THAILAND: Thaksin not planning to return to Thailand soon

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser dismisses reports of him seeking political asylum in Britain

Straits Times
Tuesday, October 24, 2006

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

The ousted leader has also ruled out attempts to seek political asylum in Britain, according to his legal adviser Noppadol Pattama on Sunday.

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

He added that Mr Thaksin would judge for himself when it was appropriate to come back.

Mr Noppadol also dismissed news reports that said Mr 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," Mr Noppadol said.

Mr Noppadol, who is a former member of parliament with Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, said he had spoken to Mr Thaksin, who thanked supporters for their messages of encouragement.

Mr Thaksin's government was toppled in a Sept 19 military coup and he has since been in exile in London.

His daughter Pinthongta studies at the London School of Economics.

The TRT on Sunday stepped up pressure on the Council for National Security (CNS) -- the ruling group of coup leaders -- to lift martial law so Mr 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.

Among other restrictions on civil liberties, the law bars public gatherings of more than five people.

The international community has also called on the Thai government to lift martial law as soon as possible.

However, the interim government said yesterday it would maintain martial law because Mr Thaksin's supporters still intended to create political chaos.

"As long as the situation remains not calm, martial law cannot be lifted," Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtat told reporters.

"If there are no political undercurrents, the opportunity to lift martial law will come faster."

General Boonrawd said the coup leaders had talked to TRT supporters in a bid to stop any moves against the interim government.

Meanwhile, members of the CNS-appointed National Legislative Assembly warned on Sunday against the return of Mr Thaksin at this time.

Mr Wallop Tangkananurak, a former senator and an assemblyman, said the former PM's early return could trigger violent confrontations between supporters and detractors.

Mr Somsak Prisanananthakul, deputy leader of the opposition Chat Thai party, said TRT should not try to link Mr Thaksin's return to martial law.

But the coup generals first need to deal with a campaign against their rule in Thailand's north-east, where Mr Thaksin's support was strong among the rural poor.

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

Mr Thaikorn Pholsuwan, a political activist, on Sunday said supporters of the campaign planned to rally if martial law was not lifted.

Date Posted: 10/24/2006

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