Exiled Thaksin elected Thai golf president

BANGKOK, May 1 (Reuters) Thaksin Shinawatra, the exiled former prime minister of Thailand ousted in a military coup last year, has been elected president of the country's professional golf association, local media reported today.

The billionaire telecoms baron, who has not retuned to Thailand since the bloodless putsch on Sept. 19, won a unanimous vote to take over the TPGA presidency from former cabinet minister Pongsak Raktapongpisal.

Pongsak said Thaksin, a keen golfer, had no plans to return to politics and his exile would not prevent him from doing the job properly.

''Although he is not in Thailand, work will proceed effectively,'' the Nation newspaper quoted Pongsak as saying.

Thaksin, whom coup leaders accuse of corruption and cronyism during his five years in office, has been told he can return home to fight legal cases if summonsed by courts.

He has been living in London since his ouster and has spent much his time in Asia travelling and playing golf, which he insists is for relaxation and not political purposes.

Reuters TB VP1316