The Shinawatra family’s impact on Thai politics stands out as one of the most significant—and divisive—elements of the country’s 21st-century history, marked by a pattern of sweeping election victories repeatedly disrupted by judicial or military interventions.

However, the “Shin clan” political movement, which includes Thai Rak Thai, the People Power Party, and Pheu Thai, has faced a significant decline, now only third in the 2026 general election—its lowest standing since its formation. Once a dominant force with a track record of landslide victories, the movement is now struggling with diminished political influence and the emergence of formidable new competitors.

A timeline of the “Shinawatra Era” in Thai politics.

The Rise of Thaksin (1998–2006)

Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecommunications tycoon, disrupted the traditional political establishment with a platform of “pro-poor” policies known as Thaksinomics.

• 1998: Thaksin founds the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party.
• 2001: TRT wins a landslide victory. Thaksin becomes Prime Minister, introducing universal healthcare and rural microcredit.
• 2005: Thaksin becomes the first PM in Thai history to serve a full term and win a consecutive absolute majority.
• 2006 (The Turning Point): Mass “Yellow Shirt” protests erupt over allegations of corruption and tax evasion regarding the sale of his company, Shin Corp.
• September 2006: While Thaksin is at the UN in New York, the military ousts him in a coup.

Proxy Battles and the Red Shirts (2007–2010)

Despite Thaksin being in exile, his political machine remained dominant under new names.

• 2007: The People’s Power Party (PPP), a TRT successor, wins the election. Samak Sundaravej becomes PM.
• 2008: Courts remove Samak for accepting payment for a TV cooking show. His successor (and Thaksin’s brother-in-law) Somchai Wongsawat is also removed by the court shortly after.
• 2010: Pro-Thaksin “Red Shirt” protesters occupy central Bangkok. A military crackdown leads to over 90 deaths.

The Yingluck Era (2011–2014)

The family returned to direct power with Thaksin’s youngest sister, Yingluck, leading the new Pheu Thai Party.

• 2011: Yingluck Shinawatra becomes Thailand’s first female Prime Minister after another landslide win.
• 2013: Her government attempts to pass an amnesty bill that would allow Thaksin to return without jail time. This sparks massive “Blue Sky” protests.
• May 2014: After months of deadlock, the Constitutional Court removes Yingluck for abuse of power. Days later, General Prayut Chan-o-cha leads a military coup.

The Paetongtarn Era (2023–2025)

After nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, the Shinawatras made a dramatic comeback in a shifted political landscape.

• May 2023: Pheu Thai loses to the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the general election but eventually forms a coalition with former rivals (pro-military parties) to secure the premiership.
• August 2023: Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand after 15 years in exile. He is sentenced to prison but immediately moved to a hospital and later paroled.
• August 2024: Following the court-ordered removal of PM Srettha Thavisin, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra (Thaksin’s daughter) is elected Prime Minister.

Summary of Shinawatra Prime Ministers

The 2026 Election: A Historic Low

• Campaign and Outcome:
  • Pheu Thai, seeking to restore its popularity, fielded “Dr Shane” Yodchanan Wongsawat (a Shinawatra family member) as its prime ministerial candidate, campaigning with the slogan “Overhaul Thailand—Pheu Thai can do it.”
  • Unofficial results from the February 8, 2026, election indicate Pheu Thai has fallen to third place, signaling it is no longer the dominant party capable of forming a government.
• Key Factors Contributing to the Decline:
  • Rise of New Parties: The emergence of new progressive parties, such as the People’s Party, with liberal branding and strong appeal to new voters, directly challenged Pheu Thai’s base.
  • Strong Rivals: Bhumjaithai has established a solid voter base and local political power-brokers, positioning it to form a second-term government.
  • Loss of Strongholds: A major upset occurred in Chiang Mai, a long-standing Shinawatra stronghold, where Pheu Thai failed to win a single seat. The People’s Party swept six constituencies, while Kla Tham secured four in remote areas, demonstrating a significant shift in voter allegiances across urban and rural/border regions.
  • Political Instability: The repeated removal of prime ministers through legal and ethical challenges further damaged the party’s image and stability.

Pheu Thai must reflect on these successive electoral defeats, as the “Shinawatra clan” experiences a decline in political influence, while opposing parties strengthen and gain momentum. This shift in the political landscape signals a need for Pheu Thai to reassess its strategies, rebuild its grassroots support, and adapt to the changing demands of the electorate. Failure to address these challenges could further erode its standing, allowing rival parties to consolidate their power and reshape the nation’s political dynamics.

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Paramount Skydance has boosted its bid for Warner Bros Discovery by offering shareholders extra cash if the deal drags beyond 2026 and agreeing to cover Netflix’s breakup fee if Warner Bros walks away.

The move is the latest in Paramount’s ongoing battle with Netflix for the Hollywood studio’s prized film and TV assets.

The new incentives include a 25-cent-per-share “ticking fee,” worth about $650 million per quarter from early 2027 until the deal closes.

According to CNA, Paramount has not increased its $30-per-share offer, totaling $108.4 billion including debt, but pledged to fund the $2.8 billion termination fee Warner Bros would owe Netflix if their $82.7 billion merger collapses.

Both Netflix and Paramount covet Warner Bros for its blockbuster franchises, including “Game of Thrones,” “Harry Potter,” and DC Comics superheroes like Batman and Superman.

Paramount, which owns CBS, would also acquire Warner Bros’ television networks, including CNN and TNT, which are expected to spin off into a separately traded company, Discovery Global.

Paramount CEO David Ellison said, “We are making meaningful enhancements – backing this offer with billions of dollars, providing shareholders with certainty in value, a clear regulatory path, and protection against market volatility.”

The company has also raised Ellison’s personal guarantee to $43.3 billion and secured $54 billion in debt financing from Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo.

Warner Bros Board Reviews Paramount Offer

Despite the sweetened offer, analysts say Paramount may struggle to win over Warner Bros shareholders.

Ross Benes, senior analyst at Emarketer, called the move “throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks,” noting that Paramount’s best chance may come from regulatory hurdles blocking Netflix.

Activist investor Ancora Holdings, which owns roughly $200 million in Warner Bros shares, has expressed opposition to the Netflix deal and could push for Paramount if the board fails to secure a better offer, Reuters reported.

Warner Bros said its board will review the updated offer but maintains support for Netflix’s merger.

Paramount has also addressed other concerns by offering to backstop Warner Bros’ planned debt exchange and certifying compliance with US antitrust regulators.

It is in talks with regulators in the US, EU, and UK and has secured foreign investment approval in Germany.

Netflix’s $82.7 billion all-cash offer remains in place. Gaining Warner Bros’ assets could give Netflix cultural and streaming power, with nearly half a billion subscribers worldwide. A Warner Bros shareholder vote on the Netflix deal is expected by April.

Originally published on vcpost.com

In 2025, Thailand’s border and transit trade reached 1.93 trillion baht, growing 6.7%. Transit trade surged 24.4%, driven by exports like durian and hard drives, despite slower border trade. Six trade fairs are planned for 2026.

Key Points

• In 2025, border and transit trade reached 1.93 trillion baht, a 6.7% rise from the previous year, aiding the growth of the border economy. Trade with neighboring countries amounted to 894.19 billion baht, while transit trade soared by 24.4% to 1.04 trillion baht, with China as the top destination.
• Major exports included fresh durian, hard disk drives, and rubber. However, border trade slowed in the latter half of the year due to issues at the Thai-Cambodian border and Myanmar’s import restrictions. Nonetheless, robust transit trade sustained overall growth.
• Looking forward, the Department of Foreign Trade plans to host six border trade fairs across different provinces in fiscal year 2026. These events will enable entrepreneurs to showcase products, engage in business matching, and expand trade channels, further supporting border economic activity.

The Department of Foreign Trade reported that border and transit trade in 2025 totaled 1.93 trillion baht, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year and supporting continued growth in the border economy.

The department reported that trade with four neighboring countries reached 894.19 billion baht, while transit trade to third countries totaled 1.04 trillion baht. Transit trade grew by 24.4 percent, the highest on record.

China remained Thailand’s largest transit trade destination at 608 billion baht, followed by Singapore and Vietnam. Major exports included fresh durian, hard disk drives, and rubber.

The department noted that border trade slowed in the second half of the year due to the Thai–Cambodian border situation and Myanmar’s import controls. However, strong transit trade remained a key driver, allowing overall trade to maintain solid growth.

Looking ahead, the Department of Foreign Trade will organize six border trade fairs in six provinces during fiscal year 2026. These events will provide entrepreneurs with free opportunities to showcase products, participate in business matching, and expand trade channels, supporting border economic activity and strengthening alternative markets.

Source : Thailand’s Transit Trade Hits Record 1.04 Trillion Baht in 2025

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