Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has revealed that the March 2nd meeting, which was attended by her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, touched on various issues concerning the government’s policies and future steps.
Other participants in the meeting, at Thaksin’s Chan Song La residence in Bangkok, included Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also a deputy prime minister and interior minister, and Newin Chidchob, a key member of Bhumjaithai.
“Khun Anutin has met my father many times before and continues to meet him to discuss various issues. This is neither new nor surprising,” she said, adding that she wants the meeting to be held more often, so Anutin can provide updates on his work.
Other deputy prime ministers should also have separate meetings, like Anutin, because they have many responsibilities to discuss, Paetongtarn said.
The Prime Minister did not, however, reveal whether Thaksin would attend such meetings.
Paetongtarn was speaking at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport upon returning from a trip in Germany.
This is the first time it has been confirmed that Thaksin, who was sent to prison in 2023 for conflict of interest and abuse of power while in office from 2001 to 2006, is playing a significant political role in the country’s administration.
When Paetongtarn took office last year, Thaksin was criticised for allegedly having influence over government policy decisions and his daughter.
Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party have denied these allegations, claiming that Thaksin only offers advice as a father, who is also a former prime minister.
