BANGKOK, Thailand Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra can return to Thailand if he wants, but must wait until political tension eases following last month's military coup, the country's new leader said.



Thaksin was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly when military leaders seized power. He has not returned to Thailand since the Sept. 19 coup, opting to stay in London, where he owns an apartment.

Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters late Saturday that he had spoken with Thaksin, but did not give the date of their conversation. He said authorities would have to see when would be the right time for Thaksin to return.

"If he wants to come back, that's his right, but I have to talk to other sides involved," Surayud said. "What's most important is to see if the situation in the country has eased and if it's appropriate for him to come back."

Coup leaders have said that the military intervened and seized power last month because intelligence showed the likelihood of imminent, violent clashes between Thaksin's supporters and opponents in Bangkok.

Despite Thaksin's popularity with the poor, he was almost universally opposed by the country's elite, who accused him of widespread corruption and abuse of power. Massive anti-Thaksin rallies were staged in Bangkok for several months earlier this year.

Surayud, who was appointed interim prime minister on Oct. 1, made his first official trip abroad to Laos on Saturday, and went to Cambodia on Sunday. He is scheduled to visit Malaysia this week.

International Herald Tribune

More on this news story......

PINING TO COME HOME

Govt warns Thaksin not to return yet

Defence minister says he should wait till martial law is lifted; but many ministers fear national unity could be jeopardised

Deposed leader Thaksin Shina-watra, who has made it known that he wishes to return to Thailand from virtual exile in London, has been asked by those who overthrew him to be patient and wait until the political climate becomes more stable.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtat said the best time for Thaksin to return is when martial law has been lifted, "which shouldn't be too long from now".

Suriyasai Katasila, a key member of the People's Alliance for Democracy, which held street protests against Thaksin, also warned that the national divide could be widened leading to a dangerous point if Thaksin returned today.

Prime Minister Surayud Chula-nont said on Saturday that Thaksin had made a telephone call to him asking about the possibility of returning home.

Surayud said that Thaksin was told that the new administrators needed to take many factors into consideration and discuss his request.

Surayud yesterday avoided giving a definite answer to Thaksin's request. He said people in charge would meet tomorrow to discuss the status of martial law. "Let me address international questions first and tackle local ones later," he said.

"My Cabinet will discuss the state of martial law on October 17. After that, we will inform local and foreign media about how we can accommodate their calls for public rights and liberty."

The coup leaders, who booted Thaksin out on September 19 when he was attending a UN assembly in New York, have ordered an investigation into alleged corruption within the Thaksin regime. But the former prime minister has not yet been formally charged.

Surayud said that as a Thai citizen, Thaksin could return, but he should do so at an "appropriate" time.

Thaksin's request coincided with his embattled Thai Rak Thai Party's attempt to stage a caucus to elect a new leader, despite the coup leaders ban on political gatherings.

The party, whose panic-stricken former MPs resigned en masse, is planning to petition the Election Commission for permission to hold a general assembly within 45 days.

While the coup leaders and the interim government have not directly turned down Thaksin's request, they seem to be giving a virtual "No", said some observers.

"It shouldn't be too long before martial law is lifted," said Boonrawd. "I guess he should wait until then if he wants to come home."

One of the darkest chapters in Thai history concerns another ousted prime minister whose return caused much strife, said political analysts.

The return of exiled leader Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in 1976 triggered angry protests among student activists who had staged the uprising that ousted him three years earlier.

The protests against Thanom became a catalyst for a brutal crackdown on the student movement by the ultra-right, culminating in the massacre of students at Thammasat University on October 6, 1976.

Some fear that Thaksin's strong grassroots support could destabilise the situation.

Boonrawd warned that a prompt return could trigger "undercurrents" that could again divide the country.

"In principle, it's the right of any Thai citizen to leave the country and return home any time they want. And the same goes for the former prime minister," said Boonrawd.

"But he should also consider whether his return now would do his country any good. We should consider whether his return now would trigger the undercurrents and raise tension."

He said the interim government and the Council for National Security (CNS), where the coup leaders now sit, would discuss and make a decision on the issue.

"When things become stable, the prime minister can come home. When martial law is lifted, we can consider things have returned to normal," said Boonrawd.

Air Force Commander-in-Chief Chalit Pukpasuk, the deputy leader of the CNS, said martial law could be lifted within two months.

"I don't know exactly when, but if all parties cooperate to get things back to normal martial law should be lifted within one or two months," he said.

"So far we haven't discussed the issue of when the former prime minister should return home. But now that he has made inquiries, it's our duty to provide him with information."

Suriyasai asked Thaksin to declare his real motives for the request, and suggested Thaksin should wait until the probe into alleged corruption was completed.

"He needs to clarify on what status does he intend to return. He's a virtual political defendant… the main cause of the September 19 power seizure. Yes, he's a Thai citizen, but the situation in our country today is far from normal," said Suriyasai.

"We need to be very careful. Many of his supporters think he's been persecuted. His return could spark rallies. Thaksin can come back, but he should wait for the justice process to work first.

There are many rumours and allegations about evidence of corruption being destroyed, His return could fuel more doubts and serves no good."

The Nation

Quote:Thaksin should wait until the probe into alleged corruption was completed.

I think that this would be the most "sensible" move :wink:

OUSTED PREMIER

Thaksin advised to stay abroad for a long time

Army rejects his plan to return, says his coming back would aggravate social division

Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra had hoped to return to his home in Bangkok next Sunday, but the Council for National Security (CNS) put a stop to his plan.

A political 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.

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

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, head of the security council, expressed concern yesterday 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 normalised 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 said.

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 yesterday 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.

It was unclear when the interview was recorded.

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 finalise 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.

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.

Deposed premier Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn enjoyed the forgiveness of the Thai people after a time lapse of one year in exile and remained a respected figure among his supporters, Wallop said, urging Thaksin to emulate Thanom's example.

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.

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".

The Nation