(Dan Tri) – The youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra accepted a position in Thailand’s largest opposition party, Pheu Thai, sparking speculation that this powerful family may soon return to politics.

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra and youngest daughter Paethongtan Shinawatra (Photo: Asia Times).

Pheu Thai, the largest opposition party in Thailand, on October 29 announced the appointment of Paethongtan Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, as head of the Innovation and Inclusion Advisory Committee at the party’s general assembly in

This move has sparked a series of speculations that the powerful Shinawatra family will soon return to Thai politics in the future.

According to Straits Times, this is Ms. Paethongtan’s first time participating in politics, but observers are not surprised by this development and believe that she will likely become a potential candidate to run for prime minister.

`Pheu Thai recently seems to have been caught up in some internal rivalries. There are rumors that Mr. Thaksin will try to regain influence for the Shinawatra family before the next election, which may take place

Although he does not currently hold any official position in the party that once ruled Thailand, Mr. Thaksin is said to still be influential behind the scenes.

Mr. Thaksin, 72 years old, was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. He has been living in exile abroad for more than 10 years.

Mr. Thaksin is currently living in Dubai to avoid a prison sentence in Thailand for corruption charges, which he has repeatedly denied.

In July, Mr. Thaksin revealed that he would soon return to Thailand through the `front door, not the back door.`

`Ms. Paetongtarn’s new position could be a stepping stone for Mr. Thaksin to return to Thailand. Perhaps the only way for that to happen is for Pheu Thai to become the ruling party,` said Dr. Punchada Sirivunnabood from the Institute of Southeast Studies

Great influence

The youngest daughter of Mr. Thaksin’s three children, Ms. Paetongtarn is currently Deputy Managing Director at family-owned real estate company Rende Development.

She graduated from the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University and studied international hotel management at the University of Surrey in England.

According to observers, Mr. Thaksin is still considered a factor in attracting votes for Pheu Thai in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand.

There are speculations that the next election will take place next year and the ruling PPRP and other political parties already have their candidates for prime minister.

When asked by the media about the prospect of being nominated, Ms. Paetongtarn replied that it is a matter of the future and she is only focusing on the current task.

Expert Punchada commented that although she does not have much political experience, Ms. Paetongtarn is still capable of being nominated.

`It only took a few weeks for Ms. Yingluck to run in the 2011 election and become prime minister afterward. Anything can happen,` Ms. Punchada said.