Thaksin, Pojaman 'returning on Sunday'

Arisman Pongruengrong, a former Bangkok MP of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, said the couple would be flying back to Bangkok after attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. They are booked on Thai Airways International flight TG615 at 5pm on Sunday, arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.40pm.

Surakiart Sathirathai, a former foreign minister in the Thaksin government, yesterday said that if a person sought exile, the potential host country would only accept them if they were subject to political persecution at home.

"Like in the case of some African countries, when millions of people were killed. Then exile is allowed, because they are very extraordinary circumstances. But if it is a criminal case [as Thaksin is now facing], then it should not be considered a reason to seek exile," Surakiart said.

Arisman stressed that Thaksin's return trip fell under his original travel schedule, as the former prime minister has been making it clear all along that he would be fighting his court cases in Thailand.

"I would like to confirm that Thaksin and Pojaman will definitely return home. This is not part of any attempt to leak the news. On Sunday, there will be several core political leaders and MPs standing by at the airport to greet them," he said.

Earlier, there had been speculation as to whether the couple would return to report themselves to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, which has granted them permission to leave the country on a case-by-case basis.

The Supreme Court is holding a hearing into the Rachadaphisek land-purchase deal, in which both Thaksin and Pojaman have been accused of abuse of power by taking part in the bidding for land owned by the Financial Institutions Development Fund, a unit of the Bank of Thailand.

In another case, Pojaman has already been found guilty of tax fraud and is now trying to launch an appeal.

Rumours of Thaksin and Pojaman's possible plan to seek exile had boosted sentiment in the stock market, where investors feel the recent sell-off might have bottomed out due to an improvement in the political situation.

Citigroup's Thailand Investment Daily yesterday said a peak in volatility likely signalled a market bottom, as the current market looks attractive based on historical valuation ranges.

"Political uncertainty remains, but is so far well contained," the Citigroup report said.