Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy

Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy: "SPECIAL
Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy

Amid political unrest and growing criticism from opposition parties, the public and the media for his family’s dubious sale of a 49.6-per-cent stake in Shin Corp, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will give an additional Bt1 billion back to so

However, his former mentor, Chamlong Srimuang, suggested that the Bt1-billion sum might be too small when compared with the Bt73 billion his family earned from the tax-free sale. Chamlong came up with the suggested figure of Bt26 billion – one-third of the total sum received for selling Shin to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

Philanthropy is a tradition of rich people in the West, but after World War II a handful of Japanese also climbed on the bandwagon. Their example may give Thaksin some inspiration on how to return assets to society.

Here are a number of billionaires who take their support for charity very seriously."