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Exiled leader calls shots as junta stumbles (By RICHARD LLOYD PARRY)

WHEN THE THAI Prime Minister was deposed in a military coup last September it was hard to imagine a more decisive end to a political career. Bundled out of power during a visit to New York, Thaksin Shinawatra went within a matter of hours from being one of the richest and most powerful men in Asia to a private citizen forced into exile in London.

Yet four months after this humiliating exit, driven out by a junta of generals, Thaksin is a dominant force in Thai politics without setting foot in the country.

He precipitated an international row on Tuesday when, in Singapore, he gave his first interviews since the coup. He denied accusations that he was behind the new year bombings that killed three people in Bangkok and accused members of the Thai military of making three attempts on his own life.

The post-coup Government in Thailand promptly suspended a civil exchange programme with Singapore in protest.

The coup leaders were also accused of censorship after an appearance by Thaksin on CNN on Monday night was blocked in Thailand. A senior general asked broadcasters not to give airtime to the former prime minister. Websites quoting the interview were blocked by Thai internet servers.

Thaksin has been accused of destabilising Thailand but, as the military-backed Government struggles to manage the floundering economy, more and more people are looking back on his five years in power with nostalgia and even admiration.

Thaksin said of the bombing rumours: “It’s baseless allegations – no one believes so. I do everything for the good of the country and the people ... I would like to express my deep sympathy – deepest sympathy – for those who lost their loved ones and also all those who are injured. And the individuals who are involved must be brought to justice.”

Thaksin is a former police officer who became a billionaire as head of the Shin Corporation, a mobile phone and media conglomerate. His Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party came to power in 2001; he was re-elected in 2005 and in a snap election held last year after widespread protests. His enemies, mainly among the urban middle class, accused him of using his wealth to compromise human rights and freedom of the press, and of undermining the constitutional checks and balances on his own power. He was adored by rural Thais, who felt themselves to be unrepresented by the mainstream political establishment.

The Council for National Security, as the coup leaders call themselves, has promised to step down and hold elections by October. Progressive Thais who were grateful for the removal of Thaksin have become increasingly mistrustful of its efforts to interfere in the country’s media.”The ruling authorities ... would prefer that the media perform the role of promoting national unity (and) harmony,” Kavi Chongkittavorn, a commentator, wrote this week. “What they fear the most is the media taking up a watchdog role.”

Relief at the departure of Thaksin has given way to increasing doubts about the competence of the coup leaders. Two weeks on from the Bangkok bombings, investigators have made no arrests. And foreign businesses are anxious about restrictions on foreign investment, in the name of economic “self-sufficiency”.

-THE TIMES

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