Thai election front-runner defends himself against graft allegations

November 18, 2000
Web posted at: 7:57 AM HKT (2357 GMT)

BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) -- Thai telecoms tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, leading in opinion polls ahead of Thailand's January 6 general elections, testified to the country's anti-graft agency on Friday to defend himself against allegations of concealing assets.

Thaksin, who denies deliberately concealing stakes in 17 firms saying he merely forget about them, had been ordered by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to submit his defense and relevant documents by Friday.

Earlier in the week he said he needed more time to prepare his defense, but on Friday he arrived unexpectedly at the graft agency's office for a half-hour meeting.

"I just happen to be free and the timing is auspicious. This clarification is not a big issue," he told reporters afterwards.

Priya Kasemsan na Ayudhya, chairwoman of an NCCC investigation panel, said Thaksin's appearance meant he had complied with the graft agency's demands.

"This is normal clarification within the time specified by the NCCC. He did not make any special requests," Priya said.

If the NCCC ruled that he deliberately concealed his assets, Thaksin would face a five-year ban from politics.

Thaksin has been consistently ahead in opinion polls, and under different circumstances would be regarded as certain to lead the next coalition government. But the probe has cast uncertainty over the election campaign.

A new opinion poll released on Friday also suggested the race was wide open, with most Thais yet to make up their minds on who to vote for.

The ABAC poll found 72.4 percent of those questioned in Bangkok and 62.5 percent of respondents in three provincial towns had yet to make up their minds.

Of 1,165 people questioned in Bangkok on November 8-16, 14.9 percent said they supported Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party, while 8.7 percent favored the Democrat Party of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.

Thaksin was also the top choice of 1,354 respondents in three provincial towns. He was supported by 19.2 percent against 10.7 percent for the Democrats.

The NCCC has not said when it will deliver its verdict on Thaksin.

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