Thaksin says waiting to return to Thailand to prove his family's innocence

Thaksin says waiting to return to Thailand to prove his family's innocence

	Published : Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:23 By : Agencies Print this Story

BANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday that he will eventually join his wife in Thailand to prove their innocence in court, once the political situation settles following last month's polls.

'I have long said that I will return to Thailand to prove my innocence and to fight for justice, but I do not want to trigger any conflicts that would worsen the situation,' Thaksin said in a statement on his website.

'I want to reassure you that when the appropriate time comes, I will return to Thailand to prove the innocence of myself and my family.'

Thaksin, who has lived in exile since the military toppled his government in September 2006, issued the statement after his wife Pojaman returned to Bangkok on Tuesday to defend herself against corruption charges.

She arrived as Thaksin's allies in the People Power Party are facing dozens of vote fraud complaints following last month's general elections, in which they finished just short of a majority in parliament.

Police escorted Pojaman to the Supreme Court immediately after she arrived on a flight from Hong Kong.

She was released after posting a total of 6.0 million baht in bail in two cases accusing her of corruption in a property deal and a fraudulent securities filing.

Thaksin also faces charges in both cases, and military-appointed investigators are still examining a raft of other complaints against him.

Thaksin said his wife had also returned to Thailand to pay respects to the late Princess Galyani, the sister of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on January 2.

'Pojaman is returning because the Thai people are mourning the loss of the princess,' Thaksin said.

'Pojaman, as a loyal subject of the king, wanted to return to Thailand to live her private life as a mother. She is returning to Thailand to be close to our children,' he added.

afp/nt

jg/nt

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.