Ex Thai PM Thaksin says he will return to Thailand

Photo: Ex Thai PM Thaksin says he will return to Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted ex Thai Prime Minister, promised to fight corruption charges in Thailand, but said Wednesday it would not be any time soon.

"I love my people, I love my family. I will definitely go back to Thailand, and I will find the right timing," Thaksin told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

He ruled out a return until at least after tentative elections slated for December, saying he did not want to be the cause of violent confrontation in the country.

Following months of demonstrations accusing Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power, the country's military leaders staged a coup which ousted him in September.

Since then Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants against Thaksin and his wife - who have been living in self-imposed exile in London - for allegedly violating stock-trading laws and on corruption-related charges.

Thaksin denied the charges and vowed to clear his name, but could not name a date for his return.

"After elections. That's my initial ideas," he said. "We probably have to wait for the new government to be installed ... but I have to wait and see."

Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon-turned-politician, led the government between 2001-06.

The military-appointed government has said it would return democracy to Thailand by holding general elections by the end of this year, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 23.

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved in May due to the involvement of senior party executives in fraudulent activities during last year elections. Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile since he was ousted and pledged to retire from politics.