Even the mega-rich can be short of a few bob

The shocking extent of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's financial difficulties at his Manchester City football club was revealed yesterday as it emerged that only last month he had to borrow ?2 million (Bt123.3 million) from former chairman John Wardle to pay staff wages, according to the UK's Daily Mail.

Sportsmail revealed that Wardle, who resigned from the board on July 9 in protest over Thaksin's reign at the club, was so concerned City staff were not going to be paid that he agreed to loan the club owner ?2 million for the third time in less than a year.

Although Wardle has been repaid and no staff wage payments were missed, it is clear that City are operating on a hand-to-mouth basis each month. There are fears within the club that the problem will recur, with Wardle no longer around to bail Thaksin out.

Wardle would not comment, but he is known to be distraught at the manner in which the club he sold last summer is struggling under Thaksin's leadership.

Thaksin has invested considerably less of his own money in City than first thought and has been seeking fresh investment while relying more heavily on borrowed capital.

But it seems Thaksin, Bt6.9 billion of whose wealth has been frozen in Thailand following an order by the now-defunct Assets Examination Committee, will never lack cash to spend on shopping.

As soon as Thaksin and his wife Pojaman skipped bail and went into exile on Monday, the Shinawatra family was seen shopping in Guildford, Surrey, in the Southeast of England.

Apparently, they are never too exhausted when it comes to shopping.

Many political observers were relieved after Thaksin's handwritten statement was read out on television on Monday. If he decides not to return to Thailand, as the statement said, the country could go into reconciliation mode.

On the other hand, many are now wondering whether the People's Alliance for Democracy, the anti-Thaksin and main campaigner against the current government, should end its activities.

Is it justified for PAD to continue to protest as Thaksin, the root cause of the problem, has already fled the country?

A PAD source said there was disagreement among the movement's leaders.

"If Thaksin really goes into exile, we will end our campaign because our mission [to oust him] is completed," Sondhi Limthongkul was quoted as saying.

"We will continue the protest, because ousting this government is our mission," Chamlong Srimuang was quoted as saying.

Is that a sign of reconciliation?