Give me a speedy verdict, says Thaksin

No decision on who will deliver closing statement to court

Ampa Santimetaneedol

Thaksin Shinawatra is eager to see his wealth concealment trial wrapped up quickly even if it means the loss of his premiership.

"If the Constitutional Court deems me unfit to be prime minister, the process should draw to a conclusion in earnest. This is so that everything can start anew for the country," he said.

He said he had yet to talk to his legal team about whether to deliver the closing statement himself on June 18.

He said he was ready to comply with whatever the team wanted. If he did appear he would tell the court that he did not deal in corruption.

The sooner the case was brought to a close, the better. Acquittal would give him the go-ahead to carry on with his duty.

Referring to the National Counter Corruption Commission, Mr Thaksin said a "certain party" was driven by self-centredness "to work beyond what its duty allows".

The NCCC acted as prosecutor at the hearing.

The NCCC has criticised a sign-up campaign run by Sem Pringpuangkaew, a senior reform advocate, to keep Mr Thaksin in his job.

Mr Thaksin said it was Dr Sem's right to wage the campaign, even though it could be politically damaging.

Mr Thaksin yesterday paid a courtesy call on Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda who warned him not to be distracted by the hearing. Meanwhile, Prawase Wasi, another reform advocate who also defended Mr Thaksin's integrity against the wealth cover-up accusation, said he would not respond to NCCC criticism that he, too, was wrong to back Mr Thaksin. He said he was not connected with sign-up campaigns to keep Mr Thaksin in power.

NCCC member Krirkkiat Pipatseritham said the veteran physicians "had gone nuts" for forsaking their reputation and public respectability to protect Mr Thaksin.

Dr Prawase said civic movements should not pressure the court or the NCCC. The court should lend an open ear to public sentiment but not be swayed by it.

Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy public health minister, said rural doctors could refuse to join Dr Sem's campaign. He also urged Mr Krirkkiat to retract his criticism against Dr Sem, saying the remarks risked undermining the agency's independence.