Thaksin and Pojaman "still have good relations"

The couple divorced at the Thai Consul General's Office in Hong Kong on Friday. Chalerm had dinner with Thaksin and his exwife last week in Hong Kong.

"I saw them still laughing and talking with each other while we had dinner together at a restaurant in Hong Kong last week," he said.

" He still smiles and does not seem to be worried," he added.

Chalerm, who has had a close relationship with Thaksin for a long time, has met him twice before after the expremier was ousted in a coup d'etat in September 19, 2006. Their first meeting was in the United Kingdom and the second in Hong Kong.

Chalerm denied reports that former MP Newin Chidchob had also met Thaksin in Hong Kong.

Chalerm refused to reveal how he had met the convicted Thaksin.

"I cannot tell you how I could meet him in Hong Kong. It is still a secret," he said.

Chalerm said his conversations with the couple were not related to the political situation in Thailand. It was all about their history and what they had done together in the past.

However, the Public Health Minister said the couple's separation would not affect the verdict of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, which found him guilty of abuse of power in the Ratchadaphisek land case.

"I don't know the exact reason behind their divorce. Nobody really knows. Only Thaksin and his exwife can tell you the real reason. I know only that his wife does not like politics so much," he added.

When asked about the future plans of Thaksin and his family, Chalerm said he did not know anything about it.

Chalerm refused to consider himself as a candidate for prime minister after the next general election, which many expect will be held next year.

" It is impossible that I will be the next prime minister because there are many senior politicians in the People Power Party who have more experience than me," he said.