Thaksin Shinawatra embraced his daughter Paetongtarn on the auspicious occasion of the royal endorsement of her prime ministerial position at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok this Sunday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his readiness to guide his daughter Paetongtarn, Thailand’s new prime minister, as she navigates the challenging role. He believes her humility will garner widespread support. “She knows the road ahead will be tiresome, and she must devote herself entirely while encouraging cooperation from all factions,” Thaksin remarked. “In the past, I led, and she followed. Today, she leads, and I support her from behind,” reflected Thaksin, 75, on his 37-year-old daughter’s new role.
Thaksin assured that his daughter could always reach out for advice, but he emphasized that he wouldn’t engage in her political maneuvers. “I’m old, 75 now,” he said, implying his shift to a more advisory role rather than active political engagement.
He also clarified that he would not involve himself in the cabinet formation, noting it’s entirely Paetongtarn’s responsibility. Thaksin acknowledged her youth as an advantage. “She’s young and can visit various organizations to gain their support. She’s approachable and humble,” he asserted.
Paetongtarn indicated she would seek her father’s counsel when appropriate without crossing any legal boundaries. “A job of this magnitude can’t be tackled solo,” she acknowledged. “I need advice from experienced individuals to make a meaningful impact and implement policies that benefit the national interest.”
Determined to avoid the legal entanglements that ensnared her father and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, Paetongtarn emphasized her commitment to her prime ministerial duties. She did not provide reporters with a timeline for her cabinet formation during Sunday’s session.
Thaksin returned to Thailand last August after 15 years of self-exile, having fled in 2008 to escape what he claimed were politically motivated charges. Upon his return to Bangkok, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, later reduced to one year under a royal pardon, for conflict of interest and abuse of power during his term from 2001-06.
He avoided spending a night in prison and instead stayed six months in Police General Hospital. His parole in February was due to his age, health conditions, and the fact that he’d served half of his reduced sentence.
On September 27, 2017, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Yingluck Shinawatra to five years in prison for negligence in her government’s rice-pledging scheme, leading to fake and corruption-plagued sales. The court pronounced judgment in Yingluck’s absence after postponing it from August 25, 2017, due to her failure to appear. A warrant for her arrest was issued subsequently.
It’s reported that Yingluck fled the country to join Thaksin in Dubai before the court delivered its decision, avoiding the fates that cornered her family members before her.
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