Regional News
Former PM Thaksin Stresses Desire to Come Home
In a five-minute video speech posted on his son’s Facebook page to mark his 64th birthday, he said he missed Thailand and wanted to reunite with his family but “I have to be patient as there are obligations which I have to fulfill.”
CHIANG MAI – Thailand’s ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, leading a life of self-exile in the Middle East city of Dubai, has expressed a strong desire to return to his homeland after seven years of wandering.
In a five-minute video speech posted on his son’s Facebook page to mark his 64th birthday, he said he missed Thailand and wanted to reunite with his family but “I have to be patient as there are obligations which I have to fulfill.”
He did not elaborate but said he was concerned with the atmosphere of distrust and conflict among Thai people.
“My children took turns to visit me for they did not want me to feel lonely when they all came and left. They also have to work and be with their mother,” he said.
The former prime minister who was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for a land purchase scandal said he wished the Thai people would turn to each other and collaborate in returning unity to the nation.
Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin’s legal adviser, said the former premier will spend the weekend in Hong Kong to celebrate his 64th birthday anniversary before making a trip to China.
He is expected to meet with MPs of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and his circle of acquaintances who will make their journeys to visit him in Hong Kong.
Mr Noppadol said it was unlikely that Mr Thaksin will discuss the parliamentary debate on the Amnesty Bill, scheduled for August 7.
The planned deliberation of the bill has exasperated certain groups of opponents who vowed to stage a mass rally in Bangkok to protest the controversial legislation and the government on August 4.
Suporn Attawong, deputy secretary general to the prime minister and a Red Shirt core leader, said Red Shirt activists loyal to Mr Thaksin will hold religious ceremonies for him at many Buddhist temples nationwide to mark his birthday.
Meanwhile, Defence Ministry spokesman Tanathip Sawangsaeng said the Defence Council meeting, in its meeting today, did not discuss the proposed Amnesty Bill as the issue was beyond the military’s responsibility and it would be unlawful if the council raised irrelevant matters.
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