Thaksin's return divides Thailand/Ex-prime minister's pledge to stay out of politics does little to assuage critics

Tetsuya Tsuruhara/Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

BANGKOK--Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return to his homeland Thursday after 17 months in self-imposed exile was warmly welcomed by some but shunned by others.

Thaksin insisted at a press conference after his return that he no longer wanted to be involved in politics. While Thaksin's supporters are still hopeful he will step back into the political fold, his detractors rolled their eyes at his claim.

The administration of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, which was sworn in last month as the country returned to democratic rule, could come apart at the seams as the public remains engrossed with--and divided by--Thaksin. Some observers have suggested that rather than uniting the Thai people, Thaksin's return could polarize public opinion even further.

"I was fingerprinted like a serious criminal," Thaksin told reporters at the luxurious Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok. "I regret that that happened."

The former prime minister spoke of his resolve to restore his reputation, which was left in tatters after graft cases that date back to 2003, and declared he was innocent of the charges against him.

Thaksin went out of his way to express his esteem for Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In a statement, Thaksin spoke of the return of democratic rule under a constitutional monarchy, made possible by the grace of the king.

"All of us should compromise and unite for our country and our beloved king," Thaksin said, wearing a black suit and tie to pay respect to the king's sister, who died in January.

Thaksin's display was seen as an attempt to deflect claims he had not treated the king with due reverence in the past, a sentiment that enraged forces loyal to the crown that ousted Thaksin in a bloodless military coup while he was out of the country in September 2006. Openly pledging allegiance to the monarchy likely was a strategic move made with an eye to a political comeback down the line.

In fact, Thaksin already has an opening: Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said Thursday that the government would consult with Thaksin on the economy, a move that would leave the door ajar for a return to power.

However, the People's Alliance for Democracy, a coalition of groups that helped oust Thaksin from power in 2006, has not rolled out the welcome mat for the former leader.

In a statement Thursday, the PAD said it did not believe Thaksin had washed his hands of politics, and said he wielded more authority than even the prime minister because he had formed the pro-Thaksin People Power Party--which won the most parliamentary seats in December's general election--as well as picking some members for the Thai House of Representatives and forming the Cabinet.

The main opposition Democrat Party also was cool on Thaksin's homecoming. One official said the party would closely watch Thaksin to see if he lived up to his word to stay out of politics, and reiterated that Samak is still the prime minister.

A rift also has opened between Thaksin and the loyalist prime minister. According to well-informed sources, Samak was given a rare private meeting with the king for about 40 minutes on Feb. 6, the day his Cabinet was sworn in. Although the content of their talks has not been publicly divulged, observers believe Samak would have told the king he would do all he could as prime minister to ensure Thaksin did not become so dominant again.

However, with public opinion split and Thaksin able to wield his political magnetism again, Samak could soon find running his administration becomes increasingly fraught with difficulty.