• 
• 
• 

"I did not expect so much love and faith. Many people have taken activities involving my birthday to their hearts," Thaksin was quoted as telling one of his close aides. Thaksin also thanked his supporters for their devotion to making it a big event.

He said an international magazine would interview him about politics and record his birthday celebrations for a scoop about his life in exile.

He thanked a famous artist whom he did not name for writing a song called "I shall return" as a birthday present, saying it had immense spiritual value to him because every word truly reflected his feelings and his life. He said he would sing it for Thais as a big surprise.

He also thanked those who were going to hold black-magic rites to boost his luck, though he said he did not rely on black magic as a support in his daily life. Responding to Thaksin's apology, Thepthai Senpong, personal spokesman for the Democrat Party leader, said none was needed because people realised that Thaksin was an inveterate hogger of the spotlight even in the villain's role.

Thepthai said Abhisit was a national leader solving the country's problems. "Thais can tell the hero from the villain,'' he said.

He noted that Thaksin was somewhat illogically thanking the red shirts for a birthday party which he had specifically forbidden at Sanam Luang.