THAILAND: Thaksin says he's on holiday in London

Prime Minister Thaksin chats with reporters about plans to do charity work for Thailand

Straits Times
Friday, September 22, 2006

London --- Dressed casually and smiling as he emerged into the warm autumn sunlight with his daughter, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra looked like any other well-heeled visitor to London.

Indeed, the ousted Thai premier said he was now on "holiday" and was going to "buy some Thai groceries" as he left an apartment block opposite Hyde Park.

It was a world away from the tanks that took to the streets of Bangkok this week.

Clad in a dark blazer and open-necked white shirt, Mr Thaksin barely stood out from the tourists passing by his residence next to the posh Dorchester Hotel, a hangout of the visiting rich and famous on London's Park Lane.

Chatting with reporters, Mr Thaksin said he was now on holiday and referred to a statement given to reporters earlier by his aides.

It said he "will take a deserved rest" and plans to carry out development and "possible charitable work for Thailand".

Meanwhile, Thailand's ousted deputy prime ministers, Mr Surakiart Sathiriathai and Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, both arrived back in Bangkok yesterday.

Mr Surakiart, Thailand's candidate to succeed Mr Kofi Annan as United Nations Secretary-General, had been in the United States attending the UN General Assembly with Mr Thaksin at the time of the coup.

Yesterday, he distanced himself from his former boss and said he has received the support of the country's new military leaders in his bid to become the next UN chief.

Mr Somkid, who was commerce minister in Mr Thaksin's Cabinet, had been in Europe on an official visit.

He said he had not yet decided whether to return to politics and he did not expect to play a role in the new administration.

Mr Thaksin flew to London on Wednesday. But he failed to turn up at his London home in the plush London district of Kensington.

It was unclear why he was staying at the Park Lane address apartment, although it was speculated that he was trying to avoid the hordes of photographers and reporters eager to spot him.

After they tracked him down yesterday, it remained to be seen whether he would return home.

Date Posted: 9/22/2006

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