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There wasn't not much talking. He's still weak but his arm can
move a bit," Srettha told reporters, adding that Thaksin, who
left hospital with his arm in a sling, was in a good mood and
smiling. "He's happy to be home."
Thaksin has been at the heart of a two-decade power struggle
between his family and its coterie of capitalist upstarts, and a
nexus of royalists, generals and old-money families that have
long wielded influence over Thai governments and institutions.
He faced years in prison on his return from exile on charges of
graft and abuse of power, which he denies as politically
motivated. On his first night in jail, he was transferred to the
luxury wing of a police hospital, where he served his detention.
Doctors said he had experienced tightness in his chest and high
blood pressure.
Thailand's king in August commuted Thaksin's sentence from eight
years to one year, of which he served half.
Speaking after visiting Thaksin at the billionaire's Bangkok
residence, Srettha said he did not talk about how the
influential ex-premier would help the country. Thaksin
encouraged him in his work but they did not discuss politics,
Srettha said.
"I didn't talk about how he would help the country. But he is
concerned about the country... as there are a lot of economic
problems," the prime minister said.
Thaksin's return last year coincided to the day with ally and
political newcomer Srettha being chosen prime minister, leading
many to suspect a deal between Thaksin and his powerful enemies
in Thailand's royalist-military establishment.
He and the government, led by the Shinawatra family-backed Pheu
Thai Party, have dismissed such speculation.
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai;
Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and William Mallard)
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