By Richard Lloyd Parry in Dubai
Times Online
The ousted prime minister of Thailand and opposition leader-in-exile Thaksin Shinawatra has called for reform of the country’s revered monarchy and spoken of his expectations of a “shining” new age after the passing of the ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Mr Thaksin’s remarks, which touch on some of the most sensitive areas of Thai politics, come as he prepares to return to South East Asia from his exile in the Middle East in a move that has provoked political turmoil in Bangkok. Tomorrow he is due to arrive in Cambodia on a visit that has caused an intense diplomatic row between the two countries.
The appointment of Mr Thaksin as an “adviser” by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has angered and humiliated the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and raised suspicions that Mr Thaksin is plotting a political comeback from a base in Cambodia. The two countries have withdrawn their ambassadors and there are fears of military skirmishes along their disputed border after deadly clashes last year.
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