Despite his absence overseas, the former premier, who was forced to give up power in the military coup last September, received unanimous votes from 71 members present during the PGAT General Assembly Meeting at The Legacy Golf Club.

Only two names - the other being Torpong Chiyasarn - were nominated for the post. Torpong, a Thai Rak Thai Party member, withdrew from the race. Professional golfers Prom Meesawat and Thammanoon Srirot were among those who cast votes for the former premier.

Thaksin, who was invited by the PGAT's previous president Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, his close political ally, to succeed him when they met during the Pine Valley Beijing Open golf event last week in Beijing, agreed to accept the offer.

"He had two messages for the members. First, he intends to wash his hands of politics. Second, he plans to use some of his money from the Thai Com Foundation, which has approximately Bt2 billion in its coffers, to help improve education and sports,'' said Pongsak, whose term ended yesterday.

When asked how the new president would run the association while in exile, Pongsak said a team would be set up on Thaksin's behalf to run his policies.

"Although he is not in Thailand, work will proceed effectively,'' Pongsak insisted.