Thailand’s powerful Shinawatra clan set to visit Hong Kong days ahead of national polls

The family, led by self-exiled patriarch and deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, will be in the city for the wedding of his youngest daughter

Thaksin’s sister Yingluck, another former prime minister who was also deposed in a military coup, is also expected to attend

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Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra at an event in Tokyo in March last year. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:02pm, 18 Mar 2019Updated: 10:59pm, 18 Mar 2019

Hong Kong is set to play host this week to Thailand’s powerful Shinawatra clan just days ahead of Sunday’s general election – but the gathering has nothing to do with the closely watched polls.

Instead, the family led by self-exiled patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra will be in the city for the wedding on Friday of Paetongtarn “Ing” Shinawatra – the former prime minister’s youngest daughter – to Pidok Sooksawas, a professional pilot.

This Week in Asia understands some senior members of the Pheu Thai party loyal to the family are expected to grace the ceremony before flying back in time for Sunday’s polls.

Alongside Dubai-based Thaksin will be his sister Yingluck, another former prime minister who is also in exile after being deposed by a coup.

The siblings – both linchpins of their political bloc – frequent Hong Kong and use the city as a base for meeting Thai politicians.

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Ing and Pidok’s reception will be held at the Rosewood Hong Kong just days after the ultra-luxury hotel in the city’s Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront district first opened its doors to guests.