Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra phoned in during Tuesday’s meeting of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party to offer advice and make his views on issues ranging from peace talks in the deep South and constitutional amendments to the Bt2.2trillion in loans for infrastructure megaprojects.

Thaksin rejected speculation that his sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, who will contest a by election in Chiang Mai next month, would become a “substitute” prime minister.

Read more: The Nation