Thaksin plans return, may advise winning party

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday he is willing...

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday he is willing to act as an adviser to the political party that won Thailand8217;s general elections and is now manoeuvering to forge a coalition government.

Speaking in Hong Kong, the self-exiled Thaksin said he will 8220;explore options8221; for a return from mid-February until April at the latest, but will not resume his political career after being ousted in a bloodless coup d8217;etat last year.

8220;I really want to go back as a normal citizen. Enough is enough for politics,8221; said Thaksin at a press conference in Hong Kong.

However, he said he would be willing to act as a political adviser to the People8217;s Power Party 8212; made up of his supporters and political allies 8212; if asked. The PPP won Sunday8217;s election in Thailand on a campaign pledge to bring Thaksin back.

Releasing the full results on Tuesday, the Election Commission said the PPP won 233 of the 480 seats in the lower House of Parliament.

However, these results may change since some victors may be disqualified after the commission finishes investigations into electoral violations. The Asian Network for Free Elections, or ANFREL, an Asian election watchdog, said Tuesday that pre-election vote-buying was 8220;pervasive8221; and that the military coerced voters in some instances.

Thaksin was ousted on September 19, 2006. He was abroad during the coup and has since lived in exile, mostly in London. He is legally barred from office, the courts dissolved his Thai Rak Thai Party, and he has been charged with corruption-related crimes.

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The victory of Thaksin8217;s backers in the People8217;s Power Party sent a powerful message that Thaksin8217;s mostly rural supporters would be happy to see him return, despite his alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Less happy about his return would be those who deposed him: the military, Bangkok8217;s educated middle class and the country8217;s elite, including elements associated with the country8217;s monarchy.