Asda Jayanama, former ambassador to the United Nations, Kasit Piromya, former ambassador to Washington, and Surapong Jayanama, former ambassador to South Africa and Germany, took the stage at the anti-Thaksin rally in Bangkok last Wednesday and accused caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of hijacking the country's foreign policy for personal gain.

Asda told the rally that Thaksin's two state visits to India during his first term had been fuelled by a desire to seal a satellite deal for Shin Corp, which was then owned by his family.

Kantathi told reporters yesterday that the visit had taken place because Thailand saw India as a strategic partner and the visits had genuinely been in the country's interest.

"I travelled with the prime minister and was by his side from dusk to dawn. I can guarantee he never talked about personal matters," said Kantathi.

He also dismissed allegations that Thailand was getting too cosy with the Burmese junta, insisting Bangkok's dealings with Rangoon were in the interest of the country and the international community.

On Wednesday night Asda told anti-Thaksin protesters that the government had tried to convince Thailand's Export-Import Bank to approve a loan to the family of former Burmese Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.

Fortunately for Thailand, Khin was ousted before the controversial deal was signed, he added.

Kantathi also dismissed Kasit's statement that Thaksin's refusal to step down was hurting Thailand's international standing.

He insisted Thailand's international position was still strong and had been boosted by its economic recovery from the 1997 crisis.

Anti-Thaksin forces turned their wrath on Singapore when hundreds of demonstrators went to its embassy in Bangkok yesterday and called for a boycott of all its goods and services.

Kantathi said the government had been in close consultation with embassy officials on security.

Sopaporn Kurz

The Nation