As our ancestors used to say: "Ten mouths testifying do not equal what an eye sees". Love him or hate him, everyone should have a chance to experience Thaksin firsthand. With its much stronger "rule of law" and arguably greater open-mindedness when it comes to foreign investment, there's no better testing ground than England. He's the new kid on the block there now, a fascinating, albeit enigmatic, billionaire who has charmed his way into the heart of England's soul - soccer. Add the tragedy of being a democratic leader ousted by a military coup and he's simply irresistible.

He could turn into a big success, though. Knowing Thaksin, scams that rocked Italy's Serie A or triggered investigations in England over fishy transfer deals would seem like child's play. And this is a chance for the man to prove himself on the world stage, in a really competitive business, without the advantage of a monopoly. Yes, there will be rules or regulations to get around as usual, but he will no longer be in a position to change or distort those rules to suit himself.

He has been groomed long enough in Thailand and it's probably time to turn him loose on the world. We have nothing to worry about. If Thaksin wrecks Man City and causes political riots in Manchester, we can basically explain that they shouldn't have expected much from a failed product of Thai democracy in the first place. If he takes Manchester City to the Champions League next year, it will keep him busy over there for at least another 12 months.

Thaksin's Manchester City takeover must have provided inspiration to many mega-rich political leaders whose futures are not that secure. While in power, make sure you stack up a sizeable amount of cash overseas. Who knows, one day you might need it to buy a European soccer club and start anew. It didn't work in the old days but at present you can actually counter corruption charges, more or less, by associating with top coaches and world-class strikers.

In today's world, there's no such thing as "dirty" money - if it has travelled long and far enough, that is. But if the line is already blurred between acceptable business tactics and fraud, Thaksin is more than capable of blurring it further still. With Thailand now left with a bruised and confused conscience, it may be England's turn to, say, find new definitions for "rule of law" and "democracy" or differentiate between "bribes" and "rewards". "Honest mistake" is going international.

No need to seek his extradition. England has been seduced, and she will not let Thaksin go until she has had the whole of him despite the warning signs of things to come. Debate has erupted over whether corruption charges should be given greater weight than the fact that they were filed under an "illegitimate" military junta, or vice-versa. A Guardian blogger has been bombarded with criticism after he questioned Thaksin's integrity. "Thaksinisation" - the power to lure and divide - has also planted a foot in British parliament, with Labour MP David Taylor calling him an "unsavoury and flaky" foreign investor.

An extradition fight would drag an innocent England through the Thai political mud and cause a bilateral relations nightmare. Thaksin and his ousters have been bluffing each other childishly regarding his potential return. First, he seemed eager to come back, saying he had the right to do so, but the generals insisted it was their right to keep him at arm's length.

Then he threatened to sneak back and the military said his safety wouldn't be guaranteed. When they finally guaranteed his safety and asked him to come home to face criminal charges, he basically said: "I'm not that stupid. I don't want to die."

The bottom line is, the generals don't have much to lose if he does plan a longer exile.

As for Thaksin, the choices are even simpler: sitting in the director's box watching Manchester City play Liverpool in a football match broadcast live to Thailand showing his face once in a while to Thai people and political enemies - or possibly watching the game in a Thai jail.

City fans generally want him. The British authorities as of now apparently don't mind him. And he won't do Thailand much harm politically as he promotes honest mistakes in the transfer market. The situation is pretty much like that in Thailand in 2001 - Thaksin knows exactly what he's doing but those embracing him have do idea what they are in for.

I can't help but imagine famous soccer commentator Andy Gray's welcoming statement: "Thaksin Shinawatra ... Take a bow, son. Take a bow."

Tulsathit Taptim