Thailand's deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra was unveiled Tuesday as the the new chief of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand (PGA).

Thaksin, a billionaire politician ousted in a September military coup, was named by PGA's board on Monday, said the group's secretary general Wichar Siritham.

Thaksin was picked for the job despite living in exile since he was toppled. He is currently in Beijing, where he opened a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course last week.

"It will not be any problem for him to take the post while he is living abroad. I think having him as the new president will benefit Thai golf because Thaksin has the (financial) capability to promote professional golfers," Wichar said.

Wichar said Thaksin has already pledged two billion baht (57.5 million dollars) from his Thaicom Foudation to support the Thai PGA.

The ousted premier reportedly has also made a surprise bid worth 108 million pounds (215 million dollar) to buy English Premier League football club Manchester City.

He made his fortune in telecoms before becoming prime minister in 2000.

© 2007 AFP/sid