Thaksin found guilty

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was today sentenced to two years' imprisonment in absentia over a corrupt land deal.

In a ruling that made him the first Thai politician to be convicted of corruption committed while prime minister, Thaksin was found to have violated conflict of interest rules in helping his wife buy land from a state agency at a reduced price.

The conviction was the first against Thaksin since he was ousted by a military coup in 2006, despite a raft of other corruption charges against him.

>>guardian.co.uk

Whilst it won't affect Thaksin's immediate status given he has no plans to return to Thailand anytime soon, there could be ramifications further down the line given the report suggest that his extradition is likely to be sought.

Thaksin was cleared of a more serious charge of abuse of power to obtain the land at a bargain price, and dismissed the guilty charge, saying "I had long anticipated it would turn out this way."

The issue of extradition was the main worry I had when he was still owner of the club, and whilst he does have approximately a 10% stake in the club still, the effect is nowhere near on the scale it would have been had he been at the helm.

Still, I don't see how the UK government deny the request given Thailand is no longer under military regime, a decision Thaksin will surely challenge, leading to a lengthy (and expensive) legal process.

UPDATE: The Express suggests Thaksin will sell his remaining 10% holding in the club following the verdict.

Thaksin to return from exile

The Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to return from exile to Thailand tomorrow in an attempt to clear his name.

"I think and I believe that Thaksin will return on the 28th," said the Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama of the country's former prime minister, who was ousted in a bloodless 2006 coup and is wanted on a corruption charge relating to his wife's purchase of a prime piece of Bangkok real estate while in office.

>>The Guardian.

Thaksin allies victorious in Thai elections

ALLIES of Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra have declared victory in the Thai elections. The PPP captured 233 of 480 seats in the lower house of parliament to win Sunday’s national election, it was announced. The rival Democrat Party was second with 165 seats, while the Chart Thai Party finished third with 37. The victorious People’s Power Party (PPP) is attempting to attract smaller parties to form a coalition government. Dr Thaksin lives in exile in London and the populist billionaire, ousted in a military coup last year, would face numerous hurdles if he attempts a comeback to political power. Dr Thaksin announced he will “explore options” about returning home in April at the latest. Speaking in Hong Kong, Thaksin said he would not resume a political career but stood ready to advise the PPP, made up of stalwarts from his outlawed Thai Rak Thai party.

-MEN.

There is plenty of in-depth analysis of the Thai elections from The Times, Channel 4, Independent, The Age and BBC, and one issue - or rather person, dominates the outcome - Thaksin Shinawatra.

Essentially, the PPP - formed from the ashes of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party hold sway in Thailand having secured just short of a majority in the vote. Undoubtedly the presence or influence of Shinawatra was a factor, with the PPP targetting the same voters as Shinawatra did in previous elections.

The biggest question now is probably 'What next?', as to form a government the PPP need to form a coalition with one of the other parties - something which hasn't been too forthcoming in the immediate aftermath of the election.

But whilst we may all hold a pressing desire to know what the political landscape in Thailand now looks like, probably for most City fans the effect this may have on the club and its future is maybe higher on the list of priorities.

It seems that every scenario ranging from he will return to Thailand a hero leaving City in the lurch to his assets will be unfrozen and billions will pour into the coffers in time for the January transfer window, and Thad Williamson raises some of the more pertinent questions in a post, paraphrased below:

1. What will happen to the court cases against Thaksin, which the Democrat Party still wants to see prosecuted in full?

2. Is Thaksin really capable of returning to Thailand and (after the initial splash of publicity) keeping a low profile, refraining from over-obvious political activity?

3. What are Thaksin’s long-term aims? Does he simply want to get his name cleared, his money unfrozen, and his ability to business restored? Is he happy to see out his days as a patron of sport?

4. If he does clear his name and get his money back, will he maintain continued interest in owning Manchester City? (The guess here is yes, for the time being.)

5. Will the investigation into the 2003 war on drugs initiated by the military government proceed under the new government, or simply be pushed to the background?

My gut feeling regarding the situation (and I am by no means knowledgeable regarding Thai politics) is that, like the issues of charges brought against him over the past six months, it will have little overall effect on the club in the short term.

Whilst the situation may now be favourable for a return, he has plenty of enemies still in Thailand and should he have any aspirations to go back in some political capacity, he would be extremely foolish to do so at this stage.

Far more likely is that he will continue with his 'day to day' business of being at the helm of the club, with substantial money undoubedly handed out if Sven so decides between now and the end of January. He has also put in too much time, money and initiatives to simply walk away at this stage - not to mention the impressive start the club has made under his tenure has surely done for his profile.

A high political profile is not likely given the still unstable situation, but a return to the country is likely - but I would have thought initially it will be a well choreographed and stage managed visit at this stage.

I also think the issue the pending charges against him (and his family) will remain 'as is' at the moment, being as it will be a political hot potato and any government formed would open themselves up to accusation should the charges be conventiently tossed aside.

So, as it stands, I don't believe much has changed in the life of Manchester City as far as Thaksin Shinawatra is concerned, but where the club and the country of Thailand are linked going forward is if Thaksin does express a desire to actively get back into political life - here is where the problems would undoubtedly begin.

Generosity or a PR stunt?

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Manchester City's billionaire Thai
owner Thaksin Shinawatra will pay for his country's national team squad to train
with his club to help their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Thaksin, the
coup-ousted former Thai prime minister, will bring the entire Thai squad to
Manchester for 11 days next month and will foot the lion's share of the bill,
Thailand's soccer president said on Tuesday.

"If we want to go to the
World Cup, this is what we have to do," Worawi Makudi told
Reuters.
"Manchester City are keen to help us, they signed some of our
players and they are happy to pay for our preparation."
Thailand, who have
never reached the World Cup finals, have been drawn with Japan, Oman and Bahrain
in the third round of Asian qualifiers.
Thaksin's critics say his $164
million takeover and his club's sudden interest in Thai players -- three of
which they recently signed -- are attempts to maintain a high profile in
soccer-mad Thailand with a view to returning to office.
The exiled tycoon
insists he has quit politics, although a party run by his supporters is expected
to win next month's general election, although not with an outright
majority.

-reuters.com

Perhaps a coincidence, but the Good Doctor has certainly been active with a series of goodwill gestures with the elections in Thailand now imminent.

Whilst not standing for office directly, maintaining a high (and popular) profile will undoubtedly help the party run by his supporters if they are playing the 'Thaksin card' during campaigning. And with charges still hanging over him, it will surely do no harm if the current regime in Thailand are removed from office.

I think Thaksin has certainly been impressive in how he has gone about things with the club since taking over, and accusations of human rights violations have not gone further than some mud slinging from various groups no doubt seizing a bit of publicity for themselves.

I do believe he has a genuine long term interest in the club, and it isn't a short term or get rich quick scheme for him, but there are valid concerns regarding how we may be used in any political manouevering. What I think would make for an interesting time of things, and perhaps concerning, is if the Thaksin's supporters do indeed gain control of the country.

I admit it doesn't sit easy with me the fact that Thaksin may well be utilising our start to the season and increased profile to further either his or his supporters political aspirations. Upto this point, there hasn't been anything concrete which has backed by the naysayers claims but we are definitely beginning to see an increase in Thaksin's profile back in his homeland.

Thaksin money clean says lawyer

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has nothing to fear from a Thai investigation of his purchase of Premier League football club Manchester City, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

"We don't need to pull our pants down to prove that we are innocent," Noppadon Pattama told reporters after the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) said it had begun a probe into whether the club was bought with legitimate financing.

The deal was legitimate and Thaksin was not concerned, he said.

"He is not not paying attention to this bid to discredit him, but working on how to make the City the number one club," Noppadon said of a team which has started the season well and now lies league after finishing the last season 15th.

-Reuters.

Our owner was also in the news again recently, given plans to release a DVD of his post-political career in Thailand ahead of the December elections - a move designed to gain support for his political allies claim his critics, but not so according to Noppadon; "If you like a leading actor named Thaksin, you're welcome to see it," he said. "For those who dislike him, but like his ideas, they should see it to utilise his approach."