Thaksins Wife Meets Privy Council President Amid Intense Speculation

[george]

Ex-PM's wife meets Privy Council president amid intense speculation

BANGKOK: -- Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of Thailand's deposed Prime Minister Thaksin, met Thursday with Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's top adviser, amid speculation that she is seeking to secure her husband's smooth return to Thailand from self-imposed exile abroad.

Khunying Pojaman and her elder brother Bannapot Damapong spent only 15 minutes with Gen. Prem at his Bangkok residence, where a flock of reporters had waited to cover the event since early morning.

According to the sources, the brief meeting was brokered by Gen. Oud Buangbon, a member of the National Legislative Assembly and close aide to Gen. Prem. Attempting to avoid the media coverage, the ousted premier's wife and her brother were seen sitting in Gen Oud's vehicle and made no remark on their way in or out of Gen. Prem' s residence.

However, Khunying Pojaman was believed to seek help from Gen. Prem, who is much-respected by the military coup leaders and the public, in her bid to secure the homecoming of her husband.

Khunying Pojaman, considered as influential figure behind former prime minister Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party, returned from London last week, where she joined her husband after the September 19 coup, to declare the family's assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC)

The interim government and its advisor, the Council for National Security (CNS) have opposed Mr. Thaksin's planned return during this period of time, arguing that his return might pose serious threats to the national stability given that political undercurrents allegedly staged by his supporters prevail across many parts of the country.

--TNA 2006-10-26

[george]

It's inevitable for any leaders to lose power one day : Prem

Read the 15-minute conversation between Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda and Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of ousted premier Thaksin.

Gen Oud Buengbon, aide of Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda has admitted to arrange the meeting between his boss and Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed premier Thaksin on Thursday. The meeting lasted 15 minutes and Oud recounted the conversation as follows;

---

Gen Prem : How is Khun Thaksin?

Pojaman : He's fine. He exercises daily, plays golfs and stays with his daughter.

Gen Prem : How's about you? What are you doing nowadays?

Pojaman : (Summing up her daily routines and sharing her thoughts about her future business).

Gen Prem : Please be strong and persevere. It is inevitable for any leaders to lose power one day.

Pojaman : I have braced myself for this some time ago.

--- END OF DISCUSSION ---

-- The Nation 2006-10-26