With regard to recent press reports on the distribution of Mr.Thaksin Shinawatra's New Year photo-book in which he expressed his wish to end his exile and return to Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to underline the following clarifications on behalf of the Royal Thai Government;

         First, the allegations by Mr. Thaksin in his New Year photo-book that the coup in 2006 represented the end of Thai democracy and that it has been the cause of his exile are completely misleading given the fact that there have been general elections, a functioning parliamentary system, and Constitution that has been endorsed by the Thai people through a referendum.

         Second, prior to the coup Mr. Thaksin’s administration was leading Thailand into a political conflict. The regime faced numerous serious allegations of corruption scandals, abuses of power, subversion of independent institutions and check and balance mechanisms, and human right violations, to name just a few.

         Third, public discontent took the form of protracted street protests leading to increasingly destabilising turmoil. With opposing groups of protesters on the brink of violent confrontation and the mounting detrimental effects of the political impasse on Thailand’s national security and economy, Thailand risked more violence and bloodshed.

         The bloodless coup of 2006 was therefore intended to restore stability and lay a solid foundation for Thai democracy. Indeed, Thailand had swiftly returned to parliamentary democracy in just over a year. The fact that Mr. Thaksin’s sister was able to contest in subsequent free and fair election and became prime minister is a clear testimony that the military did not intend to undermine democratic institution or usurp power for their own ends.

         Fourth, with regard to the self-imposed exile of Mr. Thaksin, this has everything to do with his intention to elude justice in various criminal charges he is facing at the moment. The Thai Court has issued seven arrest warrants for Mr. Thaksin for cases ranging from corruption, defamation to terrorism. Most of the trials are still on-going while in one case Mr. Thaksin was given a two year prison sentence.

         Lastly, the Royal Thai Government reiterates its unequivocal position to promote justice based on rule of law. In fact, it has never prohibited his return to Thailand. Mr. Thaksin's decision to go on exile is self-inflicted. On the contrary, the Thai Government encourages his return to confront the criminal charges in the judicial process accordingly.