Thaksin will only return if granted amnesty: Chaiyasit

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Thaksin will only return if granted amnesty: Chaiyasit
By THE NATION
2011-04-16

Fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra would return to Thailand only if he were exempted from serving time in jail, his cousin retired General Chaiyasit Shinawatra said yesterday.

Chaiyasit added that the opposition Pheu Thai Party would seek royal amnesty for Thaksin if it won the upcoming general elections. "He will only return home if he does not have to serve the jail sentence," he reiterated.

The retired general also expressed confidence in peace returning to the country if Thaksin were able to come home, adding that the former PM would not demand that his seized assets be given back.

Chaiyasit served as Army chief and then supreme commander of the armed forces during Thaksin's reign.

In October 2008, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest. The case was related to Thaksin's wife Pojaman winning the bid to buy coveted land plots from a government agency while her husband was in power.

Last February, the Supreme Court ordered the seizure of Bt46 billion in Thaksin's family's assets because they were earned dishonestly while he was premier.

Chaiyasit said yesterday that Thaksin would personally pick Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, adding that the person would most probably be someone from the Shinawatra family.

He reckoned that Thaksin's |sister Yingluck was "qualified and ready" to become the candidate.

Meanwhile, the ruling Democrat Party said yesterday that the upcoming election would be a two-party contest and a battle between Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate.

"Thaksin is not related to the election. He is just part of the red shirts' political campaign outside Parliament," Democrat spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said.

However, Buranaj said the Democrats were concerned that Pheu Thai was trying to win the state power in order to "solve the problems of one person" - the self-exiled former PM Thaksin.

Buranaj added that on Wednesday the party would announce its policy platforms for the upcoming general elections, including ones aimed at increasing people's income and reducing the cost of living.

In a related development, Deputy PM Sanan Kachornprasart, who is also chief adviser to the Chart Thai Pattana Party, confirmed yesterday that Ruam Chart Pattana Party secretary-general Pradit Pataraprasit, who is also deputy finance minister, and his brother Winai were joining his party. Sanan added that many politicians from other parties would be joining Chart Thai Pattana ahead of the election.

Chart Thai Pattana is holding a function on Thursday to formally introduce its new members, party spokesman Watchara Kannikar.