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| |  Posted 26/02/2008 12:01:54 | |
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Cloudy's back
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| Thaksin 'to return on Thursday' | By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok |
  Mr Thaksin has been living in exile since the 2006 coup |
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra will return from exile on Thursday morning, according to his supporters. Mr Thaksin has been living outside Thailand since the military coup that deposed him in September 2006. But he announced his intention to return after the party formed by his political allies won the general election in December. He still faces a number of challenges, including an outstanding indictment for alleged corruption. Mr Thaksin's 17 months in exile have done little to diminish his stature in Thailand. For his diehard fans - and they number many millions - his return will be a moment to cherish, final confirmation that the generals who ousted him have failed in their ambition to kill his political career. Mr Thaksin's equally passionate opponents have vowed to re-start their protest campaign that eventually brought about his downfall, although there is likely to be far less public appetite for that now. Party disunity Mr Thaksin is coming back earlier than expected, an indication of the growing disarray in the government led by his allies. His choice of party leader, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, is proving to be a public relations disaster. Mr Samak recently denied a well-documented massacre of students in 1976 by right-wing vigilantes. He also downplayed the deaths of 78 Muslim demonstrators in army custody three years ago. Both comments have provoked a storm of protest, and there are also deep rifts between some of the key factions in the governing party. Only Mr Thaksin, the party's main financier, has the authority to impose discipline on the cabinet. But there is a risk he will be tempted to get too involved. He is still subject to a five-year ban on holding political office, and viewed with deep suspicion by the military and much of the traditional elite. He must also deal with an outstanding charge of corruption against him, although with the dramatic shift of power to his allies this year, the will to pursue the case through the courts may well evaporate. |
Avoid, rather than check. Check, rather than hurt. Hurt, rather than maim. Maim, rather than kill. For all life is precious, nor can any be replaced. |
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| | | Posted 26/02/2008 12:17:21 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| Thats the last we'll see of him for a while
--------------------------------------------------We're on a mission from God |
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| | | Posted 26/02/2008 12:36:24 | |
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Premiership Poster
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Last Login: 09/07/2008 19:29:49
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| | As long as he leaves some petty cash Bit much taking the huff cos we lost last night
you do not mess with Jack Reacher |
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| | | Posted 26/02/2008 15:00:08 | |
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Second Division Poster
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| | hope he comes back in time for summer spending spree! |
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| | | Posted 27/02/2008 09:30:47 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| Thaksin's Thai return could bring City a crock of gold
Daniel Taylor
Wednesday February 27, 2008
The Guardian
Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to Thailand confident of being cleared over fraud allegations. Photograph: Fabio de Paula/PA/Empics
Sven-Goran Eriksson could be handed significant transfer funds if Thaksin Shinawatra is successful in clearing his name when he returns to Thailand tomorrow to face allegations of multi-million-pound fraud. The former Thai prime minister is preparing to fly from Hong Kong tonight after taking the unexpected decision to return to his native country for the first time since taking over Manchester City last summer. He expects to be arrested and bailed but, after several weeks of private bargaining, he is confident the ruling PPP party will subsequently clear him and he will then attempt to regain control of the £800m worth of assets that were seized and frozen last year. The implications for City are enormous because, if all goes according to plan, Thaksin will redirect some of the money to make them one of the most financially powerful clubs in Europe.
Eriksson will then be in charge of an extensive recruitment programme to ensure that City are in a better position to qualify for the Champions League during his second year in charge. The team are currently eighth in the Premier League, their lowest position of the season, six points off fourth place after losing 2-0 at home to Everton on Monday. Thaksin was overthrown by a military junta in 2006 and has since been living as an exile in London, but his prospects of a return to Thailand were raised at the turn of the year when the PPP was elected. The party is known to be sympathetic to him even though during his time in government he was frequently challenged with allegations of corruption, dictatorship, tax evasion and human-rights offences. Thaksin has been described by Human Rights Watch as a "human-rights abuser of the worst kind" but he denies any wrongdoing and has always stated that he would return to Thailand when it was safe to do so. Thaksin firmly believes that his enemies in Thailand are no longer in a position of power and there is no sense of apprehension at City that his decision could result in him being imprisoned. Thaksin, quite simply, would not be returning if he had not been given categorical assurances. Eriksson, in turn, could have more transfer money at his disposal than any other club in Europe but would also be under added pressure to end the club's 32-year wait for a trophy. 8oo million quid - even if we get a fraction of that in the summer that woudl be so fecking cool
--------------------------------------------------We're on a mission from God |
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| | | Posted 27/02/2008 11:01:51 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| if he comes back
Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it |
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| | | Posted 27/02/2008 11:39:40 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| his buddies are in charge now - I'm sure he woudln't set foot in Thailand if a deal hadn't been worked out
--------------------------------------------------We're on a mission from God |
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| | | Posted 27/02/2008 11:41:57 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| Timpblue (27/02/2008)
his buddies are in charge now - I'm sure he woudln't set foot in Thailand if a deal hadn't been worked outExactly. No way would he be going back if there were a risk.
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up, charm, top, down, strange, bottom |
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| | | Posted 27/02/2008 12:19:23 | |
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| Benny (27/02/2008)
Timpblue (27/02/2008)
his buddies are in charge now - I'm sure he woudln't set foot in Thailand if a deal hadn't been worked outExactly. No way would he be going back if there were a risk. That's why he sent the missus last time. |
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| | | Posted 28/02/2008 08:05:22 | |
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Premiership Poster
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| Endearing himself, see last paragraph.
Former Thai PM Thaksin back home
Supporters of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra at Bangkok airport, 28 Feb 2008
A large crowd of supporters was waiting for Thaksin in Bangkok
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on bail shortly after his arrival in Thailand after spending 17 months in exile.
He said he would beat what he called politically motivated corruption charges from the years he was in power.
The 58-year-old billionaire businessman was briefly detained by police on his arrival at Bangkok airport.
He was removed from power in a military coup in September 2006 and has lived outside the country since then.
At the airport he was greeted by a huge roar from thousands of flag-waving supporters.
Some of the key figures from the new government were there to meet him before he was whisked away to the Supreme Court where he was granted bail.
He is allowed to travel abroad, but only with the court's permission.
Opponents' fears
"I have to restore my reputation which has been tarnished by the coup," he told reporters with him on the plane from Hong Kong.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Harding on the flight, Mr Thaksin said he would "definitely" be cleared of corruption charges against him.
"I've done nothing wrong, why worry?" he said.
Mr Thaksin said he wanted to live peacefully as a "normal citizen" and would not be seeking revenge against the coup bosses who forced him out of power after five years in office.
Mr Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed following the coup and he was personally banned from politics for five years but his opponents fear he has returned to influence events from behind-the-scenes.
Many of Mr Thaksin's followers formed the People Power Party (PPP), which won elections in December last year.
When asked if he would be pulling the political strings in Thailand, Mr Thaksin told the BBC that he had retired from politics.
"I think in my life I have devoted a lot to my country and I think I have done a lot politically. No more politics."
Mr Thaksin has some $1600m (£800m) in frozen accounts in Thailand. He told Andrew Harding this was his family's money which he would try to get released.
He said he had mixed feelings about returning to home, but that he now wished to focus on his family and his football interests - he owns Manchester City and was travelling with two of the British club's players.
"Manchester City Football Club in my family investment so we will have to do our best to make it successful," he said.
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~ Listen to the tales and romanticise, how we follow the path of the hero. |
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