Soe Thein

Soe Thein (; born 7 September 1949 in Rangoon, Burma), also spelt Soe Thane, is a Burmese politician who served as Minister of the President's Office of Myanmar (Burma) between 2011 and 2016 and as Minister of Industry 2 in 2010-2012. He is a retired Vice Admiral and previously served as the Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Navy. He also served as the Chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission from 2010 to 2013.

Soe Thein has been accused of buying votes in Bawlakhe twice, in 2015 and in 2020. He won that constituency both times.

Personal life

Soe Thein is married to Khin Aye Kyin, also called Aye Aye. They have one son, Aye Chan (b. 1973), and 2 daughters, Yimon Aye (b. 1980) and Thida Aye (b. 1979). Yimon Aye is a professor of chemistry & chemical biology at University of Oxford.

Professional life Soe Thein while serving in Myanmar's Navy had a formative experience working in Denmark where his exposure to the West would foster a positive view of reform. In the Thein Sein Presidency, Soe Thein was a significant reform advocate. Due to Soe Theins work as a western oriented ally of President Thein Sein, Soe Thein gained a reputation as one of the more forward thinking figures of transition era Myanmar according to Thant Myint-U. Soe Thein along with other Thein Sein era officials, such as negotiator Aung Min, would seek a seat in the Pyithu Hluttaw. Soe Thein would be successful in his election bid and witness the rise of Aung San Suu Kyi while some officials such as Aung Min would fail to secure a position in the nations legislature.