Ousted Thai leader in China, not keen to return

Bangkok, Nov 2 (UNI) Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra living in self-exile in London since his ouster by a military coup d'etat is now in China but has no plans to return to Thailand soon, his legal advisor said here today.

Mr Thaksin's legal advisor also denied local media reports that the deposed leader had travelled to China to meet Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who was in the southern Chinese province of Nanning this week for the ASEAN-China summit.

The legal advisor, Noppadon Pattama, told a media conference this morning that Mr Thaksin was not trying to negotiate his return to Thailand.

''Mr Thaksin will not return to Thailand at least for now.

He travelled to China with no intention to meet Gen Surayud but for holidays and meeting his friends,'' he said.

The influential Thai language daily Matichon was told by Thai government sources that Mr Thaksin had sought a meeting with Mr Surayud but the latter had declined to meet him.

The leader of the 19 September coup d'etat, Army Chief Sonthi Boonyartakalin today confirmed that Mr Thaksin is in China.

Following his ouster, Mr Thaksin has been based in London where he has a house. The new rulers of Thailand have said it is not the right time for him to return.

Gen Sonthi who heads the all-powerful Council for National Security that appointed former army chief Gen Surayud as head of the interim civil government, said it was up to the Prime Minister to decide if Mr Thaksin should return to Thailand.

UNI XC SAM RAI1156