Thaksin says he wants to help Japan's quake reconstruction efforts+

DUBAI, Aug. 16 Kyodo -
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday he intends to visit areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan during his trip to the country next week and see what Thailand can do to help Japan in its reconstruction efforts.
Japan issued a visa to Thaksin, who is living in exile in Dubai, after the Thai government led by his sister Yingluck Shinawatra asked Tokyo to allow her brother to visit.
''My intention is to visit the tsunami site to see whether we can render any kind of cooperation or assistance,'' Thaksin said in an interview with Kyodo News.
Thaksin, who is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Aug. 22, cited three areas where Thailand can play a role, including helping Japanese businesses affected by the earthquake and tsunami relocate to Thailand and issuing long-stay visas to tsunami victims who want to heal themselves in Thailand.
After visiting the disaster area, ''I will write to the Thai government (to urge it) to consider what they can work together (to do) with the Japanese government,'' he said.
Commenting on domestic Thai politics, Thaksin insisted he is not officially involved with the new government led by Yingluck, saying he only gives advice when needed.
''Leadership lies with the prime minister. I just give advice when needed. I don't give advice every day,'' he said.
Thaksin said he will keep a distance with the Thai government or with the Thai military and that he hopes to see reconciliation in the country.
Thaksin, who was Thai prime minister from 2001 until being deposed in a military coup in 2006, has been living abroad ever since to avoid a two-year jail term over a conflict-of-interest conviction.
The Japanese government said Monday a visitor's visa had been issued to Thaksin based on a ''comprehensive'' judgment in response to a request from the Thai government.
The Japanese immigration control law does not allow the entry of a person who has been found guilty of a crime and given a jail term of more than one year.
Exceptions can be made, though, with the justice minister issuing a special permit for a person if circumstances allow.