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Thailand PM’s family sells stake in Shin Corp.
MUMBAI: Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s family has sold its 49.6 per cent stake in the telecom company Shin Corp. to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.
In its statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Shin Corp. said Pintongta Shinawatra, Bhanapot Damapong, Phantongtae Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra and Busaba Damapong had sold their shares in Shin Corp. to Temasek Holdings.
Founded by Shinawatra in 1990, Shin Corp. controls Shin Satellite which owns Thaicom, country’s most prominent mobile phone network Advance Info Service (AIS) and the television network iTV. Shin Corp. also holds a stake in discount carrier AirAsia.
A group led by Temasek and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) “reached an agreement with the Shinawatra and Damapong families to acquire their 1,487.7 million shares or 49.6 percent stake in Shin Corp.oration Pcl (Shin Corp.),” a press statement issued by Temasek said.
Speaking to reporters, Thaksin named the buyer of his family’s stake in the company only as ‘the fund’, but Singapore’s state-linked investment firm Temasek was widely reported to be the buyer. The SET also did not name a potential buyer of the shares.
‘Many potential buyers approached the company, but they decided to sell to the fund because they want the company to remain strong,’ Thaksin has been quoted in media reports as saying.
One of Thailand’s richest men, Thaksin has been battling accusations of corruption and cronyism. He has been under constant accusations of mixing his family telecommunications empire with affairs of state. Most recently, iTV’s telecast of an interactive show anchored by Shinawatra invited a lot of wrath from the political opposition, who described it as a misuse of resources.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
