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Sonthi dares Thaksin to return

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said Wednesday he doesn't believe ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return home because he could be killed.

Thailand was gripped on Wednesday by speculation on whether the deposed prime minister, who is in London, will return to defend his assets, frozen on Tuesday by the order of the Assets Scrutiny Committee.

Gen Sonthi said there are many people who oppose Mr Thaksin, and that his return could put his life in danger.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Mr Thaksin was free to return, and he would personally guarantee the safety of the ex-premier.

But Gen Sonthi insisted he was responding to Mr Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama, who said the decision will force Mr Thaksin to come back quickly to fight the charges.

Gen Sonthi said he has asked Foreign Ministry to explain to international communities about the issue, after Mr Thaksin's hired US-based law firm, Baker Botts, issued a statement asking communities to stop investing in Thailand after what it claimed was disrespect for international law by the military junta.

Baker Botts said freezing the Thaksin family assets "sent a powerful reminder to all that Thailand remains in the grip of military rule that is divorced from the rule of law" and that it had been authorised by Mr Thaksin to "vigorously evaluate all international options to protect his rights and interests."