As per the requirement for the censure on the prime minister, the main opposition party nominated its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to head the next government.

The draft motion singled out the Shin Corp sell-off as damning evidence showing that Thaksin was no longer fit for office.

“The sale of Shin shares, executed at huge profit by complex legal manipulations to legitimise the tax-free transaction, set a bad precedent for putting self-interest before that of the country’s as has never been seen in Thai history,” the draft said.

Since coming to power more than five years ago, Thaksin had misruled, causing great damage to the country, it said.

His misconduct included:

lUsurping the intent of the Constitution to consolidate power by implementing a series of party mergers to gain complete control over the House of Representatives, rendering checks and balances ineffective.

lOrdering civil servants to suppress the government’s opponents.

lInterfered with independent organisations forcing them to follow the government line.

lIgnoring democratic tradition and precedents and condoned runaway power.

lInterfering with the judicial process, dominated civil service appointments and utilised state assets for personal and family interests.

lInvoking state and capital power to intimidate the media, and denied public access to critical information relating to his interest and his family’s businesses.

lCondoning the violation of human rights.

lRelying on bullying tactics.

lCommitting a number of inappropriate actions toward the monarch via the legislative process.

lAbusing power to enact laws in favour of his businesses and those of his cronies.

lViolating the conflict of interest laws as evidenced in many legislative amendments, including provisions on foreign ownership, excise tax, telecommunication concession and free trade agreements.

lSuspiciously concealing assets.

Even though Thaksin has portrayed himself as a patriotic leader, the Shin Corp sell-off proved that he served not the country but his family’s businesses, the draft said.

“The January 23, 2006 sale of Shin Corp enriched Thaksin’s family and his relatives by Bt73 billion inflicting direct and indirect damage to the country and paving the way for foreigners to possess national assets,” it said.

The censure motion will be forwarded today to Government House to solicit the endorsement of government lawmakers.

The censure needs the endorsement of 200 MPs while the three opposition parties hold 124 House seats.