Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra challenged the government to provide evidence to back up its claim that he might be behind plans to stage sabotage.
Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban said earlier that security had to be beefed up because he had received warnings of sabotage from foreign governments that have effective intelligence networks. The tip-offs say the attacks will be launched from two Bangkok high-rises, he said.
On his Twitter page, Thaksin said Suthep had made the story up to discredit him. "This is the old Suthep, who is spreading news that foreign intelligence agencies had tapped my telephone conversations and alleged that I am behind an attempt to stage sabotage in Thailand," he tweeted via @thaksinlive. "Suthep should provide evidence to back up these claims. Suthep is 60 now, old enough to stop making up stories."
Meanwhile, media reports said yesterday that a phone conversation of Thaksin, tapped by the US intelligence while he was in Montenegro, suggested the fugitive's supporters might commit terrorist acts in Bangkok. The US Embassy, however, refused to comment, saying the data was not verified.
Vice Foreign Minister Panich Vikitsreth said the ministry had received no warnings about sabotage but if there were ever such a threat, it would go directly to security agencies.
Police spokesman Pol Maj-General Prawut Thavornsiri said the police had not received any warnings of sabotage from the US Embassy or the Foreign Ministry. "Police will contact the US Embassy to verify the issue," he said. "We don't believe there will be any sabotage in Bangkok."
