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Noppadon had disappeared from the political scene after being forced to resign over the Preah Vihear Temple controversy. However, one day before ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra addressed his supporters through a phone in at the Rajamangala Stadium, the big man's former lawyer showed up in the limelight with his book - "I'm No Traitor".

At the launch, he told reporters that putting his thoughts in the book helped heal his pain.

"I was distressed and couldn't sleep during that time [amid the Preah Vihear Temple controversy]. Then, even if I was having caviar and wine, it tasted like plain water and 'plaa salid' [snakeskin gourami]," the former minister lamented.

But, he said, putting pen to paper made things better and helped him come up with a book that was worth every baht. In fact, he is thinking of getting 10,000 more copies printed after 2,000 were bought up in just two days.

"I aim to sell some 100,000 copies. In fact, I will buy a pick up and drive around the country selling them. This is a political war and I need to clarify myself. Like it or not, the people should know the truth," he said.

Yesterday, he was seen presenting a copy to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who apparently advised Noppadon to have the book translated into English so it could be sold overseas.

However, the book obviously does not need to be translated - Noppadon said some officials from the Cambodian Foreign Ministry had already asked him for some autographed copies.

Apart from becoming a "best-selling" author, Noppadon is also busy with two other important jobs.

The first is looking after his best friend - a two-month-old Labrador called Mountain. Noppadon purchased the puppy for Bt60,000 when he moved into a new condominium. "Having a dog is the best thing… they never leave us."

The second is finding himself "true love" - something he also expounds upon in the book.

Noppadon also denies ever being a Casanova, insisting that "love is a beautiful and warm feeling when you meet 'the right person'." We wonder if he was referring to his "friendship" with former deputy government spokesman Nahathai Tiewphaingam.

Still, judging from his thoughts on "love" and his not being "addicted to it", it is not surprising why he was dubbed a Casanova in the first place.

JINTANA@NATIONGROUP.COM