Thai government once again in conflict with central bank

TOKYO -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was freed on Feb. 18, six months after returning home from a 15-year self-exile.

Although the explicitly special treatment drew criticism, Thaksin still cut a charismatic figure. The first visitor to his west Bangkok home was former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has long been his close ally. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also paid a visit, ruled out the argument that Thailand will have two prime ministers -- with Thaksin having actual power -- saying that the constitution stipulates that the country has only one prime minister and that's Srettha.