On December 16, Reuters reported that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to work with advisors from other ASEAN member countries to support the region’s leadership during a critical period.
The announcement coincided with a visit to Malaysia by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest daughter. During a joint press conference, Anwar praised Thaksin’s leadership, stating:
“Thank you, Thaksin, for accepting this position. I value his vast experience as a visionary regional leader.”
Reuters also highlighted Thaksin’s political history. Now 75 years old, Thaksin remains a prominent figure in Thai politics over the past two decades. However, his career has been marred by allegations of abuse of power and conflicts of interest, leading to his political disqualification and self-imposed exile abroad.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023, where he was initially sentenced to eight years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to one year through a royal pardon, and he has since been staying at a police hospital citing health issues.
Although Thaksin has publicly stated his retirement from politics, skepticism persists, particularly from his military and elite rivals, who believe he retains influence in the administration of his daughter, Paetongtarn.