Pheu Thai denies Thaksin influence at MP meetings

Pheu Thai denies Thaksin influence at MP meetings

Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra on July 26, 2016 at Imperial World shopping mall in Lat Phrao.  (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra on July 26, 2016 at Imperial World shopping mall in Lat Phrao. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Pheu Thai Party caretaker secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai warned the Election Commission (EC) it should not assume that former leader Thaksin Shinawatra still dominates the party's activity.

"Can just visiting and meeting [party members] be considered dominating?" Mr Phumtham asked.

"It must be carefully considered."

He was responding to EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen's remarks on Friday that party members should be cautious when meeting party outsiders -- those who fall outside official member or executive status.

He added they must not let outsiders influence the party's agenda or accept their money to finance activity.

The remark was made amid reports that several former MPs planned to meet fugitive former prime ministers Thaksin and his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who are visiting Singapore.

They arrived on Thursday and are thought to be leaving on Sunday.

The siblings are thought to be attending a cryptocurrency investment conference.

Thaksin's daughter Paethongtarn on Saturday posted a picture online with her father, Yingluck and her sister Pintongta Kunakornwong, with the caption reading, "Miss you so much -- finally we met!"

A Pheu Thai source who asked not to be named said the former MPs who met the siblings included Chalerm Ubumrung, the former labour minister, and Woravat Auapinyakul, the former education minister.

Samart Kaewmeechai, a key Pheu Thai member and former MP for Chiang Rai, admitted many former MPs were travelling to meet Thaksin and Yingluck.

The siblings were on a private trip that was not organised by the party.

Nonetheless, they were expected to discuss the problems of former MPs defecting to other countries, and the candidates for Pheu Thai leader.

EC acting secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said the act of exerting influence by an outsider must be examined in detail, as it is prohibited by Sections 28 and 29 of the organic law on political parties.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (44)