Thaksin can return if he wants: Thai PM

Bangkok, Jan 20: Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra living abroad in self-imposed exile since his ouster by the September 19 military coup is free to return, the head of Thailand's interim civilian government said today.

''It depends whether Mr Thaksin would like to return or not,'' Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on a television programme this morning.

''Mr Thaksin himself is the one deciding not to come back now,'' the Prime Minister added.

Mr Thaksin was in New York to address the UN General Assembly when he was toppled by a bloodless coup d'etat led by Army Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin following months of massive street protests against the ousted leader.

UNI