, led the Pheu Thai Party before a military coup ousted her. Explore her political rise, controversies, and legacy){kind=link}
Yingluck Shinawatra (b. 1967). A Thai business executive and politician who served as the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2011 to 2014, becoming the country’s first female leader.
A member of the influential Shinawatra family, she rose to prominence through her association with her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister ousted in a 2006 coup.
Yingluck’s tenure was marked by economic policies, political turmoil, and eventual removal by a military coup. [Luce Index™ score: 72]
Early Life and Business Career
Born in Chiang Mai, Yingluck Shinawatra earned a bachelor’s degree from Chiang Mai University and a master’s from Kentucky State University. Before entering politics, she held executive roles in Shinawatra family businesses, including AIS, Thailand’s largest mobile operator, and SC Asset, a real estate firm.
Political Rise and Premiership
In 2011, Yingluck led the Pheu Thai Party to victory, campaigning on populist policies like rice subsidies and minimum wage increases. As prime minister, she faced mass protests led by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which accused her government of corruption and acting as a proxy for Thaksin. Her administration was also criticized for its handling of flood relief efforts in 2011.
In 2014, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed Yingluck from office for alleged abuse of power, followed by a military coup led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha. She was later charged with negligence over the rice subsidy scheme and fled Thailand in 2017 before a court verdict, receiving asylum in the U.K.
Legacy and Later Activities
Despite her controversial exit, Yingluck Shinawatra remains a polarizing figure in Thai politics, revered by rural supporters but opposed by the Bangkok elite and military establishment. She maintains an active presence on social media, engaging with Thai expatriates and pro-democracy movements.
Personal Life
Yingluck was married to Anusorn Amornchat, with whom she has one son. She has kept a low profile since her exile but occasionally comments on Thai politics.