QUOTE
Ousted leader Thaksin has no plan to sneak back into Thailand, lawyer says
BANGKOK: -- If and when ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand, he won't sneak back across the border but he will fly into the country with dignity, his lawyer said Saturday.
Thaksin has been living in London, where he owns an apartment, since being removed by a military coup in September. While on a trip to China last month, there were rumors that Thaksin might try to slip back into Thailand by land.
"If he comes back, he won't illegally cross the border," lawyer Noppadol Patama told reporters. "He will come back with dignity at Suvarnabhumi airport."
Thailand's flashy new Suvarnabhumi airport opened in September, about a week after the Sept. 19 coup. The airport was one of Thaksin's pet projects, but he has yet to see it in operation.
The leader of the coup, Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, was recently quoted as saying that Thaksin will not be allowed to return until martial law is lifted.
Coup makers have accused Thaksin of massive corruption and abuse of power. They have set up several anti-graft bodies to investigate alleged wrongdoing by the fallen government.
Thaksin's lawyer said the current climate in Thailand made it premature to speak of Thaksin's return.
"If the situation remains the same, he will not return," Noppadol said.
Meanwhile, Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, a former prime minister and army commander, called for the military-backed government to allow Thaksin to come back and face his alleged wrongdoing.
"If he stays here, then we can take care of him and talk to him," he said.
The interim government has promised to step down after a new constitution is drafted and a general election held in October.
About 100 people held a peaceful protest Saturday evening at a park in Bangkok, demanding that martial law be lifted and that a democratically elected government be restored quickly.
--AP 2006-11-11
BANGKOK: -- If and when ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand, he won't sneak back across the border but he will fly into the country with dignity, his lawyer said Saturday.
Thaksin has been living in London, where he owns an apartment, since being removed by a military coup in September. While on a trip to China last month, there were rumors that Thaksin might try to slip back into Thailand by land.
"If he comes back, he won't illegally cross the border," lawyer Noppadol Patama told reporters. "He will come back with dignity at Suvarnabhumi airport."
Thailand's flashy new Suvarnabhumi airport opened in September, about a week after the Sept. 19 coup. The airport was one of Thaksin's pet projects, but he has yet to see it in operation.
The leader of the coup, Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, was recently quoted as saying that Thaksin will not be allowed to return until martial law is lifted.
Coup makers have accused Thaksin of massive corruption and abuse of power. They have set up several anti-graft bodies to investigate alleged wrongdoing by the fallen government.
Thaksin's lawyer said the current climate in Thailand made it premature to speak of Thaksin's return.
"If the situation remains the same, he will not return," Noppadol said.
Meanwhile, Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, a former prime minister and army commander, called for the military-backed government to allow Thaksin to come back and face his alleged wrongdoing.
"If he stays here, then we can take care of him and talk to him," he said.
The interim government has promised to step down after a new constitution is drafted and a general election held in October.
About 100 people held a peaceful protest Saturday evening at a park in Bangkok, demanding that martial law be lifted and that a democratically elected government be restored quickly.
--AP 2006-11-11
