Ousted Thai premier in HK, wants peaceful life

HONG KONG, Nov 14 (Reuters) Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in Hong Kong today but declined to reveal his plans for the future or whether he would return to Bangkok any time soon.

Thailand's post-coup government has said he should stay in exile until after elections expected in a year.

''I give no interviews whatsoever and I don't want to say anything. I want to live my life peacefully with my family,'' Thaksin said after shaking hands with a Reuters reporter.

Dressed in a casual jacket, he was with his wife and a handful of aides in the lobby of a luxury hotel in the heart of Hong Kong's Central business district.

Military-appointed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has said Thaksin should not return to Thailand until after elections the leaders of the September 19 coup against him promised within a year.

''I don't want to say anything,'' Thaksin said today when asked about his political plans.

The new rulers in Bangkok remain nervous of Thaksin, winner of two landslide elections on the back of widespread popularity in the countryside, and have not yet lifted martial law despite the absence of concerted opposition to the putsch.

The coup was generally welcomed in Thailand as an end to months of political gridlock and tension generated by street campaigners who accused Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power, charges he denied.

The coup leaders struck while he was in New York at the United Nations and he has been living in London since.

A local newspaper reported that Thaksin was expected to leave Hong Kong later on Tuesday, and could be going somewhere in Southeast Asia. But there was no firm indication on where he was headed.

Reuters BDP GC1114