Former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra gestures before he meets his supporters during the last day of the Khmer-Thai New Year at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province Apr 15, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK (AP) - Exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrated Thailand's most important holiday in neighbouring Cambodia this weekend, telling thousands of fervent supporters who crossed the border to meet him that he intends to return home soon on his own terms.
Thaksin, ousted by a 2006 military coup after being accused of abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy, led a song-filled rally to mark Songkran, the Thai New Year. Between appearances on stage, he worked the crowd in a manner recalling his past political campaigning.
Thaksin, 62, has been living overseas since jumping bail in 2008 to avoid a two-year jail term on a corruption conviction he says was politically motivated. Saturday's event, just a few hours' drive from north-eastern Thailand, raises the question: Will he be celebrating the next Songkran at home?
Thaksin - by far Thailand's most divisive politician - has said in the last few days that his return will be 'in the next three to four months,' 'not so long,' and when 'everything is stable.'
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