The idea of establishing a private university to support private sector development in Thailand and the region was initiated in 1996 by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra and his colleagues. This was followed by the design and development of an environmentally friendly campus by Dr. Soontorn Boonyatikarn in 1997. A year later, the innovative plans were presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn, and then to the Ministry of Universities which granted the license for operation towards the end of 1999. The first Shinawatra University Council Meeting was held on May 19th, 2000, marking the initial milestone of the long road to becoming an accomplished private university.