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Everyone wanted to know how he was during his exile after the 2006 coup. Ahead of his return, all eyes were glued to see what he would do. When he fled to the UK again, all developments about him have become news. The latest concerned his "phone-in" session on Sunday. Ahead of the call, influential figures were asked to comment if that was possible and if that would lead to violence, as if his very "voice" was incendiary.

Well, eventually, nothing happened.

But that does not prove that he has lost the overwhelming attention. Indeed, his reputation has spread to lands as far away as Africa and the Atlantic Ocean.

Recently, the Bahamas - an independent, English-speaking country consisting of several islands - challenged Thailand's attempt to extradite Thaksin from Britain to face charges, saying that it was entitled to protect Thaksin who has become its honorary citizen.

In the news yesterday was the Togolese republic's plan to approach Thaksin to advise the African country regarding its budget. For those who don't know where Togo is: it is a narrow country in west Africa bordering Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. The French-speaking country extends south to the Gulf of Guinea.

Its President Faure Gnassingbé said that Thaksin's advice is necessary given that Togo's debts to World Bank and International Monetary Fund have been more than 10 years overdue.

Coincidentally, Idriss Déby, president of the Republic of Chad - a landlocked country in central Africa - was reportedly approaching Thaksin to advise on the shrinking size of the Chad Lake. A residence has been prepared for him in the capital, N'Djamena.

It is like the man in exile has become important somewhere else. Yet, it is clear that this must be part of his PR campaign. We all know that when he was in office, an agency was there to promote his government's policy. When he left, a foreign agency was hired for that work. The objective was clear: do everything to make sure that the man is not forgotten in his homeland.

Somehow, the campaign has been more than successful. Nobody forgets him, be they his supporters or opponents. While his phone-in to greet supporters at the Rajamangala Stadium lasted less than half an hour, his message was criticised in an hour-long session by the protesters.

Who could afford to forget this man?