, Chanada Thavisin, on 8 March 2023.