By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DE FACTO PHEU THAI BOSS Thaksin Shinawatra has apparently made an about-face over his long-awaited scheme to return home from self-exile overseas, saying he will not seek help from his own party’s rank and file for this matter even if they become core of a post-election government.
During last night’s (Jan.24) Care Clubhouse live podcast, Thaksin who has been taking self-exile overseas since the 2006 coup confirmed he is very determined to come back home without help from the Pheu Thai following the next general election. The former prime minister said he would somehow manage to meet his homecoming goal by himself but stopped short of elaborating.
Thaksin who has been taking self-exile overseas since the last 16 years was apparently responding to widespread criticism that the much-anticipated Pheu Thai landslide victory in the general election and subsequent setting up of a Pheu Thai-led coalition government had been primarily designed to help with his repeatedly-proclaimed intention to return home and literally babysit his seven grandchildren.
Named Tony Woodsome during live podcasts from Dubai, Thaksin admitted he had earlier vowed to literally come back some time last year but was finally advised against it by his own children who, he said, had been primarily concerned over his own safety.
The coup-deposed premier said his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra who will almost certainly be named among a trio of Pheu Thai partisan contestants for prime minister will publicly unveil when and how he will finally return home.
Thaksin who had earlier encouraged the Pheu Thai rank and file to score a Pheu Thai landslide victory so they would likely become core of a coalition government said he will not need assistance from the party for his planned return.
Meanwhile, the de facto Pheu Thai boss categorically dismissed widespread speculation that the Pheu Thai might probably join ranks with the Palang Pracharath, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, to set up a coalition government of their own after the general election.
Thaksin said his critics may have fostered misleading sentiment implying to the extent that his partisan followers would probably agree to set up a Pheu Thai/Palang Pracharath-led coalition government on condition that he be subsequently brought back home.
Prawit who will almost certainly be named Palang Pracharath partisan contender for prime minister earlier said his ruling party has already stepped beyond all political conflict and may look to open doors for possible alliance with other camps after the nationwide race to parliament.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Front Page: Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Both photos: Thai Rath
Also read: Pheu Thai never planned to bring Thaksin back home: Chonlanan
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