Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday vowed to continue campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general regardless of Thailand's political uncertainty as he believes his "endorsement" by the 10-member Asean grouping over a year ago obliges him to carry on.

In an interview with Nation Multimedia Group's editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon on the World Pulse (Cheepachorn Loke) television programme last night, Surakiart insisted he would be letting down the regional grouping, and other members of the international community if he dropped out of the race.

The former foreign minister said his bid represented the country, not just the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He claimed to have the support of 128 UN countries out of 191, but declined to say whether he believed they would continue their endorsement until the final hurdle.

Suthichai grilled the academic-turned-politician over his qualifications and questionable campaign tactics, pointing to recent interviews with former Thai ambassador to Washington Kasit Piromya and former Thai Representative to the UN Asda Jayanama, both of whom urged the government to reconsider the bid.

Surakiart said Thailand had close ties with all UN permanent five members and suggested he would not quit until he gets a frank answer from them to quit the race.

But his critics countered that the government should take into consideration the cost of a failed bid.

"We can wait until the last minute to accept the outcome but it will cost us tens of millions of baht," Kasit told Suthichai in a separate interview.

Kasit made headlines recently after a telex signed by him was sent to the Foreign Ministry in September urging the government to reconsider Surakiart's bid because he does not have US support.

"I believe it's very likely Khun Surakiart won't make it. It has nothing to do with whether I like Khun Surakiart or dislike Khun Surakiart," Kasit said in the interview aired last night.

The TV programme, which was aired on Channel 9 TV last night, quoted Asda questioning Surakiart's qualifications and campaign tactics, saying they were "unacceptable".

Asda accused Surakiart of trying to obstruct the appointment of former World Trade Organisation chief Supachai Panitchpakdi as the secretary-general of Unctad as it would lessen his chances as the next chief of the world body.

Surakiart denied the allegations.