TRT divided over return of Thaksin
Thai Rak Thai Party members are split over whether caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has taken leave of absence, should come back as premier if a new general election is called, a party source said.
Some party members think Thaksin could return after a fresh poll if any court nullified the April 2 election because it would be a completely new election, the source said. But others disagree. "They think Thaksin shouldn't return from his break until a new round of political reforms is finished," he said. Deputy party leader Somsak Thepsutin said Thaksin could legitimately return as premier. "We [senior party members] have discussed and agreed that Thaksin has already taken a political break and therefore could return to be the next PM if the April 2 election is nullified," Somsak said. Thaksin said two days after the election that he would not assume the premiership for a third term, but would stay on in name only until the House chose a new PM. However, Somsak said the country would go back to square one if any court nullified the election and announced a fresh poll. The new poll would take place under the present rule and would be a waste of another Bt2 billion, he said. Thai Rak Thai Samut Prakan MP-elect Pracha Prasopdee said Thaksin was entitled to present himself as the new PM because he had already stepped down. "We have to think of the voters' needs. They want Thaksin to come back again," he said.
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