Former Thai PM's sister denies being his puppet

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Yingluck Shinawatra says she wants to bring peace to Thailand. [AFP]

VIDEO

Shinawatra defends her presidential campaign

Created: Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:15:04 GMT+0700

Zoe Daniel

Last Updated: 13 hours 33 minutes ago

Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra has denied being controlled by her brother, exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

The youngest sister of the former prime minister is leading the main opposition Pheu Thai party into landmark elections in July.

Ms Yingluck says although she thinks the same way as her brother, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, she is an independent leader.

She says she wants to bring peace to the politically divided country.

Mr Thaksin has previously described her as his clone.

"I follow him since I was young so I understand the logic of his thinking. But when we make decisions I have to be myself," she said.

She says her priority is reconciliation in a country rocked by deadly political protests, partly linked to the ousting of her brother.