Former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra today "humbly" urged the country's king to intervene to resolve its political rift and called on his supporters to act peacefully.
The self-exiled Mr Thaksin, ousted from power in a coup in 2006, also told Reuters in an interview he lacked the resources to finance a political comeback, although he would return to Thailand if "the country and the people really need me . . . I want to be part of the solution."
Thailand has been wracked by political violence in recent days, with "red shirt" supporters of Mr Thaksin disrupting and forcing the cancellation of a major Asian summit over the weekend in the resort town of Pattaya.
Government forces and "red shirts" then squared off in the capital Bangkok, and there were also fights reported between residents and protesters.
At least two people were killed and more than 100 were injured in violent confrontations. Mr Thaksin says 60 died.
Faced with overwhelming government force on Tuesday, the pro-Thaksin forces backed down, but the underlying rift between urban, elite and middle class elements of Thai society who oppose Mr Thaksin and his rural backers remains.
"I would humbly urge his majesty (to) come and help heal this rift," Mr Thaksin told Reuters in Dubai, one of several foreign cities he has been staying since leaving Thailand last year, under the threat of various legal charges.
Mr Thaksin repeated accusations the government, not his followers, had instigated the violence. He claimed the "red shirt" protests had been infiltrated by troublemakers.
"I emphasise for them to be peaceful," Mr Thaksin said of his supporters.
The former prime minister, who made millions from telecommunications before entering politics and is generally considered a billionaire, said his resources had been exaggerated and that while he had enough for everyday living and travel, he lacked the resources to finance a political comeback.
But asked if he would participate in Thai politics again, he said: "If the country and the people really need me, I will do it. I want to be part of the solution."
Reuters
