Games the ex-premier still plays

The lack of participation of Western leaders largely reflects their ties with China and their stance towards human rights issues, including Tibet.

But in Thailand, it has been more a case of who is going from Bangkok. And so it came as a bit of surprise when news broke out that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, will be attending the opening ceremony.

It should be noted that the Shinawatra family's tag-along, pop star Lydia Sarunrat Visutthithada, will be representing Thailand at the sing-along session of the ceremony.

No one knows how Thaksin managed to secure tickets for the Friday opening. Some say Thaksin was invited in his capacity as honorary adviser of the Olympic Committee of Thailand. Others suspect that Thaksin got the tickets from his buddy, Yian Pin, a high-profile tycoon who has connections in the powerful Communist Party of China.

Like all diplomatic events, strict protocol will be enforced. Samak, in his capacity as Thailand's head of government, will be sitting at his designated seat. Where one sits at this prestigious photo-op reflects one's importance.

Samak's last VIP photo-op was in Vientiane, but the PM opted for the bathroom due to a stomach upset.

No one is sure where Thaksin and Pojaman will sit. If he has his way, the ousted Thai premier would probably be rubbing shoulders with other invitees, including VIPs, foreign dignitaries and royalties.

A Thaksin-Samak encounter would be interesting indeed. From day one in his capacity as PM, Samak has tried to present himself as his own man - not one of Thaksin's flunkies or nominees. But most people are not convinced, and the majority of the voters had no problem with it, thus, the birth of People's Power Party.

Talks in Bangkok centred on whether the Shina-watras will seek asylum in China. Pojaman has been convicted and sentenced to three years in jail for tax evasion. Some even suggested that Samak should keep the couple in sight and put them on the plane on his return if there are any indications that the couple may side-step Thailand's justice.

jintana@nationgroup.com