I see a 'step by step' approach to his return and it's already started with them floating the idea of him becoming a trade ambassador for Thailand. After a while when PT have got things more squared away then they might go down the appeal court route to give it some thin veneer of legitimacy even if the outcome is a foregone conclusion as PT will appoint a sympathetic presiding judge to that court prior to its hearing.
He is still a very polarizing figure and is loved and hated in equal measure by many. His return may be inevitable at some point but it won't be yet. However, I do agree that the way he was deposed while out the country was cowardly and shabby. That's the problem with democracy, you have to put up with governments you don't like sometimes. It's called 'the rub'.
Although, a lot of what has transpired in the last 5 years has simply been a personality battle between Sondhi and Thaksin, who were friends once upon a time and fell out with each other, which has turned into one almighty pissing match that has cost Thailand dear. We should lament upon the vanity of two powerful megalomaniacs and the results.
The Democrats might raise bloody hell if he does come back, but that, along with the court issue can be circumnavigated if and when they need to after a bit of time. The real problem is the army and the deal they will have to cut to keep them happy and out of things which will probably be along the lines of that the army and a certain other prominent entity are to be left alone and allowed to do what they like.....period. Thaksin will make this deal if it gets him back into the country but it's one that he will have to honour as the army have already said they will not interfere so long as it and the other entity are not threatened.
Whether or not it will be good for Thailand depends on where Thailand wants to now go from here, even if they do the children's playgroung squabble thing for a while. It may ultimately be good for the business side/economy if he comes back as both he and his sister are competent CEO types, maybe no more fighting with Cambodia too, but as for social harmony and a few other things..........hmmmm, that remains to be seen and I'm not holding my breath about it.
I wonder if Thaksin will quieten down his dislike for foreigners since so many countries have helped him out with safe havens of refuge and passports etc over the last five years?
I haven't voted yet as I think it's to early to call the shot. I will reserve judgement for a while and see what direction the new government and things in general are heading.
Pete 
