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.