Thailand Elects Real Estate Tycoon Srettha Thavisin as Next Prime Minister
Thailand recently elected Srettha Thavisin, the former CEO of Sansiri, as its next prime minister. Thavisin has a background in both real estate and cryptocurrency, making him a unique choice for the position. Here are the key points to know:
1. Thavisin’s Background: Before entering politics, Thavisin was the president and CEO of Sansiri, one of Thailand’s largest real estate developers. He was also an active investor in Thailand’s digital asset industry.
2. Election Process: Thavisin was the only candidate nominated by the Pheu Thai Party and received 482 out of 747 votes in parliament. His appointment as prime minister still needs approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
3. Crypto Connections: Thavisin resigned from Sansiri in April and sold his stake in the company. Sansiri had previously participated in a $225 million capital raise for XSpring Capital, a crypto-friendly investment management firm.
4. Airdrop Plan: One of Thavisin’s campaign promises is to reintroduce a national “airdrop” where each Thai citizen over the age of 16 will receive 10,000 Thai baht ($300). The funds can only be spent within a four-kilometer range of their homes and will be in the form of a national token, not an existing digital asset.
5. Crypto-Friendly Measures: Thailand has been actively fostering its digital asset industry, offering tax breaks for companies issuing digital investment tokens to attract investment.
Thavisin’s government is expected to assume office by the end of September. With his combined experience in real estate and cryptocurrency, it will be interesting to see how he steers Thailand’s economic growth.
Hot Take: Thailand’s New Prime Minister Blends Real Estate and Crypto
Thailand’s election of Srettha Thavisin as its next prime minister highlights the country’s growing interest in the digital asset industry. Thavisin’s background in both real estate and cryptocurrency positions him to bring a unique perspective to the role. His plans to reintroduce a national airdrop and foster crypto-friendly measures demonstrate a commitment to improving the economy and well-being of Thai citizens. As Thailand continues to embrace crypto, it will be worth watching how Thavisin’s leadership shapes the country’s economic landscape.