Another party source confirmed to AFP that the new coalition government led by Pheu Thai plans to consult Thaksin, once he is freed from prison.
Srettha said Thaksin – whose “Thaksinomics” policies in the early 2000s saw rapid growth – could help as the government seeks to boost the economy by five per cent a year.
“I believe he has value to add to the government and to the people of Thailand,” Srettha told Bloomberg TV in an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“He was, and probably still is, the most popular prime minister in the history of Thai politics.”
But while Thaksin is still beloved by millions of Thais for improving rural incomes, he is a hugely divisive figure.
Thailand’s royalist and pro-military elite has long reviled him, and much of Thai politics over the last two decades has been coloured by the establishment’s efforts to keep Thaksin and his allies out of power.
Within hours of being jailed, Thaksin was moved to a private room at a police hospital because of his poor health, and according to his daughter, he underwent surgery last week.
Rumours have been rife of a clandestine deal cut to grant Thaksin leniency on his prison sentence in return for Pheu Thai, including pro-military parties in its governing alliance.
Source: CNA
