Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not expected to take on any formal advisory role after his anticipated release on parole, although he remains an important ideological figure within the Pheu Thai Party, party leader Julapun Amornvivat said.
Mr Julapun, who also serves as Labour Minister, said the party had made no special preparations ahead of Thaksin’s expected release, describing the matter as a personal family issue.
He said Thaksin, now 76, should be able to spend time with his family once the parole process is completed.
Thaksin is currently being held at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. He is scheduled to be released on parole on May 11 and will remain under probation until September.
Mr Julapun described Thaksin as the “spirit” of the party’s political movement since the Thai Rak Thai era, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as control over the party’s internal affairs.
“Pheu Thai operates as a political institution independent of any individual. Our day-to-day operations are determined by the party’s executive committee, not by somebody,” he said.
Asked whether Thaksin could return to a role within the party structure, Mr Julapun said there were no plans for such a move.
However, he said Thaksin’s long experience in politics and economics could still be shared informally, particularly through personal discussions or advice on major issues.
