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Published on September 17, 2007

Speaking to reporters on his 62nd birthday and a day after returning from a trip to China, Korn said that if Supachai agreed, he would have to return to Thailand by November 12 to contest the general election, since the Constitution requires the prime minister to be an elected MP.

But Pua Paendin's financier, businessman Prachai Leophairatana, on Saturday dampened hopes of installing Supachai as leader of a new party billed as a political "third force". He said Supachai was responsible for the enactment of 11 economic laws following the financial crisis that were incompatible with the group's policies.

Korn, formerly leader of the Chat Pattana Party, was last week named by senior Pua Paendin member Snoh Thienthong as the group's representative to convince Supachai to join them.

Korn said yesterday that he last met Supachai two months ago and last spoke to him by phone on August 19, when Supachai had expressed concern about the country.

He said he had yet to ask Supachai to leave his UN post and re-enter Thai politics.

Supachai has two years more to complete his term as Unctad secretary-general, which can be extended for four years.

"Supachai is a valuable person for the country because he needs no introduction in trade negotiations," Korn said.

Korn said he decided to join forces with Snoh on condition that he would not be asked to be a prime ministerial candidate or party leader.

He is not banned from politics because he relinquished his executive position in Thai Rak Thai before the party was ordered to be dissolved by the Constitution Tribunal.