The Political Characters of Thai Prime Ministers

Abstract

          The aims of this article research were to 1) to study the political characters of a military prime minister (General Prayut Chan-o-cha) and the former civilian prime minister (Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra). 2) compares the similarities and differences of the political characters of these two prime ministers. Using the method of qualitative research by conducting documentary research and in-depth interviews with 12 key informants who could give information related to the background, the method of entering into the position, the unique characteristics or habits, the work characteristic, and job satisfaction based on the theory of character of James David Barber to collect data for the analysis. The key informants are the persons in the groups of soldiers, politicians, relatives, friends, subordinates and the persons who acquainted with or had or have ever worked with the prime ministers.

            Findings are as follows: 1) Based on the theory of character of James David Barber, both prime ministers exhibited similar political characters in the type of adaptive character. The work characteristic was in the relationship type of high performance level (hard work) and a high level of job satisfaction. Work management showed diligence, enthusiasm, and happiness while being in the position of prime minister. Both prime ministers had similar unique characteristics, leadership qualifications, and work characteristics resulting in having similar adaptive characters. They had vision, as well as problem solving and systematic management skills. These characteristics are the effects of their family backgrounds, education, and occupation. Both prime ministers have some similar family backgrounds and education so they have similar adaptive characters. 2) differences in certain factors of their family backgrounds and education as well as occupation and their method of entering into the position, resulted in these two prime ministers having unique characteristics and different administrative and political behaviors.