July homecoming for Thaksin?

Exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrates his "best Songkran ever" with supporters in Laos as plans emerge for a possible July homecoming.

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Thaksin targets birthday

Red shirts aim for July return as 'present'

Nattaya Chetchotiros
Aekarach Sattaburuth

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated that the red shirts are preparing to take him back to Thailand this year as his birthday present, although he insists he no longer aspires to be a government leader again.

Thaksin said in an interview with the Bangkok Post in Hong Kong shortly before leaving for Laos that the plan by the red shirts and his close associates to bring him home by July was beginning to take shape.

He said the preparations were being made by staunch supporters who viewed him as contributing a great deal to the country.

His supporters could weigh the situation and know that what he had done benefited the country, so they wanted to give him a birthday present by taking him home, Thaksin said.

"It doesn't matter whether I can return this year. It's OK if I still cannot. But I think the country is on the path to reconciliation. I want to make sure all sides are happy," he said.

Thaksin's birthday is on July 26.

The former PM also said he did not feel up to becoming prime minister again if he returns to Thailand from self-imposed exile, even though red shirt supporters want him to be the central core of the movement and lead the government.

"That's impossible, even if I feel grateful to my supporters," Thaksin said before travelling to Laos on Wednesday.

"When I return to Thailand, I would rather take up teaching duties, apart from acting as an adviser to the prime minister. I am willing to teach at any institutions."

He said he was quite content to act as adviser to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, his younger sister.

"Today is not my day. I'm too old to do so many things like before," the ex-premier said.

Thaksin yesterday joined Songkran celebrations in Vientiane amid a healthy crowd of supporters. He received a blessing in a traditional ceremony joined by 129 Thai monks and 100 local monks at Wat Phra That Luang.

Seen by his side were core red shirt members including Tida Tawornseth, Kwanchai Praipana and Sutham Saengprathum.

Thaksin told his supporters that it was the best Songkran ever.

"This is the best Songkran I've ever had. I have a chance to make merit with my brothers and sisters who are from the other side of the Mekong River. This is as close as I can get to my homeland," he told the crowd.

Thaksin thanked his supporters who crossed the river to make merit with him and said he hoped their good deed would bring peace to Thailand.

"Wait a little more. It won't be long before I will go back to my brothers and sisters," he said.

exiled – forced to live in a foreign country, usually for political reasons ที่ถูกเนรเทศ
target – to try to get something ตั้งเป้าหมาย
aim – to have as your purpose or goal   มีเป้าหมาย  มีจุดมุ่งหมาย     
ousted – forced out of a position of power ขับออกจากอำนาจ
indicate – to show that something is true, exists or will happen แสดง, ทำให้รู้
insist – to keep saying very firmly that something is true ยืนกราน ยืนยัน
aspire – to want to achieve something or to be successful ตั้งปณิธาน
associate – someone you work with, especially in a business ผู้ที่มีความสัมพันธ์กัน (เช่น เพื่อน, ผู้ร่วมงาน, หุ้นส่วน)
staunch – always loyal in supporting a person, organization or set of beliefs or opinions จงรักภักดี, แข็งแรง
contribute – to be a part of a group or an activity and help it to be successful สนับสนุน
great deal – a lot; much
weigh – to consider something carefully before making a decision ชั่งน้ำหนัก, พิจารณา
benefit – to help someone มีประโยชน์ต่อ
it doesn’t matter – it’s not important
path – a plan of action or a way of achieving something เส้นทาง, วิถีทาง, แนวทาง
reconciliation – a new and friendly relationship with someone who you argued with or fought with การทำให้ปรองดองกันอีก,  การสมานฉันท์
feel up to – to have the strength and energy to do or deal with something รู้สึกว่าทำได้
self-imposed – of something that you do yourself to do rather than being forced by someone else อย่างสมัครใจ
core – the most active or most important members of a group แกนนำ
movement – a group of people who share the same aim and work together to achieve it การเคลื่อนไหวเพื่อวัตถุประสงค์ทางการเมือง
grateful – a feeling that you want thank someone because they have given you something or done something for you สำนึกบุญคุณ
adviser – a person who gives advice, especially somebody who knows a lot about a particular subject ที่ปรึกษา
security – protection; safety from attack, harm, or damage ความมั่นคง, ระบบรักษาความปลอดภั, ความปลอดภัย
tight – very strict and firm  เข้มงวด, กวดขัน, เคร่งระเบียบ
content – willing to do something; happy and satisfied with what you have or are doing พึงพอใจ
blessing – God's help and protection, or a prayer asking for this การสวดให้พร, การให้พร
traditional – of a custom, a way of life or a way of doing things that has not changed for a long time เป็นประเพณี,  ตามธรรมเนียม
local – in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about  ท้องถิ่น
deed – something that someone does การกระทำ