Thaksin will return to the UK after trial

Thaksin emerged from one week of political oblivion since his return last week. He said he spoke to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej over the phone but did not touch on the political issues. He admitted that politicians dropped by to talk to him since he came back to Thailand last week.

Asked if he had a good sleep in Thailand, Thaksin said he did not feel any changes in the country.  "I sleep in the many countries and has just slept in Thailand a few days. But I realise that this is Thailand because when I woke up in the middle of the night, I heard the buzzing mosquitos,'' he said.

He denied reports that he would become the government's chief economic advisor. He said he would carry out an academic role for chairty work. He said he did not worry about the country's economy because the government has come up witha good economic stimulus package.

He said if he had an opportunity, he would pay respect to Privy Council chief General Prem Tinsulanonda because he is the country's respectable senior figure.

Thaksin, who is president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand was speaking after a meeting with the PGAT at the former headquarters of the Thai Rak Thai Party on Rajavithi road.

His recent interview with the Financial Times against the Surayud government and the Council for National Security grabbed the  media's attention.  Thaksin has kept his distance with the Thai press over the past week after the media hype on his return.

The Nation