Thaksin's family

Lydia clarifies her relationship with the former prime minister

Published on March 3, 2008


Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's karaoke and golf partner Sarunrat "Lydia" Visutthithada burst into tears when her "dad" arrived back home.

She told Daily Xpress that her emotions for Thaksin are so strong because he showered her with love that she never got from her own family.

The singer says her own family is lacking in  emotion. Not one member in her family has a loving nature, she says.

But it's different with the Shinawatras.

The woman, who denies ever being Thaksin's lover, says her tough exterior melts when she is in the embrace of his household - one she calls her "second family".

"My mum has made me tough; I don't cry much, especially over little things," Lydia says. "With us there's no such thing as 'I love you, I am proud of you'. Kisses? No! Hugs? No! Scolding? Always!

"But when I am with Thaksin, I can express myself better," she says.

"When Dad shops with Ung-Ing [Paetongtarn] they always hold hands. When he goes shopping with me he holds my hand, too. He's a family man."

Now Thaksin's back home, he is once again touching the singer's heart. "When I saw

him return and prostrate

himself at the airport, I cried."

Lydia says that though her own family is not totally devoid of warmth, it is Thaksin's love and advice that has won her over.

In her book "Lydia�Here I am!" she writes that Thaksin was the one who taught her about democracy.

"Democracy is being able to choose your own government," she explains.

She believes the former PM's "broad and wide vision" will make Thailand economically strong, adding that his plans for education, communications and transport are sound.

However, she doesn't want to get into politics. Her thing

is owning a restaurant. And "daddy" Thaksin has been helping with that too, giving her advice and tips on technology.

This stage and screen star is currently studying online with the London School of Economics, after turning down an opportunity with Harvard, which Thaksin helped her get with a letter of recommendation. After all, she did not want to lose her dream of becoming a famous singer.

She still gets a lot of attention from the news media, though, because of her relationship with Thaksin. "[All these rumours] have hindered my singing career."

Instead of gossiping, she says, people should start buying her records.
Read about Lydia's latest album in the The Fun section on Sunday.
By Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra,

Budsarakhum Sinlapalavan

Daily XPress