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Published on August 18, 2007

In his statement to the media in Britain and Thailand, Thaksin said that in the next two days the junta would step up its efforts to destroy his reputation, based on their fear and suspicion of him, his lawyer Noppadon Pattama said.

"More people still love me, and the junta is concerned that it might affect the national referendum this Sunday," Thaksin said in the statement sent from Britain, where he has been living in exile.

Thaksin said he was innocent and dubbed the charges against him political.

The coup-makers seized power from his elected government but could not destroy the Thai people's desire for democracy, the statement said.

"I am ready to fight the charges when I am convinced that I can get a fair trial. The process must not be influenced by the military government," he said.

Noppadon said the former premier would return after the election and added that lawyers were confident they could defend Thaksin even though he now faces arrest warrants.

He also insisted that Thaksin had never thought of seeking asylum to escape criminal prosecution.