As a successful businessman, Pol.Lt.Col.Dr.Thaksin Shinawatra cannot deny that his activities in telecommunications have made him a public figure, but increasingly it is his public work that brings him further recognition. As he puts it frankly, "My wife and I both worked darned hard to get where we are
and nowadays if I can contribute something to ordinary people, then I will."











Pol.Lt.Col.Dr.Thaksin's involvement inworking for society is not just limited to politics as he has devoted himself energetically to education, perhaps because he was once a lecturer at the Thai Police Cadet Academy, Sampran, and has been invited to speak on technological developments at numerous government and academic institutions. He is also a member of the university boards at Kasetsart University, Ramkamhaeng University, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Srinakarinwirot University, Suranaree Technical University and Chiang Mai University and is a Member of the Advisory Council of the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Chulalongkorn University.

"I want to impart knowledge through education. I love teaching, and coming from the rural areas myself, I feel I want to give something to those without opportunity. I believe not everyone has an equal chance in life but certainly education can help us to better ourselves. With a good education and decent advice, people have the chance to grow and develop."

Pol.Lt.Col.Dr.Thaksin's pet project is the Thaicom Foundation. It is a joint operation between Shinawatra Satellite and the Non-Formal Education Department of the Ministry of Education to introduce satellite education to young people living in remote rural areas who have no opportunity to study past sixth grade.

If the project meets its target and the educational equality that Pol.Lt.Col.Dr. Thaksin wants becomes a reality, then village children will have the chance to grow and develop.

Besides the role he plays in society through education, Pol.Lt.Col.Dr.Thaksin has championed a vision of Thailand for the next century. As president of the Thai Government Scholarship Students Association he has encouraged the nation's intelligentsia to study and exchange ideas on their vision of Thailand's future. This has covered developments in politics, government and law; economics, commerce, agriculture and industry; education, society, culture and religion; public health, traffic and transportation, science, technology, the environment, telecommunications, energy and human resources.