HE'S COMING HOME

Like him or loathe him - and it's either one or the other for most people - the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is just a few hours from his return from exile. He's expected to arrive at Suvarnabhumi aboard a Thai Airways scheduled flight from Hong Kong around 9.30am this morning.
So what kind of message will this send to the outside world? Less than 18 months ago Thailand was plunged into turmoil with the coup, yet now the images that will be beamed around the world will probably show thousands of well-wishers greetings Thaksin on his return to the Kingdom.
Thaksin has promised on many occasions that he will not re-enter politics but there's little doubt his popularity was a major factor for the People Power Party's recent election victory. He's still immensely popular, and the next few days and weeks could be interesting.