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Published on August 6, 2007

Thaksin Shinawatra made his presence felt by throwing a big Thai-theme party at the Albert Square here following Manchester City's final pre-season friendly match against Valencia.

It was an appearance to introduce himself as a new force in British football.

Undaunted by the 0-1 loss to the Spaniards, manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and the players joined thousands at Saturday night's One City party.

It featured Frank Sinatra-tribute singer Cole Page. Thaksin has been dubbed Sinatra because of the similarity of their family names.

This is one of several video clips of Thaksin on stage from our special corrsespondent's blog. Visit her blog to watch more.

Tim Oscroft of the club's official web site wrote that more than 5,000 people enjoyed free Thai food.

Thaksin and Eriksson spoke and the club's new signings were introduced.

Fans chanted "Blue Moon", the 1934 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart ballad adopted by fans in the 1980s, to welcome their new owner.

Fans have high hopes Thaksin is willing to pay big money to rescue the club.

Thousands came to celebrate despite the Thomas Cook Trophy loss. "We lost today but it was a good match. Overall we are satisfied with the new players. As long as we can beat Man U, it's okay," one City fan said.

Thai restaurants from Manchester and London catered the event and partygoers queued for between 30 minutes and 45 minutes to be fed.

On the menu were chicken red curry, fried spicy chicken, prawn fried rice, fried noodles, barbecued chicken and duck and sticky rice with papaya salad.

There was plenty of fruit.

The show started at 6pm. Suttipong "Heart" Tadpitakkul was master of ceremonies and the evening commenced with His Majesty the King's anthem. Dancers and singers including the now-controversial Lydia, Saowalak "Am" Leelabutr and Mai Charoenpura.

To the strains of "It's Now or Never" Thaksin appeared with team members and Eriksson and British boxing sensation and City fan Ricky "Hitman" Hatton.

Thaksin thanked fans for their support and said he hoped to become a part of the Manchester community.

"We are pleased with the new owner. It's what we really need right now," said one.

Fans called for a top-10 finish to the season and Thaksin was encouraged to join in a chorus of "Blue Moon".

"Hey, we look on the sunny side. There are not many clubs that can get money to buy big players. We should be better this year," another fan said.

Thai expatriates joined in the fun and some wore shirts proclaiming they "Miss Thaksin".

Special Correspondent

MANCHESTER