Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he harbors no ill-will toward the generals who deposed him and, if permitted back in Thailand, would like to invite them to a game of golf and call a truce.
In an interview broadcast yesterday, Thaksin insisted he has no intention of resuming his career in politics despite his allies victory in December 23 general elections.
"I want to return to Thailand as an ordinary Thai and don't need to have any position or salary," the tycoon-turned-politician said in an interview conducted on Tuesday with channel TITV from Hong Kong, adding that he wants to devote himself to "charity work."
Thaksin, who has been living abroad since the September 2006 coup, dismissed speculation that he would seek revenge against the generals who ousted him.
"I would invite them to play golf with me. Then, it will be over," Thaksin said, adding that revenge would solve nothing. "What would I get out of it? I might feel gratified, but the country would be damaged."
Coup leaders have said Thaksin is welcome back in Thailand anytime but will have to stand trial for corruption-related charges against him.
Thaksin's popularity remains strong among the rural majority, despite accusations against him of widespread corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin was prime minister for six years.
The People's Power Party (PPP), comprised of Thaksin's allies, came out on top in the country's first elections since the coup, winning 233 seats in parliament's 480-seat lower house.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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