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BANGKOK: Thailand’s Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama affirmed
that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return to the country
“very soon,” when asked about the date in a TV program Monday.
Noppadon, who was former legal adviser to
Thaksin, gave the response when asked about when the former prime
minister will be back by Sanom Pao Station, a TV Channel 5 program,
according to the Bangkok Post news website.
Noppadon also explained about Thaksin’s
resumption of his diplomatic passport.
The new foreign minister said Thaksin, whose
diplomatic passport was revoked after the September 2006 military
coup toppled his government, now has the privilege of using the
red-cover passport once again after it was returned to him.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry earlier reinstated
Thaksin’s diplomatic passport on Saturday, less than two weeks
after Noppadon was appointed foreign minister of the new elected
coalition government headed by People Power Party, which is
closely tied with Thaksin.
Critics said this is a move to pave way for
Thaksin’s return.
The former premier has been living in a
self-exile overseas, mostly in London, since the coup. Earlier
reports quoted his close aides as saying he would return to Thailand
in April or May to fight the corruption charges against him in
court.
“In the past, every prime minister, whether
ousted or not, has received the special privilege of getting a
diplomatic passport. Therefore, to ensure that the Foreign
Ministry’s regulations are abided by, Mr. Thaksin should also get
one,” Noppadon said.
He described the way in which Thaksin’s
passport was revoked as “an illegitimate move” by the
coup-makers.
“Every former prime minister should be treated
equally and as foreign minister, I am here to ensure that,”
Noppadon said.
Thaksin has said he would come back soon and
will announce the exact date of his return on Tuesday, according to
what he declared when he phoned in to convey message to a crowd of
supporters rallying in Thailand’s northern province Chiang Rai on
Sunday.
-- Xinhua
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