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Thaksin in China, says Junta
02/11/2006 08:50 - (SA)
Bangkok - Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has left his home in London and gone to China, the leader of the coup that toppled his government said on Thursday.
"The foreign ministry has reported to the government that Thaksin is in China," junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told reporters.
"If Thaksin wants to enter Thailand, he has to ask permission from the prime minister," Sonthi added.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who was installed by Sonthi one month ago, said on Wednesday that he was willing to hold talks with Thaksin about his return if the billionaire tycoon approached him to make formal arrangements.
Thaksin was in New York when the coup happened on September 19, and had been living in self-imposed exile in London, where he has a residence.
Sonthi said he did not know if Thaksin had made contact with Surayud, but said a decision on his return would rest with the prime minister and not the Council for National Security, as the junta now calls itself.
"He has to talk to the prime minister, not the Council for National Security. That is the duty of the government," Sonthi said.
Sonthi did not say when Thaksin had arrived in China or where he was staying in the country.
Rumours that negotiations were under way for his possible return have swirled since Thaksin's wife Pojaman last week met former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, a top adviser to Thailand's revered king, apparently to seek permission for his return.
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