Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday called on Thais to reconcile their differences for the sake of the country as he celebrated his 64th birthday in Beijing.
Hundreds of Thaksin Shinawatra supporters pray for the ousted prime minister on his 64th birthday at Wat Kaew Fah in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi on Friday.A big birthday cake, featuring an image of Thaksin,was divided amongthe well-wishers. The event was hosted by Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
His call comes ahead of the new parliamentary session set to begin on Thursday, during which the ruling Pheu Thai Party is expected to press ahead with a controversial amnesty bill on Aug 7.
Some political observers viewed his remarks as a signal for the ruling party to ready itself to push through the amnesty bill even though it is opposed in several quarters.
More than 100 MPs and ministers from Pheu Thai on Friday flew to Hong Kong to extend birthday wishes to Thaksin who will fly from Beijing to meet them in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Thaksin on Friday phoned in from Beijing to address well-wishers who attended a merit-making ceremony to mark his birthday at Wat Kaew Fah in Nonthaburi. Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit presided over the ceremony.
In his phone-in address, which lasted about three minutes, Thaksin thanked his supporters for not forgetting him in the seven years since the coup which ousted him and said that wherever he goes, he is always thinking of ways to solve Thailand's problems.
He said he would like to see happiness and reconciliation in Thailand, as well as an end to divisions.
He expressed similar thoughts in a video posted online by his son, Panthongtae Shinawatra.
In the video, Thaksin said he was ousted by a military coup when he was 57 years old.
"At the time, I thought that I should probably make merit on my 60th birthday abroad and not stay in Thailand because 'they' would definitely come to get me," Thaksin said.
"But the most important thing is that my brothers and sisters have not forgotten me. Now, I'm 64. I understand that my brothers and sisters will make merit at several temples, hoping for me to return to serve them.
"I thank you all for not forgetting me and for offering me your merit so I can have a chance of returning home and staying with my family."
By "brothers and sisters", Thaksin was referring to his red-shirt supporters.
He said he often felt lonely and missed Thailand and his family, but friends and supporters regularly visit him in Dubai.
"People say that the best Thai restaurant in the world is at my home in Dubai, because of the delicious food from different provinces brought by my visiting brothers and sisters," Thaksin said.
"Of course, just eating is not enough. I haven't slept on Thai soil for a long time. I miss Thailand, but I have to be patient because there is some kind of duty that I must do.
"I'm worried for Thailand. There are problems that can be solved but are left unsolved due to the lack of trust and the rifts between us.
"If we turn and talk to each other, create unity and discuss ways to deal with the problems in the country's best interests, I'm confident that our country will prosper again."
He said national reconciliation is a top priority and it does not matter when he will be able to come back home.
If conflicts continued, it would hurt the country's economy and affect neighbouring countries' confidence in and respect towards Thailand.
A group of 80 MPs, along with their spouses, led by Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Vejjayachai, was the first group to fly to Hong Kong on a Bangkok Airways charter flight.
Science and Technology Minister Peeraphan Palusuk and Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt reportedly are among another group of about 30 MPs, most of whom are members of the House committee vetting the 2014 Budget Bill and the committee scrutinising the 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill, making the trip.
Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said the amnesty bill, which critics say is aimed at bringing Thaksin back to Thailand, would not be discussed in Hong Kong.
Thaksin attends a cultural relationship event Friday in Beijing where he celebrated his birthday with his children. He will fly to Hong Kong on Saturday.