On July 21, Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechchai refused to confirm whether former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would attend an unofficial dinner party between party leaders in the ruling coalition on July 22.
Mr. Phumtham, currently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs of Thailand, is also a key figure of the Pheu Thai Party.
He said that the meeting between party leaders in the Thai ruling coalition is scheduled to take place at 5:00 p.m. on July 22.
When asked if Mr. Thaksin, who is still seen as the real leader of the Pheu Thai party, would attend the meeting, Mr. Phumtham replied: "This must be questioned about Mr. Thaksin. But the exchanges remained as normal meetings between the alliance's leaders."
Responding to questions about the content of the meeting, Mr. Phumtham said that this was just an opportunity for the alliance leaders to talk and exchange views.
When asked about Thaksin's ability to appear at the event, Phumtham asserted: "Everything will comply with the law. These types of meetings often do not invite outsiders. We have not yet decided whether to let the reporter take photos or not.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also did not confirm whether he would invite any opposition lawmakers to attend.
Regarding whether Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Mr. Thaksin's daughter and now leader of the Pheu Thai Party, will participate in the additional election campaign in Region 5, Si Sa Ket province, Mr. Phumtham said he was not sure. This decision belongs to the leadership of Pheu Thai Party.
Thai media pointed out that Mr. Thaksin has appeared in public more in recent days, including an exclusive speech on July 9, another key speech on July 17 and a ceremony at Ban Rai pagoda in Nakhon Ratchasima on July 19.
During these appearances, Mr. Thaksin mentioned a series of topics, including the direction of the Pheu Thai Party after the Bhumjaithai Party left the alliance and the upcoming ruling of the Constitutional Court in the case of Ms. Paetongtarn.
