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Published on February 27, 2008

But a source from the People Power Party, who met Thaksin in Beijing last week, said the former PM would return to Bangkok with his son Panthongtae and some party members.

They would catch a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong and land at Suvarna-bhumi Airport at around 9.45am on Thursday, he said.

There were no further announcements on his

schedule yesterday. Thaksin phoned a gathering held by supporters in Chiang Rai last Saturday to tell them he would announce the exact date of his return yesterday.

There was no further news about his return on pro-Thaksin websites yesterday.

The former premier had been due to issue a statement by noon with the schedule for his return, including the date and flight number on www.truethaksin.com.

But there were no details on the Hi-Thaksin.net website, which urged supporters to gather at Suvarnabhumi this morning to welcome the deposed PM home. The site also set up a section for readers to write a welcome statement for him.

The media rushed to a press conference, which was expected to be held by former Thai Rak Thai executive Sansanee Nakpong at SC Park Hotel. But she denied being assigned to do the job.

However, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said that Thaksin would return by a private flight to the new airport, and that the ousted PM would announce the arrival on his website yesterday.

As of press time, no further news of Thaksin's return was given.

The People Power Party had requested to hold a welcoming rally for the former prime minister on Thursday at Suvarna-bhumi, authorities said.

"The Airport Authority of Thailand is considering to designate a rally site within airport grounds that would not cause any inconvenience to other passengers," AoT president Chana Yusathaporn said.

Samak Sundaravej said: "How can I feel shaken by Thaksin's return? I'm the prime minister. He is out of politics. He's not the prime minister any longer."

Meanwhile, Nanthasak Poonsuk, a member of a panel scrutinising the Ratchadaphisek land fraud, said he would consult with the Attorney General as to whether Thaksin should be allowed to place a bond as bail for his release once he surrenders to the authorities.

The case of Thaksin is different from his wife Pojaman, because he would be asking for a bail with a condition that he be allowed to leave the country to conduct private business.

The Nation