Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has, again, delayed his return to Thailand, this time saying he will wait to see how the election of the prime minister turns out.

Thaksin said last month that he would end his 17 years of self-exile this month, because he wants to care for his grandchildren and is ready to serve the 10-year prison term from which he fled.

His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, said today (Wednesday), however, that she had just spoken to her father and he has changed his mind.

“His return is still on, for sure, but it will be delayed a little bit. Not this month,” she said.

The delay is apparently because Thaksin does not want his return to be linked with the current political situation. Many, however, already regard his return as politically connected.

“He does not want to return during a time of political chaos and cause more problems. It may not be in July, as earlier said. He wants to see the result of the election of the prime minister,” Paetongtarn said.

When asked whether her father would come back after the new government is established, she said he would like to wait until the political situation is calmer.

Thaksin has announced 19 times throughout his years of exile that he wants to return home.