THAKSIN ON LINE ONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 007359

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAKSIN ON LINE ONE


Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called the
Ambassador on December 8 from Beijing. After initial
pleasantries, he asked about the upcoming visit of former
President Bush to Bangkok. The Ambassador replied that the
former president was coming to honor the King's 60th
anniversary on the throne. Thaksin recalled that this visit
in the King's honor was one of his initiatives while he was
in office. He asked whether the former president would call
on Prime Minister Surayud. The Ambassador explained that we
expected Surayud to attend the dinner, but there would be no
separate call on him.


2. (SBU) Thaksin remarked on the US efforts to promote a
return to democracy in Thailand. He said that he welcomed
this, not for his own sake, but because it was "good for the
country." Thaksin told the Ambassador that he would soon be
leaving Beijing to travel to southern China. After a few
more pleasantries, he wished the Ambassador a happy new year,
and rang off.


3. (C) Comment: Thaksin sounded relaxed and happy. He has
called only one other time since the coup (to thank us for
assistance when he got his tourist visa). We presume that he
mostly wanted to follow up on news reports of the Bush visit
(which was, in fact, a Thaksin initiative.) Although it may
be known that the former president's delegation is proceeding
to Beijing from here, Thaksin did not suggest a meeting in
China or request to pass along any message. Thaksin's
extended vacation in China -- so close to Thailand -
heightens the interim government's anxiety level, which may
explain why he's planning to stay there for a while longer.
End comment.
BOYCE