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It is often asked why foreign owners buy into British clubs when they could get a better financial return by putting their money in the bank. In the case of Thaksin Shinawatra, the controversial ex-Thai prime minister who bought Manchester City, political prestige is clearly a key factor. He is using his £81m purchase to win hearts and minds among Thai voters from his exile in Britain (presumably it doesn't work as well with those who support United). Thaksin has used the club's prestige among football-crazy Thais to stage a comeback as the country prepares for next Sunday's general election. He dispatched City manager Sven Goran Eriksson to Bangkok a few weeks ago to announce that City were signing three well-known Thai players and setting up a football academy. Sven said that he found City's owner 'nothing short of amazing' which is one way of putting it given Thaksin's questionable human rights record.
Not to be outdone, Thaksin's opponents brought on Everton to the field of political play. The city of Bangkok, which is controlled by the opposition Democrats, said it had signed staff from Everton to coach promising young players and to set up football schools in the capital. No party was, however, able to claim a link with one of the big four clubs in the Premiership which is probably where most Thai voters have their allegiance. As for Thaksin, he insists that the most important date in his calendar is when City play Everton on December 29th.
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