Not our problem – Paetongtarn dismisses father’s comeback

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of ex-PM Thaksin and Pheu Thai Party‘s chosen candidate for her father’s old job, said her father has to find his own way home. He will not need, and not receive, any help from the Pheu Thai Party.

Paetongtarn – known by the pet name “Ung Ing” – dismissed her father’s comeback plans at a Pheu Thai campaign meeting in the northeastern province of Loei yesterday, saying that it was “not our problem.”

Thaksin has said many times that he will be returning home soon after a 15 years’ absence. Last week, the ageing plutocrat announced that only ill health had prevented him from returning last year and that he would be back soon after the election, regardless of the outcome.

Thaksin was very clear that he would allow Ung Ing to announce the great date of his return, but his daughter doesn’t seem to know what he is talking about.

Paetongtarn said…

“He has not said when he will return home. He has been abroad for several years now. He may be thinking of how to return. I respect his decision as he said he does not want to get the party involved.

“The party and I will focus on our election campaigns rather than trying to bring him back to Thailand.”

Paetongtarn dismissed reports about a deal with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party to facilitate her father’s comeback.

During an online chat with fans last week, Thaksin was asked when he would be back home. He answered that he would be back in no time at all and without any help from the Palang Pracharath or Pheu Thai.

The fugitive said…

“Ung Ing will be the one to announce when I will return to Thailand. No new [amnesty] law for me. No siding with Palang Pracharath either.”

Thaksin fled the country in 2008 when he was sentenced to two years in prison for assisting his then-wife, Khunying Potjaman to buy a prime plot of land at a heavy discount.