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<P class=header><STRONG>Thailand restores ousted PM Thaksin's diplomatic
passport<BR></STRONG><SPAN class=update>Posted: 25 February 2008 1302 hrs
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<P><SPAN>BANGKOK: Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has
been given back his diplomatic passport, which was revoked after a
bloodless coup against him in 2006, the foreign minister said Monday.
<BR><BR>Noppadon Pattama said his ministry had returned the travel
document more than a week ago, and that a date for Thaksin's return from
exile was likely to be announced on Tuesday. <BR><BR>The army-backed
government installed after the coup pulled the diplomatic passport, citing
security risks in the wake of deadly bombings on New Year's Eve in 2006.
<BR><BR>Noppadon was Thaksin's personal lawyer until allies of the fallen
premier swept back into power following a victory in an election in
December. He resigned as Thaksin's attorney after being appointed foreign
minister. <BR><BR>Noppadon, however, said he had nothing to do with the
ministry's decision to restore the diplomatic passport. <BR><BR>"They
considered the laws and decided to reinstate the passport," he told
reporters. <BR><BR>Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile since the coup,
mainly in Britain, where he owns the Manchester City football club.
<BR><BR>He has continued to jet around the globe on a normal passport, but
his new travel document will entitle him to more privileges with Thai
embassies overseas, courtesies normally extended to the kingdom's former
leaders. <BR><BR>Thaksin has told a court in Bangkok that he will return
in May to face corruption charges brought against him by the military
regime. <BR><BR>Noppadon said that Thaksin would announce an exact date
for his return on Tuesday, but that the ex-premier planned to divide his
time between Thailand and Britain, so that he can take care of his
football club. - AFP/ac</SPAN> </P>
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