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Tokyo: Ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra says he will return to his native land when democracy is restored and spend his time teaching and taking part in charity work.
In Japan to accept an invitation to become a guest lecturer at a Tokyo university, a haggard-looking Thaksin told a news conference yesterday that he also expected political normalcy to return soon.
Last week, a Thai tribunal banned Thaksin - unseated last September in a bloodless coup - from politics for five years and disbanded his Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thais) party.
"The government has promised elections in December, and now they already allow the political gatherings, and I think the democracy should return to Thailand soon.
"When democracy returns to Thailand, Thailand will prosper again and I will go back to contribute to the country as a normal citizen."
Thaksin, who now lives in London, may face trial on charges of corruption, one of the justifications given for the coup.
Thailand's cabinet agreed on Tuesday to let political parties resume activities, but Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said last week that his government had no plan to propose early amnesties for Thaksin and his party leaders.
Thaksin said last week that he accepted the decision banning him from politics, but urged his supporters to stay involved. Analysts said they expected a stepped-up campaign to rebuild his image.
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