Taksin says he is forgetful, not corrupt

Taksin says he is forgetful, not corrupt

BANGKOK (Agencies): Telecoms tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, widely
tipped to be Thailand's next premier, denied he was corrupt in an
interview broadcast on Thursday, but he said he might be guilty
of forgetfulness in his business dealings.

Thaksin is under investigation by the National Counter
Corruption Committee (NCCC) for failing to declare stakes in 17
companies. If the anti-graft agency decides he deliberately
concealed the assets, he faces a five year ban from politics.

But Thaksin told Thai television he was guilty of nothing more
than forgetfulness.

"I have so many companies, I might have forgotten to declare
some assets," he said. "The NCCC was set up to counter
corruption, but my assets were not made through corruption. I
just forgot to declare some of them."

Thai politicians are not allowed to hold more than five
percent of any company.

The interview was broadcast as a new opinion poll showed
Thaksin extending his popularity lead over Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai ahead of an election expected to be held on Jan. 6.

The NCCC launched an investigation into Thaksin in September
after it was reported that he had transferred millions of dollars
worth of shares to his maid and driver.

The Bangkok Post described him on Thursday as "the employer of
the country's wealthiest domestic servants".

Thaksin denied he had been talking to senior politicians to
find a replacement to lead his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais)
party if he was found guilty of corruption. "I did not select
anybody to replace me. I believe I can survive," Thaksin said.

Thaksin said that if he became prime minister, he would look
for a capable and decisive finance minister.

"But if I can't find one, I will take that job as well in
order to speedily tackle the overhanging economic and financial
problems," he said.

An opinion poll released on Thursday showed Thaksin's
popularity had declined slightly, but it also showed Chuan had
suffered a much heavier fall in support.

The poll by Bangkok University during Oct. 28-30 found 39
percent of 1,500 Bangkok residents wanted Thaksin to be prime
minister, while only 25.8 percent supported Chuan. Chuan's
popularity had fallen from 33.2 percent in the University's
September survey, while Thaksin's declined from 40.2 percent.

Chuan has said he will dissolve parliament next week probably
set an election date of Jan. 6.

Thaksin says his own polls suggest Thai Rak Thai would come
first in the elctions with about 40 percent support, and would
win at least 200 of the 500 seats in parliament.

A nationwide poll by Rajabhat Suan Dusit university, released
on Wednesday, said 44.2 percent of Thais wanted Thaksin to be
prime minister, against 34.53 percent for Chuan.

In another blow to Chuan's Democrat Party, Deputy Prime
Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi said on Thursday he would not
stand in upcoming elections, ahead of his scheduled tenure at the
head of the World Trade Organization from 2002.

He is considered a popular figure due to his unpretentious and
friendly approach, and had been widely expected to play a central
part in running the economy if the Democrats remained in power
after elections.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Election Commission, newly armed with
formidable powers, cautioned political parties on Thursday it
will impose strict controls on campaign expenses during the
upcoming general elections.

Parties will be required to record all their expenses during
the campaign and send them for examination by a commission
subcommittee within 90 days of the elections, Election
Commissioner Jira Boonpojanasoonthorn said.

Failure to submit the expenses would be punishable by up to
two years jail for candidates as well as party leaders, and a
five-year ban from politics, said Jira, one of the six national
election commissioners.

He and the other five commissioners met with representatives
of 57 parties on Thursday to discuss the commission's powers and
duties.

Prime Minister Chuan said on Wednesday he expects to dissolve
parliament next week to pave the way for the polls, most likely
on Jan. 6.