No refuge in Manila

Written by Writer on Monday, November 10th, 2008

No refuge in Manila

As Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat headed to Manila for an official visit on Monday, the Philippines slammed the door on any hope that Thaksin Shinawatra might have to settle in the country.

Foreign Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin Sunday said Thaksin had not applied to visit, but the government would “politely” turn down any request for political refuge from the fugitive Thai leader.

He cited Manila’s “friendly” relations with Bangkok, the media in the Philippines reported on Monday.

As of Sunday, Ebdalin said the Department of Foreign Affairs had not received even feelers” that Thaksin wanted haven in the Philippines.

“Of course, he wouldn’t want to be embarrassed, that’s why I don’t think he would make such a request,” Ebdalin said. “He’s no ordinary figure. He’s a former prime minister of Thailand.”

Thai media and opposition openly wondered on Sunday if Mr Somchai would meet Thaksin, who supposedly was rumoured to be planning a visit to the Philippines.

Mr Somchai denied any such intent. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told the media in Manila that the country had not received any official word on whether Thaksin intended to fly to the Philippines.

There appears to be a number of countries willing to take in Thaksin, the Thai media said, mentioning the Bahamas and African countries. One newspaper reported a rumour that Thaksin was building an $8.5-million mansion in China, where he might take up residence.

The Manila media on Monday recalled that in 2003, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cited Thaksin’s “Thaksinomics,” or his economic policies, for enabling Thailand to recover from the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Addressing Makati businessmen that year, Thaksin offered this advice: “A politician always thinks about the next election, while a statesman always thinks about the next generation. If you think of the next generation, you can do a lot of change.”

Bangkok Post
Monday November 10, 2008