Thaksin Likely To Return Home When Martial Law Ends

[george]

Thaksin likely to return home when martial law ends

BANGKOK: -- Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may return to Thailand following the end of martial law, imposed by the military following a bloodless coup on September 19, his legal advisor said here Sunday.

Noppadon Pattama told a press conference that he had talked with Mr. Thaksin and was told that the former premier would not return to Thailand for the time being. He also believed that Mr. Thaksin may return home "when the time is ripe."

Denying earlier reports that Mr. Thaksin had hired a British attorney to assist him in seeking permanent political refuge in England, Mr. Noppadon said the reports were groundless and that the former prime minister had no desire to stay in that country permanently.

Mr. Thaksin is willing to cooperate with the government and every agency in an attempt to attain reconciliation in the country as soon as possible and he also hopes that democracy in Thailand will be restored soon, Mr. Noppadon said.

Speaking about anti-government leaflets attacking the interim government of Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont which were circulated in the North and Northeast last week, Mr. Noppadon defended the former minister, saying that Mr. Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai political party played no role in it because he wanted to see peace and reconciliation in the country.

He said that Mr. Thaksin was not worried about his overseas assets which would be probed by the government. On the contrary, Mr. Noppadon said, most of Mr. Thaksin's assets are now deposited in Thailand.

Late last week, the National Counter Corruption Commission announced that the former prime minister's assets were valued at only Bt512 million, which sparked criticism that the official figures are misleading and inaccurate.

Mr. Noppadon said he personally believed that Mr. Thaksin would wash his hands of politics for good if current political situation remains unchanged.

His wife and children also want him to stay away from politics, Mr. Noppadon added.

--TNa 2006-10-22

[george]

EXILE EXTENDED

Thaksin has no plans to return yet

BANGKOK: -- Ousted PM believes time not right; TRT pushes for end to martial law amid talk of mounting defiance by supporters in NE

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shina-watra has no plans to return to Thailand in the near future.

The ousted leader has also ruled out attempts to seek political asylum in the United Kingdom, according to his legal adviser Noppadol Pattama yesterday.

"He will be returning when the time is right. No-one should have any worries or suspicions [regarding Thaksin's return]," Noppadol told a news conference at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

The ex-prime minister would not return to Thailand at this time, Noppadol said, adding Thaksin would judge for himself when it was appropriate to come back.

The legal adviser also dismissed news reports Thaksin had hired British lawyers in an attempt to win political asylum. "He wants to cooperate with the current government for reconciliation. He also wants Thailand to restore democracy soon," Noppadol said.

Noppadol, who is a former Thai Rak Thai member of parliament, said he had spoken with Thaksin who thanked supporters for messages of encouragement.

Thaksin's government was toppled in a September 19 coup and he has been in exile in London. His daughter Pinthongta studies at the London School of Economics.

The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday stepped up pressure on the Council for National Security (CNS) to lift martial law so Thaksin could return to the country.

Party deputy spokesman Suthin Klangsang said retaining martial law would do more harm than good to both the image of the CNS and the country.

"Former Thai Rak Thai MPs want Thaksin to come back to oversee the party again. We believe he won't abandon the party," he said.

This latest Thai Rak Thai move came amid a campaign in the Northeast against the CNS.

Chain letters and anonymous leaflets with messages attacking the coup were circulated in parts of Phetchabun, where CNS leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin presided over a "kathin" ceremony at a local temple.

The CNS yesterday called a meeting of leading teachers in the Northeast after it sensed a possible build-up of opposition by groups loyal to the ousted prime minister. The council asked for teacher opinions of the coup and on how they saw national reconciliation progressing.

Thaikorn Pholsuwan, a political activist from the Northeast, yesterday said there was a secret campaign in the region against the CNS. He claimed those behind it planned to rally if martial law was not lifted.

In a related development, some members of the CNS-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday warned against the return of Thaksin at this time.

Wallop Tangkananurak, a former senator and an NLA member, said although the ex-PM had a right to return at any time his early return could trigger violent confrontations between supporters and detractors.

Nitiphum Navarat, another member of the assembly, said it was not the right time for Thaksin to return home because it could lead to chaos.

Chat Thai deputy leader Somsak Prisanananthakul yesterday said Thai Rak Thai should not try to link Thaksin's return to martial law.

He said Thaksin could come back any time but he should consider the negative impact it could have on social order.

--The Nation 2006-10-23

[sriracha john]

We love you, Thakky... Please come home...

[Sandstone Art]

Are they renovating the GRAND Hilton in Bangkok to welcome Toxin back? Wonder what suite will they offer to house him.

Will he enjoy more previledges than Tommy Suharto ? Like pizza delivery and night stay over by Mrs Toxin?

Maybe Chuwit will buy him a 5,000 baht per pkt of fried rice when he visit Toxin

[Pattaya_Fox]

Home is where the heart is.....or where some financial knots need to be untied.