Thaksin’s sister running to be prime minister in 3 July elections
From Dubai where he fled to avoid corruption charges, Thaksin Shinawatra acknowledged that although she was his choice for the election, he denied she would be his puppet. “Some said she is my nominee. That's not true. But it can be said that Yingluck is my clone,” Thaksin said.
Thaksin said he helped his sister improve her management skills since her graduation from university and that the two shared similar management styles.
“Another important thing is that Ms Yingluck is my sister and she can make decisions for me. She can say 'yes' or 'no' on my behalf," he added.
In his view, her presence paves the way towards national reconciliation after years of violence that hindered the country’s economic development.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, the new opposition leader said that her background would help her, whatever political role she will play. Her first goal is however national reconciliation.
Yingluck Shinawatra also noted that her party will not allow her “to do anything for only one person”, namely her brother, and that “the public interest must come first.”
Three factors will play a key role in determining the election outcome: leaderships, teamwork and policies.
“The Pheu Thai Party and the government will treat everybody equally, even my brother,” she said.
Thaksin Shinawatra’s younger sister said she would “make use of being a woman” to bring about national reconciliation because “it is time to move the country forward and address its economic problems and create justice.”
Yingluck è was born on 21 June 1967. She is the youngest of nine children. She is married to Anusorn Amornchat, president of M-Link Asia Corporation. They have a son. She is a graduate in political science and public administration at Chiang Mai University.
Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday congratulated Ms Shinawatra for becoming the Pheu Thai Party’s top candidate and his main challenger.
He said that he looked forward to meeting her in a public debate.
Thailand’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for 3 July. Many hope they will be mark the end of five years of political crises and social divisions.
The poll will be the first real test for the current prime minister. Abhisit’s coalition government came to power in December 2008 after the Constitutional Court of Thailand removed his predecessor, who was close to Thaksin, from office.
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10/05/2011
