AFTER de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his Chan Song Lah residence upon being released on parole early this morning (Feb. 18) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said not to talk about how many prime ministers there are in the country because according to the constitution there is only one, and that is him, Amarin TV said.
Thaksin, accompanied by his daughters Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is Pheu Thai leader, and Pintongta Shinawatra, reached his residence in the Thonburi side of the city in a Mercedes Benz van at 6.32 a.m. and drove straight into the compound without rolling down the window to greet the media contingent waiting outside to interview him.
However some photographers were able to snap images of him leaving Police Hospital wearing a neck support and a sling on his right arm.
Srettha also said he had not called to congratulate Thaksin and had not yet made plans to go meet him because right now he is probably not interested in politics, wanting to spend time with his family and continue taking care of himself.
Asked whether he had called Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn, he replied that he had not because he has to visit seven areas today and did not have the time but does wish them well and as they are close friends there is no need to call about these things but that he would call when there is an opportunity to do so.
Regarding those who see that the administration centre will now shift from the Government House to Thaksin’s Chan Song Lah residence, Srettha said this is a matter of differing opinions and he is open to listening to different viewpoints.
He mentioned that although Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is from a different party, being the leader of Bhumjaithai, sometimes there are some differences but overall they do agree because the country has to move forward after having suffered a lot.
“Please don’t talk about how many prime ministers there are because there is only one person and that is me,” he said.
CAPTION:
De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra leaving Police Hospital early this morning, Feb. 18, 2024. Top photo: AFP/Jack Taylor, First photo below: AP/ Wason Wanichakorn, second below: AP/Sakchai Lalit, Front Page: AP/ Wason Wanichakorn and published by Matichon and Naewna
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