Thai prime minister returns to full-time duties

Embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resumed his duties full-time Tuesday as opponents planned to muster more street demonstrations and lawsuits to force his ouster.

Photo: Thai prime minister returns to full-time duties

Faced with protesters accusing him of abuse of power and corruption, Thaksin took a 49-day "break" from the political arena, appointing a caretaker prime minister and taking several trips abroad.

"Yes, I am coming to work full-time and will chair every Cabinet meeting," Thaksin told reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting.

His appointment of Chitchai Wannasathit as caretaker prime minister was expected to be revoked later Tuesday.

Nakhon Chompuchart of the Law Society of Thailand said he had earlier filed a lawsuit against Thaksin, asking the Administrative Court to rule on his status and charging that the prime minister had taken an illegal leave of absence. The leader of the opposition Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thaksin's return would create more political and legal turmoil.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, an umbrella group which orchestrated months of street protests, said demonstrations against Thaksin would resume after celebrations in early June marking the 60th anniversary on the throne of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"Thaksin resuming the position while charges against him are pending shows that he totally ignores the legal system," Nakhon said.

Bancherd Singkaneti, a law professor at Bangkok's Thammasat University, said Thaksin lost his status the day he submitted a letter for his leave of absence because the letter said his break from politics would extend until a new government is formed following an election, reports the AP.

I.L.