Thaksin can return home 'but not now'

Surayud confirms phone call with deposed PM - By Achara Ashayagachat Nattaya Chetchotiros

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont says his deposed predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra, is welcome to come home, but the time is not right. Gen Surayud yesterday confirmed a direct telephone conversation with the former Thai Rak Thai party leader about the possibility of his return to Thailand from his exile in London.

But the government will decide later on the right time for Mr Thaksin to come home, the premier told reporters after returning from his visit to Laos.

''I told him it's the right of all Thais to return to their homeland. But the timing must be right, and we have to discuss the details,'' Gen Surayud said. ''His return is related to several other issues.''

A government source said Mr Thaksin made a long distance phone call to Gen Surayud last week. Earlier, the deposed premier reportedly called Gen Winai Phattiyakul, defence permanent secretary and secretary-general of the Council for National Security (CNS), several times to seek permission to come home.

Former deputy leader of the shrinking Thai Rak Thai party, Sudarat Keyuraphan, was surprised the calls were made.

Right after the Sept 19 coup, the CNS, then called the Council for Democratic Reform, demanded Mr Thaksin meet three conditions before returning to Thailand, she said. The demands included he order all party members to end political activities, delay his return to Thailand and quit politics.

''Now, it is not yet the right time for him to come back. Personally, I think he should wait for a while. In fact, he already did the three things the CNS asked for,'' said Khunying Sudarat, also former agriculture and cooperatives minister.

Mr Thaksin is now staying with his family in a London apartment.