Billionaire Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked a high ranking official of the national team for information on Fulham as he considers a takeover bid for the West London club.

Thawatchai Satchakul, who is in overall charge of the Thai national team, has been asked by the country’s political leader to do some research into The Cottagers and says he may even reveal if he is to pursue his interest early in the New Year.

“The prime minister has asked me to study all of the details about Fulham to help him decide what to do next,” Satchakul told Reuters.

“He is serious about this. He’s not joking.

“I think you may have an answer from him by mid-January.”

Thaksin made his money in telecommunications and first expressed an interest when watching Fulham beat Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford last month.

Thaksin is said to be on friendly terms with Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed who has stated that he is not interested in selling the club.