Billionaire Thai PM hits the road

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New Delhi: Thailand's billionaire Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ruling the nation with an iron hand till the military coup on Tuesday night, is suddenly out on the street, stripped of power, assets and barred from his own country.

The coup leaders announced on Tuesday immediately after the armed takeover that Thaksin won't be allowed to enter the country for the time being.

They have not yet spelt out how Thaksin will figure in their future scheme of things or if they have any specific plans to deal with him.

Thaksin was in New York on Tuesday when the military pulled off the coup. He was staying at a plush hotel, waiting to give a speech to the UN General Assembly.

Cut off, 11 times zones from home and with his political fate hanging by a thread, Thaksin launched a desperate, cross-continental rearguard action on Tuesday night as the army tanks moved in on the power centre.

But as the coup raced to a climax, communication links soon went off. It's an ironic twist for a man who made billions from telecoms, but couldn't get in touch with home, after rebellious troops seized government communications lines.

Thaksin cancelled his planned speech at the UN on Wednesday morning and agency reports said he was preparing to leave New York. Thai ambassador to Washington, Virasakdi Futrakul, told journalists outside Thaksin's hotel that the PM was preparing to leave New York.

He did not say where the PM might go from US. On his part, Thaksin has boldly stated that he will return to Thailand, but unofficial reports said the beleaguered Thai PM may proceed to London from United States.

"The PM has not given up his power yet. He is not seeking asylum," Bangkok Post quoted Tom Kruesopon, a member of Thaksin's party, as saying.

According to a DPA news agency report from Bangko, Thaksin's family and their close friends have already fled the country. In fact, they had left by the time a military clique led by the Army commander staged the coup on Tuesday night.

Thaksin's wife Pojaman, who manages his fortune, flew to Singapore on Monday night. Sudarat Keyuraphan, one of Thaksin's closest allies, has flown to Paris. Other Cabinet ministers also left the country on Tuesday itself.

The Administrative Reform Council, as the coup makers have dubbed themselves, have reportedly 'detained' some Cabinet ministers and other close Thaksin allies. The council, led by Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, mobilised troops and tanks throughout Bangkok, the capital, on Tuesday night in an unexpected coup d'etat while the premier was away.

Thailand has witnessed about 20 coup d'etat since a group of disgruntled army officers and government officials overthrew the absolute monarchy in 1932, and put in its place a democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

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