About 8,000 people gathered for a free concert and Thai-themed party in Manchester, UK, hosted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The party on Saturday was meant to celebrate Thaksin's purchase of the Manchester City football club. Those in attendance were entertained by a Frank Sinatra tribute singer, as the local media have often commented that the name "Shinawatra" sounds similar to "Sinatra." Local reports said that several fans of the team who were so eager to get Thaksin's autograph that they were stripping off and throwing their shirts at his security guards for him to sign. The club's new owner was making his first major public appearance since being ousted from power in Thailand by a military coup last year.
Manchester Evening News
BBC