THAKSIN Shinawatra crooned "Blue Moon" to a crowd of 8,000 delirious Manchester City fans at a massive public party.

The club's new owner signalled his ambition by laying on the bash in Albert Square - complete with free food, a chance to meet new manager Sven Goran Eriksson and his team, and performances by some of Thailand's biggest musical stars.

But it was Dr Thaksin who stole the show by taking to the stage to join a rendition of the City anthem as the evening drew to a close.

Earlier he had said: "I feel very honoured and touched by the kind of reception I have received.

"I am very thankful.The concert tonight is to express my sincere thanks to all of you. I really appreciate that you have accepted me as part of the Manchester community. Together we will make Manchester City known worldwide."

Thousands of fans had queued up for hours to get platefuls of Thai noodles, rice, chicken and beef before the festivities began.

Culture

The evening had been billed as a chance to bring Thai and Mancunian cultures together - and the entertainment on-stage began with a respectfully-observed rendition of the Thai royal anthem in honour of king Bhumibol Adulyadej.

There were performances by a precession of Thai singers, including Mai Charoenpura, one of the countries most popular pop stars. Manchester-born crooner Cole Page joined the show at the personal request at Dr Thaksin.

But the biggest roar of the night came when Sven and his entire first-team squad took to the stage straight after their 1-0 friendly defeat against Valencia.

The manager said he "hoped for a very good season" and praised the new owner - who has bankrolled a £40m spending-spree - for giving him a "fantastic" squad.

World boxing champion Ricky Hatton, one of Manchester City's most famous fans, joined the team on stage to a massive ovation.

Dr Thaksin had watched much of the show from a front-row seat in the middle of the square. City fans had been so keen to get his autograph that several were stripping off and hurling their shirts at his security guards for him to sign.

The night was seen as a huge public-relations coup for the former Thai prime minister, who has faced a number of challenges over his human rights record since his £81.6m takeover of Manchester City.

Corruption

The Asia division of Human Rights Watch branded him "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" and he still faces a series of corruption charges in Thailand. The organisation has accused him of illegal abductions, arbitrary detention, torture and extra-judicial executions of alleged drug dealers during his five years in power.

Dr Thaksin, who was deposed in a military coup last year, has made it clear through lawyers that he denies all charges of having abused human rights.

Many of the fans seemed won over after Saturday's bash.

"It's absolutely brilliant," said Tom Chambers, from Sale. "I'm glad he's come and he's serious about the club. The Thai people here are saying he was the best thing that ever happened to them."

Paul Sullivan, a 56-year-old civil servant, said the night had been "bizarre" but added: "He's convinced me that he means business."