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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a military coup in September 2006, left Hong Kong and arrived at Bangkok¡¯s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday morning. His return comes after the People Power Party, a pro-Thaksin party, formed a government following an election win in December last year.
"During my 17-month exile, I dreamed almost every day about returning home. I missed my home and family most,¡± the multibillionaire (58) claimed in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo aboard Thai Airways 603 from Hong Kong.
On returning home, the ethnic Chinese tycoon said he looked forward to a bowl of beef noodles. Thaksin was deposed while in New York to attend the UN General Assembly in September 2006, beginning a life of exile shuttling between luxury homes in London, Hong Kong and Beijing.
His son Panthongtae (28) was listening. Asked what he thought about his return, he said, "I have mixed feelings." A close Thaksin aide said this was probably because there were two arrest warrants awaiting Thaksin, some US$2 billion worth of assets from the sale of his telecom empire to Singapore¡¯s Temasek while in office remain frozen, and he is banned from political activities for five years.
Thaksin repeatedly claimed he is ¡°finished¡± and has ¡°quit politics.¡± "I will play a new role, and spend more time with my family." Asked what that "new role" may be, he said, "I'd like to turn a foundation I established in Thailand into an international organization. I like my job at Manchester City,¡± the British professional football club he bought last year.
Asked whether he is ready to accept an advisory position with the PPP, the majority party grouping many former members of his party or their spouses and relatives, he said, "I have no such plan. PPP members are all experts. Let's stop talking about politics." On rumors about an assassination threat, he said, "I'm a little worried about it. But Thailand is a peaceful nation, isn't it?"
Thai daily the Nation wrote Thaksin ¡°booked an entire floor of the riverside Peninsula Bangkok Hotel to ensure his and his family's security." The hotel has a helipad and is renowned for its security, which makes it possible to immediately cope with any terrorist attack.
The former police officer denied the corruption charges. "I have confidence in the Thai legal system and judiciary. I've never done anything corrupt or wrong. I'll prove my innocence,¡± he insisted. "During my life of exile, I realized that it's important, above anything else, to respect people's will. Now is the time for all Thai people to move forward. We can't afford to waste time."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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