Asia-Pacific

Thaksin wants to return, advised not for now

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-17 16:09

BANGKOK - Ousted Thai former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had expressed hope to return home in Bangkok next Sunday, but the Council for National Security (CNS) put a stop to his plan.

Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra leaves an apartment in central London, September 21, 2006. Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup, arrived in Britain on Wednesday for a private visit, airport officials said. [Reuters]

According to local newspaper The Nation on Tuesday, a source said household maids had been preparing the Chan Song Lah residence ready for Thaksin's return. There were also reports that Thaksin, who has taken refuge in London, flew to Singapore over the weekend and met with senior members of the Thai Rak Thai.

Meanwhile, classmates of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday affirmed he has expressed a wish to return to Thailand on the eve of the Tuesday cabinet meeting that will begin discussing the possibility of lifting martial law.

According to an army source quoted by Bangkok Post, Thaksin has kept in touch with members of Class 10 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School by telephone since he was ousted by the coup on September 19.

In the conversations, Thaksin made clear that he wanted to come back when the situation in the country was calm, the source told Bangkok Post.

"He expressed regret for what has happened. He asked for at least a month to evaluate his past performance, to see what mistakes he made to lead people to demand his resignation," the Class 10 source was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also admitted that Thaksin had requested that he be allowed to come home, but was told that the time was not right yet.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the security council, expressed concern on Monday about the volatile political situation caused by certain pressure groups acting like a political undercurrent to exert undue influence.

"The situation has not been completely normalized and authorities are closely monitoring the unfolding events," he said.

In light of the political volatility, the time was not right for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra to return, Sonthi was quoted by The Nation as saying.

The CNS and the interim government would have to hold a joint meeting before giving a green light for Thaksin to return, he said.

Thaksin said in an interview broadcast on iTV on Monday that he would not be returning to Thailand in the near future. Speaking from his posh London apartment, the ex-PM said he wanted a rest.

General Winai Phattiyakul, the CNS secretary general, said Thaksin should not make a hasty decision to end his exile before the lifting of martial law.

"For the sake of peace, many concerned parties have suggested that Thaksin review the timing of his return to Bangkok carefully, " Winai said.

He also said the CNS would finalize its decision this week whether to issue a white paper on the domestic political situation. The paper, if published, will explain the September 19 coup.

Chaturon Chaisaeng, caretaker leader of Thai Rak Thai, said the party will not politicize the issue of Thaksin's homecoming. Chaturon said he would not encourage sympathizers to stage any show of force in support of the party or against its opponents.

Problems would be solved through reason and via peaceful means, he added.

Chaturon said Thai Rak Thai's need to select new executive members was not enough reason to ask for the lifting of martial law,which bans political gatherings.

But he said the party could ask the Election Commission what it could do within the bounds of martial law.

He said he would ask other caretaker executive members and party members to help monitor the new government, the National Legislative Assembly and the soon-to-be-formed Constitution Drafting Assembly.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said he viewed the timing of Thaksin's return as the real issue.

"It is not a problem for Thaksin to return to his homeland but he should choose the right time to do so," Somsak said. The wrong timing might exacerbate social divisions, he said, adding that he believed Thaksin could decide his options for himself.

Former senator Wallop Tangkhananurak agreed, saying that Thaksin's return at this time could trigger dangerous confrontations between his supporters and detractors.

Former Thai Rak Thai MP Chalermchai Ulankul said Thaksin should extend his London stay rather than risk living in detention.

Thaksin's return would likely trigger situations that could get out of hand and this in turn would prompt the authorities to restrict his movement, Chalermchai said.

Activist Phromsak Saenpho said he had just made a long-distance call from Chiang Mai to Thaksin in London.

"Thaksin told me he did not want to stir up trouble and confirmed his stand on the peaceful political process," Phromsak said.

He said Thaksin should be allowed his return without any pre- conditions.

Meanwhile, Chaiphan Prapasawat, another activist from Chiang Mai,said police should immediately detain Thaksin to face charges relating to policy abuses, corruption and more than 2,000 killings during the "war on drugs."