Democrats fire broadside at Thaksin

By his own admission, Thaksin said during a phone-in to supporters on Monday that he had financed political activities inside Thailand.

The message was clear: Thaksin gave his siblings his blessings to oversee party activities.

Thaksin has openly associated himself with the opposition movement led by the red shirts.

He also appears to have condoned certain rally messages deemed offensive to the monarchy. Therefore, he should be held accountable for any wrongdoing committed by the protesters with his support.

Thaksin is seen to have encouraged the DTV satellite station and certain community radio stations to air programmes designed to widen social division.

In 2007 and 2008, he hired foreign lobbyist firms to discredit Thailand.

Buranat said his main coalition party would raise the issue of whether Thaksin used US firms or that country as a base to destabilise Thailand's political situation. The issue will be discussed next Tuesday during a meeting between Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai and US Ambassador Eric John.

The party spokesman reminded Thaksin and Pheu Thai MPs that Chinese authorities were permitting their entry to the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau on the condition that the visits not be used as a springboard for political instigation.

He was referring to reports that Thaksin and opposition lawmakers might meet this weekend or next in Macau.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said Thaksin would make his next phone-in on February 15, to be aired on DTV.

Jatuporn encouraged his fellow MPs to keep in touch with Thaksin, although for safety reasons they should not reveal his whereabouts.

Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul called on the Japanese and Chinese embassies to clarify news reports about the travelling restrictions imposed on Thaksin.

Surapong said he was confused about why Thaksin could enter Hong Kong after the Democrats had claimed there was a visa ban.

He warned Chinese and Japanese authorities about the consequences of banning Thaksin from entering their countries.

Surapong pointed out that Thaksin remained very popular and that banning him could trigger resentment among his 10-million-plus supporters, who might decide to boycott products from the two countries.