(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-25 14:38

HONG KONG - Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday he wanted to return to Thailand in February, as he called for reconciliation with the military following weekend elections.

Former Thailand premier Thaksin Shinawatra addresses a press conference in Hong Kong. Former premier hailed the return of democracy to Thailand following weekend elections, and called for all parties to take part in reconciliation efforts. [Agencies]

Thaksin, who was deposed by a military coup 15 months ago, also insisted he did not want to return to politics following the polls, which saw his allies in the People Power Party (PPP) emerge as the biggest party in the new parliament.

"I will go back from February onwards," Thaksin told reporters in Hong Kong, in his first reaction to the election result. He declined to give a precise date, but said he hoped it would happen by April at the latest.

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"I want to go back when my life can be peaceful in Thailand, as a normal citizen," said the billionaire former telecoms tycoon, who has been living in exile mainly in London since the military seized power.

Thaksin struck a conciliatory tone, calling for national reconciliation and thanking the military junta for allowing the elections to take place.

"I would like to congratulate them (voters) for bringing back democracy for Thailand," he said. "This should bring reconciliation efforts by everybody."

"I urge every party concerned to forget the past and look forward to a bright and prosperous future for Thailand," he added.

Thaksin, who was in contact with PPP leaders throughout the election, said repeatedly that he wanted to quit politics when he returned to Thailand.

The junta dissolved Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party and in May this year a military appointed tribunal banned him and 111 senior party members from politics for five years.

"I am quitting politics, I am not going back to politics. I will not take any political position except when they want any ideas," said Thaskin, who is also the owner of Premier League football club Manchester City.

However he later indicated that he could change his mind if the situation in Thailand changed.

"I have no wish to go back to politics until I feel safe, and then I will have to assess the situation," he said.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej, who is likely to be the next premier, campaigned to bring Thaksin back to Thailand and there has been speculation a new PPP-led government would lift the ban on his involvement in politics.

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