Thailand's military rulers will investigate the vast assets of toppled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and confiscate those he may have gained from corruption and abuse of power during his nearly six years in office. | It was all about the principles, right? |
Members of Thaksin's family have stayed in Thailand while he remains in London amid speculation they want to protect a fortune that soared after the telecoms tycoon-turned-politician took office in 2001. While he faces losing assets since coming to power, a well-placed source said: "The assets and money he had before he became prime minister will not be touched."
A spokesman for the leaders of the military coup said Thaksin can go back: "We still consider him a Thai citizen and he is welcome to return to Thailand."
The country's ruling military council, which toppled Thaksin last Tuesday in a bloodless coup, faces a host of urgent tasks, including restoration of peace in southern Thailand, where a Muslim insurgency has killed more than 1,700 people. Yesterday, four police officers were injured in the first attack since the coup, when a bomb exploded in Pattani province as they prepared security ahead of a visit later in the day by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. | "We shall have peace in our...DUCK [boom]!" |
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