Thai government and opposition argue about Thaksin's return home

BANGKOK, March 13 (TNA) - The possibility of exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return to Thailand has remained a topic of arguments between the government and the opposition. Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that Thaksin could actually return to Thailand right away, but he would have to accept court rulings and serve his sentenced jail term, notingif Thakin returned home without being jailed, the Pheu Thai Party-led government would have to pass an amnesty law for him or do something to the effect. According to the opposition leader's comments, government figures have usually claimed that amnesty will benefit everyone but its real goal appears to bring Thaksin back to Thailand comfortably. The Thai opposition leader called for a clear direction of the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition administration, saying that conflicting partners in the nation are now Thaksin's movements and the Thai state and as Premier Yingluck now represents the Thai state, she needs to say how she will handle issues related to Thaksin, who was sentenced to jail, as the Pheu Thai Premier is Thaksin's younger sister. As Thaksin reportedly plans to visit Cambodia while Thailand is about to negotiate marine interest with the neighboring country, Abhisit said he hoped Thaksin would protect the national interest. The opposition leader pointed out that Thaksin had expressed clear interest in energy development in an overlapping area of Thai and Cambodian waters, and that Thaksin's energy projects would result in Thai people continuing to face expensive energy. Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua said Thaksin was unfairly treated in Thailand's past coup d'etat in September 2006 and political incidents subsequently, and that bringing Thaksin back to Thailand is part of the national reconciliation process. Natthawut acknowledged that an amnesty bill has been in the making process, claiming that the majority of Thai people appear to want Thaksin back and those who oppose Thaksin's return are only political parties losing their interest. (TNA)