Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has insisted the son of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is facing asset seizure over her administration's failed rice scheme, can stay in his mother's house in Bangkok until it is put up for auction.
Mr Wissanu made the clarification after he was criticised by Yingluck's lawyer and a Pheu Thai legal expert for saying on Thursday that the former premier's family members must seek permission or pay rent to stay in the house in Nawamin Soi 111 in North Bangkok, which is among 30 assets set to be confiscated.
The Legal Execution Department (LED) is handling an administrative order which compels the former prime minister to pay 35 billion baht in compensation for losses caused by her government's rice-pledging scheme.
Mr Wissanu said the officials have not yet posted an official notice at the house to inform her family of the seizure.
Normally, the authorities will grant permission for family members to remain until the house is sold, he said.
The 110-million-baht house has become an issue of debate after Yingluck's lawyer, Norawit Lalaeng, questioned why Yingluck's husband and son should be required to pay rent on the house.
Chusak Sirinil, chief of Pheu Thai Party's legal team, said the house still belongs to Yingluck as the case has not been settled in court.
Its owner is only required to sell the property or make a deal following the execution of the government administrative order, he added.
