BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA)--Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his homeland amid tight security Thursday morning, ending 17 months of self-imposed exile abroad since the Sept ember 2006 military coup that ousted him from the country's leadership.

Once stepping on the Thai soil, Mr. Thaksin knelt down, placed both his hands on the ground and bowed down.

At least 600 policemen were deployed at Suvarnabhumi airport where a large crowd of Thaksin supporters, many of them carrying placards welcoming him back, waited anxiously for his arrival.

Mr. Thaksin, accompanied by his aides and a group of journalists, travelled from Hong Kong on a Thai Airways International flight TG603. He was welcomed at Suvarnabhumi airport by members of the present and previous cabinets.

The ex-premier went directly from Suvarnabhumi airport to the Supreme Court and was scheduled to move later to the Office of the Attorney-General to surrender himself to the authorities to fight malfeasance charges.

The Supreme Court's Crime Division for Holders of Political Positions has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Thaksin over the 772-million-baht purchase of Bangkok prime land from the Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003. The Assets Examination Committee found that he used his position to influence the deal.

The Department of Special Investigation has charged Mr. Thaksin and his wife Pojaman for allegedly concealing ownership of shares in family business, SC Asset. (TNA)




Political News : Last Update : 10:24:11 28 February 2008 (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) - Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed on Wednesday his return to Thailand on Thursday morning from self-imposed exile overseas to fight his corruption charges, but that he would stay out of politics.

Mr. Thaksin was removed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 while he was abroad and has mostly lived in London since then.

He reiterated in an interview from Hong Kong on Wednesday night his intention was purely to fight corruption charges and he did not want to re-enter politics.

"I will go back home tomorrow to defend myself in a case in which I was unfairly accused....I will not get involved in politics or the People Power Party," he said, referring to the ruling party comprised of his loyalists which won December elections by campaigning as the proxy for Thaksin's former ruling party.

The ousted premier and his wife are charged with corruption in relation to the purchase of a Bt772 million (US$26 million) plot of land in Bangkok's Rachadapisek area in 2003, while he served as prime minister.

The former premier is accused of illegally influencing the deal and helping his wife purchase the government-owned parcel of land at a bargain price while he was in office.

Mr. Thaksin and his wife, who returned to Thailand last month and was released on bail pending trial, have both repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat who oversees the management of the Airports Authority of Thailand or AoT and Thai Airways International said the two organizations were prepared to prepare for Mr. Thaksin’s arrival.

Mr. Santi himself would go to welcome Mr. Thaksin at the gateside.

The former prime minister said he would board Thai Flight TG 603 from Hong Kong and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.40 am local time.

The Aot closed Zone G including the parking structure on since Wednesday and stepped up security with over 500 police were being deployed to provide extra security for his return. (TNA)










MCOT Political News : Last Update : 21:52:33 27 February 2008 (GMT+7:00)