Anfield officials travelled to Bangkok to discuss investment with the billionaire telecommunications tycoon, then still in office, but his £65million offer ultimately did not meet requirements.
Times have changed considerably since then with Shinawatra now living in exile in London after being ousted in a military coup last year.
Shinawatra had been a popular prime minister in some respects, particularly after opening up health care to poorer voters, but his human rights record drew criticism and his premiership was cut short amid accusations of abuse of power.
After building his business empire, former policeman Shinawatra moved into politics when he founded his Thai Rak Thai (Thai Loves Thai party) in 1998.
He swept into power in 2001 and became the first Thai prime minister to serve a full four-year term.
Overthrown
He was re-elected in 2005 but lasted just another 18 months before being overthrown by his own army.
He attracted heavy criticism from overseas, chiefly from groups such as Amnesty International, after his crackdown on drugs led to the deaths of 2,500 people.
Many concerns over his policies were voiced at the time his interest in Liverpool became public.
His support at home, however, did not start to wane considerably until his decision to sell his family's shares in telecoms group Shin Corp. The family made close to two billion US dollars from the sale and there were widespread complaints that they had avoided paying tax.
It proved the beginning of the end and opposition grew until it culminated in his overthrow.
He has now had time to take stock of his position and, with no immediate political ambitions, he clearly feels it is time to solidify his interest in English football.
He was first attracted to Liverpool by the club and Premiership brands and since then Europe's richest league has grown even more lucrative.
Foreign investors continue to express interest and while Shinawatra maybe the latest of them, he will almost certainly not be the last.
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Thatcher, Gaddaffi, Bush and Blair have all done more evil things than 'our Frank'
If the share value of £80ml represents the initial 60% does it follow that the total value is £120ml ?
To all the pc Guardian reading no marks,if you have such high morals,then why do you still live in a country that invaded Iraq on a pack of lies and now occupy a foreign country ??????
Typical in depth article by MUEN No detail behind the comments such as "He attracted heavy criticism from overseas, chiefly from groups such as Amnesty International, after his crackdown on drugs led to the deaths of 2,500 people"
At least he hasn't illegaly invade and bombed another country like some leaders
The Offer will be 40.0 pence in cash for each Manchester City Share, valuing
the existing issued share capital of Manchester City at approximately GBP
21.6 million. Together with net debt of approximately GBP 60.0 million as
at 31 May 2007, this represents an enterprise value of approximately GBP 81.6
million.
Pingu, I'm a Guardian reader, but other than that I take your point! Sometimes we have to look at ourselves, don't we?
Pingu, You are a numpty. Are you suggesting that all those that oppose the invasion of Iraq leave Britain? Won't be very many people left for you to gurgle at will there?
It is sad for the city of Manchester and our club.The last and greatest hope of the dignified club has to rest with a new chairman tainted with corruption and extra judicial killing charges .He never disputed or apologized for 2500 deaths.He merely stated he was ousted by a military coup. Any fans can see a series of disasters coming.Good luck to us all.Amin
brilliant, so sven - if he comes - will want to make jaap stam his first signing. himself a drug abuser, thaskin will have him killed - everyones happy...
What he had done to drug dealers in thailand is unbelievable. Four years ago I was hopeless. The widespread drug in thailand threatened my children. After his campaign, a brutal campaign against evil drug lords, thailand has been much safer than ever.
Gratefully, frankie always is my only hero in thailand.
Two more good things are his health care system and war against illegal lottery. He made modern health care accessible for poor people. He turned an illegal lottery business worth about a billion pounds a year to a legal educational lottery that helped a lot of poor thai students.
This educational lottery was toppled down by the military government and the money goes back to the mafia again.
pingu,i read the guardian(a manchester paper by the way) and have no problem with frankie boy owning our club!! i think the editors of certain red tops have more of a problem with our new owners,but,i suspect that is because of their love of all things from Mctrafford!! CTID
Questions to be asked:-
If you were a major shareholde/fan would you sell to a guy who may jepordise the future of your club?
If Frankie was that dodgy do you think a company as reputable as Seymour Pierce would've wanted to act on his behalf, thus dirtying their reputation?
If Frankie was that dodgy do you think the FA and government would've allowed he to get this far? Would he have indeed passed the "fit and proper person profile" of the FA (think this has been carried out already)
I maybe being a little niave but i have full confidence in Frank. Let the good times roll