Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter said that her father would like reconciliation if he is allowed to return to Thailand.
Ms. Paetongtarn, who campaigns for Pheu Thai to return to government, delivered her dad’s message to the party’s supporters in Chiang Rai on Sunday.
“If he has a chance to return to Thailand, he would like to see all sides sit down to talk and work together because people are facing a big challenge – the waves of economic problems,” she stated, adding: “He is determined to do that.”
During the same rally in Chiang Mai, chief campaign strategist Nattawut Saikua called on Pheu Thai supporters for backing in achieving decisive victories in all provinces from Chiang Rai to Narathiwat, hoping to ensure that a new administration has the chance to rule.
The Pheu Thai party was toppled when General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was head of the army at the time, seized power in 2014. He has served as Thailand’s prime minister since the coup.
Also on Sunday, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana insisted that Pheu Thai plans to bring Mr. Thaksin and his sister Ms. Yingluck back to the kingdom, accusing the party of having a hidden agenda to fulfill that goal if it takes office.
Mr. Thaksin and Ms. Yingluk, who was also prime minister, fled Thailand after their opponents held multiple court cases against them.
In a related development, the Palang Pracharath Party campaigned in the Pheu Thai stronghold in several northeastern provinces while the party was in the north on Saturday. The first was Nong Khai.
Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwon said the ruling party would overthrow all Pheu Thai MPs in Nong Khai.
Talking about the next battle there, set to be held in March next year, he said: “It’s a fight. I want to take all three constituencies,” adding that he would challenge Pheu Thai in all constituencies with a water management campaign expected to solve the drought. However, in 2019, Pheu Thai won all three seats.
