In a video clip on the website hi-thaksin.net the former prime minister said he had learned some overseas students on scholarships had problems with money.

The scholarships were funded by proceeds from the controversial two- and three-digit lotteries, which were scrapped recently after it was revealed that they were set up without a proper legal basis.

Thaksin met some of the students during his travels. He advised them to apply for help from the Shinawatra family's Thaicom Foundation.

"If any students are in financial difficulty - they have to really be in trouble - then I will ask the [foundation] committee to consider their applications,'' he said.

In addition, Thaksin said he wanted Thailand to return to be a democracy.

"Democracy and wealth go together. Any country that has democracy has much opportunity to build wealth. I hope the government and the Council for National Security will return the power to the people soon,'' he said.

National reconciliation was also important, he said, in an "auspicious" year when the country celebrates His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

"Thai people - especially those who say they love the King - should be united and build reconciliation,'' he said.

Thaksin said in the video he was in London with his daughter.

"I am a bit lonely, which is normal for a person who worked a lot and now does nothing,'' he said.

Thaksin said his travels were broadening his knowledge and he hoped to return to Thailand as a teacher.

Meanwhile, Noppadon Pattama, a legal adviser to the former PM, yesterday denied that Thaksin was behind the new website, which he said was set up by supporters.

"The clip confirms that Thaksin has fully washed his hands of politics,'' he said.

The name of people who established the website cannot be checked because it was established in the United States. However, it is suspected that a team of "reporters" close to Newin Chidchob may operate the site. They claim over 20,000 people have clicked onto site to show support for Thaksin.