Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's youngest sister and the newly appointed executive chairwoman of SC Asset Plc said she will try to learn the ropes in the property sector as fast as possible and if successful then the next step, creating hi-tech homes, should be easier for her. She would not elaborate on her idea of homes of the future.

She said she is confident in her ability to lead SC Asset because she can rely upon her management skills.

Yingluck resigned from the cell-phone company at the end of last month in line with her family's departure from the telecom business in January when it sold its stake in Shin Corp Plc, AIS's parent, to Singapore's state-investment arm Temasek Holdings.

"The real-estate and telecom sectors share one thing in common and that is the need to understand customer behaviour in each market segment and focus on customer relationship management," she said.

But unlike the telecom market where one can quickly ditch old phones for new ones, potential real-estate customers take a longer time deciding before making a purchase, she said.

Another difference is that it is easier for telecom operators to quickly launch new packages if previous ones fail to work, she added.

When asked if one day she would follow in her brother's footsteps into politics, Yingluck said that while she was interested in politics she still prefers to focus on business.

But she did not rule out the possibility of entering the political arena in the future, adding that those who want to do so should have financial backing and a supportive family.

"You must have a sound financial base and family support, so you can dedicate yourself to the public interest. If you don't have these prerequisites then don't jump in," Yingluck said.

Several groups in society have been calling on Thaksin to step down as prime minister following the controversy surrounding the Shin-Temasek deal, which has raised concerns about foreign ownership in some national assets. The Shin Group owns a television station, satellite business and the cellular operator.

"I think my brother has already made a major step in response to the demand of the majority of the people by dissolving Parliament although earlier he announced that he would not do so [dissolve Parliament]," she added.

She said that whether his decision is acceptable depends on what the majority of people want.

She added that from another perspective, people in the provinces were very supportive of Thaksin. Whenever they met him they asked him to stay on as prime minister, she said.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation