Thaksin to buy home in Australia: report

SYDNEY - Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has revealed he wants to buy a home in Australia as he adjusts to life away from politics.

The self-made billionaire also thanked the Thai military for deposing him in a bloodless coup five months ago, saying he was enjoying spending more time with his family, The Australian reported Monday.

Thaksin is on a private visit to Melbourne and Sydney, where he has hired a property developer to find him a home on the city's prestige harbour front.

"I am looking in the eastern suburbs for a property with good views of the harbour," Thaksin told the newspaper from Sydney, where he was playing golf on Sunday.

"I think Sydney is very safe and I have friends here. I like Australia. The people are friendly and sincere. The weather is good. It is clean and safe and I can play golf all year round."

Thaksin was in New York for a United Nations summit when the Thai military toppled his government on September 19. He has been in self-imposed exile ever since, initially spending time in London before travelling around Asia.

Some of his visits have created political waves, particularly after Thaksin met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar during a visit there.

Thaksin stressed he had no political or business interests in Australia and was merely holidaying in the country.

"We have sold the family business," he was quoted as saying. "All we have now is some real estate. I want my children to grow their own businesses from the beginning. I may just advise them.

"In a way, I am grateful to the military government for forcing me into an early retirement so that I can spend time with my family again.

"Now the only activity I am considering is investing in the stock market and doing charity work to support the rural development work of the King."

Thaksin said he was mindful that his activities were still being watched by the Thai government.

"I think the (Thai) government is too concerned about my activities, which are actually very private," he said.

"Every time I speak to the media I try to be very conservative as a former prime minister.

"No matter how bitter you are, you have to be very faithful to your country, to your people and to your monarch."

The Thai government has withdrawn Thaksin's diplomatic passport and advised the ousted leader to return to the kingdom only after general elections promised for later this year.

Agence France-Presse