THAKSIN LEADS RACE TO BUY MAN CITY

Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is reportedly leading the race to buy Manchester City Football Club. Whether he succeeds or not, Thailand already has influences in English football. Chang, a Thai beer, is the current shirt sponsor of Everton Football Club, and during yesterday's match between Reading and Newcastle I saw pitch side advertising for Singha, it's main competitor.
Thaksin isn't short of money and he's already made London his new home. Thailand is football mad and I can't help but wondering whether he might be tempted to use the club, if he is successful, to get to the hearts and minds of the Thai people.