Thaksin: I'll be back soon

[Khun Don]

Thaksin: I'll be back soon
Published: 26/07/2012 at 06:16 PMOnline news: Local News

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said during a birthday video link from Hong Kong to the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Thursday that it will not be long before he can return to his home country.

He was speaking during a ceremony marking the opening of the party's "Thaksin Shinawatra Library" to mark his 63rd birthday.

He said his family opened the library for him, knowing that he liked to read and wanted other people to follow suit.

Reading brings knowledge, and knowledge is power, not money -- as people in the opposition Democrat Party think, he said. This belief was what caused them to take away his money, Thaksin said.

The deposed prime minister said he wanted the Democrats to come and read the books in the library, so that they could get to know the way he thinks.

Thaksin said Thailand is now in chaos because there are more uninformed people than there are knowledgeable people, so people did not know that they had been deceived.

He said he wanted politicians to read good books, and he would send the library books he has read and liked while living abroad so that others could read them.

Thaksin said he would come home soon. He was just waiting for Thailand to grant him an entry visa, but still did not know who would do that or when.

Asked about his birthday celebrations, Thaksin said it was not important who went to Hong Kong and who could not. What was important was their intention to rebuild the country, he added.

Reports said Thaksin had ordered 64,000 doughnuts to be delivered across the country as a gesture of reconciliation.

Some of the doughnuts were sent to reporters at Government House today.

When reporters asked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about her elder brother's sweet handout, she said she was not aware of it.

"I don't know any details about this," Ms Yingluck told reporters. "I haven't talked to him [Thaksin] yet."

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva sent birthday wishes to Thaksin.

"I ask him [Thaksin] to let go of his personal interests and think of the common interests of the people and this might bring about a solution for him," Mr Abhisit said.

When reporters asked him about national police chief Priewpan Damapong's trip to meet Thaksin in Hong Kong, the former premier said they were relatives, but it was not appropriate for Pol Gen Priewpan to make the trip.

"How can it be that a national police chief travels to meet a fugitive?"

BANGKOK POST + Pics

[Khun Don]

Chalerm: I'll bring Thaksin home
Published: 26/07/2012 at 06:19 PMOnline news: Local News

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung on Thursday remained fully committed to his pledge to bring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand.

The outspoken Mr Chalerm said he was still 100 per cent confident and had a way to ensure the return of the fugitive former premier.

However, he needed to wait for the Pheu Thai Party to “crystalise”, he said, and urged his fellow party members to stay low-key. When this happened, he would show how he would realise his pledge.

In March, Mr Chalerm said he had figured out a way to get Thaksin home but refused to say exactly how, saying he wanted to keep it as a surprise. Mr Chalerm, however, said it would be with the help of the majority of the people who wanted Thaksin back.

The veteran politician did not reveal when he would make his move, explaining he needed to generate an understanding among the public about Thaksin’s position after the Sept 19, 2006 coup d'etat and the series of corruption accusations brought against him.

The deputy prime minister said he had discussed the matter with two members of House No.111, former Thai Rak Thai executives Sutham Saengprathum and Adisorn Piengket, and they agreed that anyone in the Pheu Thai Party who had tried to bring Thaksin back and failed should stop what they were doing and give him and the two former banned politicians a chance.

BANGKOK POST

[deland]

Bring him back!!

[TomUK]

There was me thinking, great, a new Thaiminator movie is coming to the cinemas. Then it turns out, it is all about a convicted criminal wanting to return to his home country to do his porridge. Quelle disappointment.

TomUK

[Evergreen]

Why does he need to wait for a Thai entry visa before returning. I was under the impression that there were no restrictions for Thai nationals with a valid passport when it comes to re-entry. He was interviewed last week by, I think, Indonesian TV and he was moaning that "Why is it that the only country I can't go to, is Thailand". He can visit Thailand anytime he chooses. It is simply that he will be arrested and jailed. And, unless he chooses to appeal his sentence, that is as it should be.

[Curt]

If they would give him his money, he would probably disappear.

None of these people, on either side, really care about Thailand.