Thai military chief "on the fence" on Thaksin's requested return

Thailand's army chief and Chairman of the military Council for National Security (CNS) Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Monday declined to specify just when "an appropriate time" for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand might be, saying that he was undecided on the issue.

The general was quoted by the Thai News Agency (TNA) as saying that the matter must be jointly discussed by the interim government and the CNS, which both need some more time to consider the issue. Their consideration will be based on national stability, peace and order, he said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont earlier said that Thaksin, now staying London after the Sept. 19 coup, called him asking to return home. Surayud replied his predecessor that he should choose "an appropriate time" to return.

On Sunday, Thai interim Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat further explained the "an appropriate time" as "after the martial law is lifted."

Commenting on calls for the lifting of martial law, Sonthi said on Monday that the law will be lifted when the situation is completely stable.

According to the TNA report, Thai intelligence agencies are still monitoring the situation as some political "undercurrents" remain in place. Nevertheless, the general said the military and the government will do their best to make everyone happy regarding this subject.

The CNS chairman said the decision about keeping martial law in force was not connected with Thaksin's desire to return to Thailand. He said he was unable to tell when the former prime minister should return home.

Source: Xinhua