Kuala Lumpur: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, has firmly denied allegations of meeting former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in England. She clarified that she only called Yingluck to offer her support, emphasizing that a recent dramatic photo circulating online is, in fact, an old image.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn addressed the media before departing for the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She responded to accusations regarding her use of government funds for what was perceived as a personal trip to England and the Principality of Monaco. The controversy intensified when a photo of her with Ms. Yingluck was posted after the Administrative Court ordered compensation for damages from the rice pledging scheme, leading to speculations about a meeting in England. Paetongtarn reiterated that the photo in question is an old one.
When pressed by reporters about the authenticity of the photo, Ms. Paethongtarn confirmed it was not recent. Social media users had compared her hairstyle in the photo to her current appearance, leading to further scrutiny. She dismissed these comparisons, stating that her hair parting has always been the same and humorously noted that if she had undergone a nose job, it would have been noticeable.
Furthermore, when questioned about any recent interactions with Ms. Yingluck, Ms. Paethongtarn admitted they had spoken, particularly in light of the recent court order. She emphasized that they frequently communicate during such incidents to provide mutual encouragement and support.