"We've grown up together, so sometimes we think the same," Yingluck told reporters when asked about repeated allegations that she is merely holding down the fort until her brother, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, can return.
"But it doesn't mean when you think the same that you'll be under the shadow of him. Because if I'd be in the shadow of my brother ... I don't think we (could) gain more (of the) popular vote in Thailand," she added.
During her visit to Sweden, a country home to 30,000 Thais, Yingluck signed several cooperation agreements before flying on to Brussels.
She became Thailand's first woman to head a government in July 2011. Thailand is riven by political divisions between Thaksin's supporters and opponents, sometimes resulting in violent clashes.