Chavalit seeks results on baht

Chavalit seeks results on baht

BANGKOK (Reuters): Former Thai premier and opposition leader
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh challenged Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
yesterday to disclose results of an official probe into the Bank
of Thailand's bungled defense of the baht in 1997.

Chavalit told reporters he was prepared to take responsibility
if it could clearly be proved that his government had made
incorrect policy decisions that triggered Thailand's worst
economic crisis in decades.

Chuan's cabinet is due to discuss the findings of the seven-
member panel, headed by former central bank governor Nukul
Prachuabmoh, on Wednesday.

A copy of the panel's report obtained by the local press
blamed Chavalit, his former finance minister Amnuay Viravan,
central bank governor Chaiyawat Wibulswasdi and other senior
central bank officials for Thailand's poor defense of the baht.