Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate and daughter of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday confirmed her father’s plans to return to Thailand next month.
She also said she was ready to be the next prime minister if Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat could not assume the position.
Ms Paetongtarn said at Pheu Thai’s headquarters yesterday that the last time she spoke to her father, he was determined to return next month as he had promised.
She rejected claims her mother Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra and other members of the family did not want Thaksin to come back next month.
They are not opposed to his return but are worried about the possible consequences, Ms Paetongtarn said.
“He said he was looking at the [political] situation. He doesn’t want his return to cause unrest,” she said.
Ms Paetongtarn said Thaksin has been living in exile for 17 years, and has often expressed his desire to return, especially since the birth of his seventh grandchild, her son.
While confirming Thaksin’s return next month, Ms Paetongtarn stopped short of saying what date he would arrive, saying he will decide the date himself. Thaksin turns 76 on July 26.
Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, while overseas. He has since been living in a self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008.
When asked if Ms Paetongtarn was prepared to be the next prime minister if Mr Pita could not take up the job, she said she would not have agreed to be a Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate if she was not ready for the position.
Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai’s three candidates and former president of the Sansiri real estate empire, warned that the prolonged uncertainty over formation of the new government could hold back investments.