The move came after Democrat Party executive Korbsak Sabhavasu revealed on Sunday that Thaksin's US lobbyist had written an opinion piece for The Washington Times to discredit the military-installed government.

The Thai Embassy in Washington will sign a contract with an American PR firm for "nation branding" to provide fact and detail in response to moves to create misunderstanding of the Kingdom, spokesman Tharit Charungvat said.

The embassy will pay US$55,000 (Bt1.91 million) a month to the firm for three months. Tharit said the ministry would evaluate the performance of the firm on a monthly basis.

Thaksin is reputed to be paying $200,000 a month for lobbyists, including Edelman Public Relations, to build up his image and create negative press for the military-installed government and the junta.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday gave conflicting information about the hiring of a Washington PR firm, saying the government would be paying $200,000.

But Tharit said the firm being hired by the embassy was a normal PR firm, not an expensive lobbyist.

Ken Adelman, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and adviser to the Edelman PR firm, attacked the government over its patent dispute with the US drug firm Abbott in his article, which Tharit describe as a mere advertising commercial.

Thailand had enforced compulsory licensing on anti-aids drugs, which Adelman considered a violation of intellectual property rights.

Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said he knew who was manipulating public opinion abroad against the government and the ministry was ready to explain the facts.

"The US government never supports any move against the Thai government," he said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation