To prevent problems between the two countries, Bangkok should ask Washington to explain what role the lobbying firm will play, he said.

Abhisit said Washington should regard the move by Thaksin as abnormal. He explained that hiring a firm to monitor US policy towards Thailand's interim government was very different from hiring one to help negotiate the Generalised System of Preferences or help a candidate run to become secretary-general of the UN.

He also rebutted the claim by Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, that Thaksin hired the firm to provide legal advice, saying if this were true the firm would not need to be registered as a lobbyist.

Abhisit said the document made public by Democrat executive Korbsak Sabhavasu showed that Thaksin had hired the company to monitor the government.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai legal expert Kuthep Saikrachang said hiring a firm to lobby the government was legal in the US.

Moreover, Thaksin could hire such a company for many reasons, including to protect his rights, Kuthep said.

 He accused Korbsak of intentionally distorting information and playing politics by failing to mention that the word "deposed" was printed before the words "prime minister" in the lobbying registration form.

Noppadol said that Thaksin would clarify Korbsak's accusation that Thaksin's using his premier post to hire a legal firm was an act of treason.

"This is a serious accusation and not an ordinary charge. It carries the death penalty,'' he said.

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation