Thaksin “never had any intention to accept any appointment,” Noppadon, a former foreign minister, said by phone today. “He can help the country as a Thai citizen. He doesn’t need to have any official or unofficial position.”
led by Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra, as saying he would be appointed as a trade envoy to promote Thai goods abroad. Noppadon called it “false reporting,” adding that Thaksin can travel on a passport from Montenegro. Yingluck said today in Bangkok that the report wasn’t correct.
Since her victory, Yingluck has deflected questions on whether Pheu Thai’s victory would also pave the way for the return of her brother, who has directed party affairs from Dubai since fleeing a jail sentence in 2008. Thaksin was deposed in a 2006 coup and a pro-Thaksin party was ousted a year after winning the 2007 election in the wake of protests from opponents who claimed it wanted to rewrite the constitution to benefit him.
Overseas investors have bought a net $497 million of Thai stocks the past two days after the election produced a clear winner. The SET Index fell 0.16 percent to 1,082.83 as of 11:06 a.m. local time. The baht strengthened 0.1 percent to 30.47 per dollar.
Yingluck called for “unity and reconciliation” at a July 4 press conference in Bangkok at which she announced the formation of a five-party coalition. Thaksin told reporters the same day he had no immediate plans to return.
