# Thein Sein

> former President and Prime Minister of Myanmar

**Wikidata**: [Q12149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12149)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thein_Sein)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thein-sein

## Summary
Thein Sein is a former President and Prime Minister of Myanmar, a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. A military graduate of the Defence Services Academy and a prominent politician, he served as the head of state from 2011 to 2016, leading a quasi-civilian government that implemented significant reforms. He is also recognized as a member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party and holds an honorary doctorate from the Northwest A&F University.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 20, 1945
- **Nationality:** Myanmar (citizen of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar)
- **Education:** Defence Services Academy (military academy in Myanmar, inception: 1954)
- **Known for:** Serving as the President of Myanmar (2011–2016) and Prime Minister (2007–2011)
- **Employer(s):** State Peace and Development Council (former military government), Union Solidarity and Development Party
- **Field(s):** Politics, Military Service

## Contributions
Thein Sein's primary contributions involve high-level political leadership and governance within Myanmar during a period of significant transition.
- **Presidency (2011–2016):** Led the country as President, overseeing the implementation of reforms and the transition from direct military rule to a quasi-civilian government.
- **Prime Ministership (2007–2011):** Served as the head of government, managing executive functions prior to his election as President.
- **Political Party Leadership:** As a key figure in the Union Solidarity and Development Party (founded June 2, 2010), he helped shape the party's platform which dominated the 2010 general elections.
- **Military Service:** As a graduate of the Defence Services Academy (established 1954), he served in the organized armed military force of Myanmar, rising through the ranks to influence national security and policy.
- **International Recognition:** Received an honorary doctorate from the Northwest A&F University, acknowledging his contributions to leadership and governance.

## FAQs
**What were Thein Sein's primary roles in the Myanmar government?**
Thein Sein served as the Prime Minister of Myanmar from 2007 to 2011 and subsequently as the President from March 2011 to March 2016. During his presidency, he led a quasi-civilian administration that initiated various political and economic reforms.

**What is Thein Sein's educational and military background?**
He is a graduate of the Defence Services Academy, the premier military academy in Myanmar which was established in 1954. This education formed the foundation of his career as a military personnel before he transitioned into high-level politics.

**Which political party is Thein Sein affiliated with?**
He is a prominent member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, a political party in Myanmar that was established on June 2, 2010. The party's headquarters are located in Dekkhinathiri Township.

**Has Thein Sein received any international academic honors?**
Yes, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Northwest A&F University. This recognition highlights his status as a significant political figure on the international stage.

**What was the political context of his presidency?**
His presidency occurred after the 2010 general elections and followed the era of the State Peace and Development Council, the former military government established in 1988. His term marked a shift toward a more open political system before the 2021 military coup.

## Why They Matter
Thein Sein matters because he presided over a critical era of political transition in Myanmar, moving the nation from decades of direct military junta rule toward a quasi-civilian government. His leadership as President (2011–2016) facilitated the release of political prisoners, the easing of censorship, and the initiation of economic reforms that opened the country to international engagement. Without his administration's efforts to negotiate with ethnic groups and implement constitutional changes, the brief period of democratic opening in the 2010s might not have occurred. His tenure set the stage for the 2015 elections and the subsequent rise of Aung San Suu Kyi, making him a pivotal figure in modern Myanmar's history.

## Notable For
- **Presidency:** Serving as the 9th President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar from 2011 to 2016.
- **Prime Ministership:** Leading the government as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2011.
- **Military Education:** Graduating from the Defence Services Academy, the country's primary military training institution.
- **Political Affiliation:** Being a key leader of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
- **Honorary Degree:** Receiving an honorary doctorate from the Northwest A&F University.
- **State Peace and Development Council:** Serving within the former military government structure established in 1988.
- **Reform Era:** Overseeing the transition period that included the 2010 elections and the release of political detainees.

## Body

### Early Life and Military Education
Thein Sein was born on April 20, 1945. He is a citizen of Myanmar, a country located in Southeast Asia that gained independence from British rule on January 4, 1948. His foundational education took place at the Defence Services Academy, a military academy in Myanmar that was established in 1954. This institution serves as the primary training ground for the country's military personnel. Through this education, he became a member of the organized armed military force, qualifying him as military personnel. His early career was defined by his service within the military structure, which eventually led to his involvement in the State Peace and Development Council, the former military government of Myanmar that was established on September 18, 1988.

### Political Career and Leadership Roles
Thein Sein's political career is marked by two distinct high-level executive roles. He served as the Prime Minister of Myanmar from 2007 to 2011. Following this, he assumed the role of President, serving from March 2011 to March 2016. During his time as President, he led a quasi-civilian government that implemented significant reforms. His political affiliation is with the Union Solidarity and Development Party, a political party in Myanmar that was founded on June 2, 2010. The party's headquarters are located in Dekkhinathiri Township. His leadership occurred during a period of transition following the era of the State Peace and Development Council. The political landscape during his tenure included the 2010 general elections and the subsequent constitutional implementation that defined the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

### Governance and National Context
During Thein Sein's presidency, Myanmar operated under the official name "Republic of the Union of Myanmar," a title adopted on October 21, 2010. The country, which covers an area of 676,577.2 square kilometres, is bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. The capital city was Naypyidaw, which had been moved from Yangon on November 6, 2005. Thein Sein's administration operated within a framework where the legislative body was the Assembly of the Union. The country's demographics during this period included a population of approximately 53 million, with a literacy rate of 89.1% as of 2019. The official language was Burmese, and the currency was the Kyat. His government navigated a complex environment involving diverse ethnic groups, including the Bamar, Shan, Karen, and Rakhine, among over 100 distinct ethnicities.

### International Relations and Recognition
Thein Sein's tenure saw Myanmar engaging with the international community as a member of the United Nations (since 1948) and ASEAN (since 1997). The country maintained diplomatic relations with numerous nations, including the United States, China, India, and members of the European Union. His leadership was recognized internationally, notably through the award of an honorary doctorate from the Northwest A&F University. This recognition highlighted his role in shaping Myanmar's foreign policy and domestic reforms. Myanmar's participation in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Health Organization continued under his administration. The country also maintained its membership in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Universal Postal Union.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Thein Sein's legacy is tied to the period of political opening in Myanmar. His presidency ended in March 2016, succeeded by Htin Kyaw. The political structure he operated within was eventually disrupted by the military coup on February 1, 2021, which led to the establishment of the State Administration Council led by Min Aung Hlaing. Despite the subsequent political turmoil, Thein Sein's role in transitioning the country from the State Peace and Development Council to a quasi-civilian government remains a significant chapter in Myanmar's modern history. His career reflects the complex interplay between military background and political leadership in the nation. He is identified in various databases with the Wikidata ID Q12149 and holds the ISNI 0000000401464827. His name in Burmese is သိန်းစိန်.

## References

1. Davos 2014 Participant List
2. [Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China](http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A22/xwb_left/moe_829/201802/t20180228_328136.html)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](http://global.britannica.com/biography/Thein-Sein)
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. BBC Things
8. Library of Congress Control Number