Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his hopes in an interview with Nikkei Asia during his visit to Udon Thani on November 14 that his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, would be able to return to Thailand by Songkran next year. Yingluck, also a former prime minister, has been living in exile since being ousted in a military coup. Thaksin stated he sees no obstacles preventing her return and suggested she might even come back slightly earlier, depending on the circumstances.

Justice Minister Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong addressed the legal process surrounding Yingluck's return, emphasizing that no formal communication had been received so far. He clarified that anyone returning to face Thailand's judicial system must first go through the courts, as correctional procedures begin with a court-issued detention order. He also affirmed that current regulations require female detainees to be housed in a women’s correctional facility, ensuring compliance with legal standards.

When questioned about whether Yingluck’s return would follow the same path as Thaksin's—including a potential royal pardon—Pol. Col. Thawee stated that all actions must strictly adhere to the law. While he was not the justice minister during Thaksin's return, he reiterated that Yingluck’s case would follow the legal procedures outlined by the Department of Corrections. He dismissed suggestions of a specific "model" being applied, reaffirming that all processes are conducted according to the law.