Thaksin Celebrated His 57th Birthday With A Low Profile Today

[Jai Dee]

Low profile 57th birthday for Thai caretaker PM

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Wednesday quietly celebrated his 57th birthday with family members at his residence in Bangkok.

The low-profile celebration included giving alms to nine Buddhist monks invited to chant prayers intended to provide merit for the birthday premier.

Brushing aside questions from a flock of reporters who wished to ask about the current political situation facing the country and his government, the prime minister left home to preside over the inauguration of the World Rubber Summit held at the IMPACT Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Mr.Thaksin, the leader of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, was scheduled to attend a party meeting Wednesday afternoon when party members are expected to wish him a happy birthday.

Like other Thai political parties, the TRT is now moving to prepare for the upcoming general election set for October 15.

Conducting the election is a step closer after having had the way cleared by Tuesday's Criminal Court ruling of four-year jail terms for the former three election commissioners, a decision which ended their legitimacy and paved the way for selection of a new set of commissioners to run the country's elections.

Source: TNA - 26 July 2006