At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Thaksin asked his deputy Wissanu Krea-ngam to check whether his planned television appearance would violate the electoral laws.

Under campaign rules, rival candidates are obliged to observe equal-time regulations in accessing media outlets.

Thaksin told his ministers he was a victim of distorted information, adding that he might have to publish his second open letter to clarify the relevant issues.

"Nowadays, newspapers can only be relied upon to get two things right - the masthead and edition date," he said.

He insisted he had not violated any laws and vowed not to bow to the demand for his resignation.

"I was elected to office under democratic rules, will leave under the same rules and resist any political blackmail by a group of people," he said, adding that his government would uphold the rule of law.

Commenting on a threatened work slowdown by state enterprise workers, he said news reports had blown the issue out of proportion as labour leaders have yet to finalise their decision.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation