Thaksin denies hand in riots

In a statement Thaksin said he had offered moral support in the rally for democracy but never encouraged the use of violence by the protesters, many of whom are his supporters.

"Over the recent weeks, the government and its mechanisms are trying to pass the blame on me for the violence that took place during the recent protest. I have been unfairly accused of supporting and condoning the use of violence to achieve political goals.

"I completely deny those allegations. Throughout my life, I respect peaceful means, liberty and equality," Thaksin said in the statement entitled "Fighting for Democracy by Peaceful Means".

Thaksin, who was convicted in absentia for corruption, insisted that the red-shirt movement would not use arms in its struggle to attain democracy.

However, he added, "We will not stop trying to achieve democracy in Thailand. Despite the obstruction by the government, we will not stop."

The statement was obtained from from the office of Noppadon Patama, Thaksin's former legal adviser who served briefly as foreign minister during the pro-Thaksin government of Samak Sundaravej.