Somchai : Why can't people who know Thaksin be accepted?

Are you relieved that you're no longer the prime minister?

 Yes I am, but that doesn't mean there was a problem with being prime minister. It's about duties. The last two months were full of problems.

Looking back, did you not expect more problems because you were closer to Thaksin Shinawatra than former PM Samak Sundaravej?

I wasn't particularly worried. Not many people inside the party questioned it. I think people look too deep into one angle. I ask what is the problem about Thaksin, why is it that people who know him cannot be accepted? I thought people would understand, but, no. They think everyone who knows him is bad and corrupt.

Why did the party nominate you then?

I served as government official until I turned 60 and I don't think I'll do anything that is wrong. I think I'm far more honourable than to be taking orders from anyone to cause damage to the country. Actually I had never thought of becoming a prime minister but I was there when the party needed a leader and it was their decision that I ought to be the one. And so I didn't lose heart but acted according to [the decision of the] majority of party members.

When you went to Peru for the Apec Summit, did it never occur to you that, like Thaksin, it could be your last moments as PM?

No, because I did nothing wrong and thought of returning to work.

Did anyone advise you to insist not to dissolve the House or resign after the airports seizure?

I don't need anyone's advice. Why should I? Why should I resign or dissolve the House? Those who pressured me have their own view. Some said I was stubborn but what did the law say; the House has a four-year term. Still I couldn't find the reason why I should be forced to resign.

I did not cause the unrest. They claim I'm a proxy but they can say what they like.

Are you a defendant in the deadly October 7 crackdown?

I have already said that everything will be done in accordance with the law. If I have to then I will fight and I have confidence in my innocence.

Politics aside, there were allegations about extra-marital love affair. What do you make of it?

Yeah, when I was the premier I thought there were many problems but I didn't want to say it. Whether the clip was super-imposed or not I didn't even see. I think many people hated me but I was never sulking. I only thought why did the society think like that.

What's your political future now that you have been banned for 5 years?

I will think about that after five years have passed. I only visit Pheua Thai Party because I have many friends. There's nothing.

How do you feel being the only PM in history to have never set foot in Government House?

I understood that Government House wasn't available. It was occupied. I'm not attached to it. Any chair can be a prime minister's chair. The chair that the PM uses is the PM's chair.

As a former judge, what do you think of the "judicialisation" of Thai politics?

I never heard this word when I was a judge. I don't understand what it means. I was taught to believe that judges must be impartial and rely on reason and evidence. Also that we must not meddle in politics because there's a clear separation of power into the executive, legislative and judicial. That was my experience. I don't know about now. Let me not criticise.