Thaksin denies plan to make Chavalit PM

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday denied reports that the planned merger of the Thai Rak Thai and New Aspiration parties was aimed at handing the premiership to Chavalit Yongchaiyudh should the premier be found guilty of false assets declaration.

Mr Thaksin said the report, made by the foreign press, was totally based on speculation.

He said "the media should not use their imagination too much. They should present facts. If they use only their imagination then everything will become confused.

"The foreign press in particular rely on their imagination," Mr Thaksin said.

Asked if his replacement would come from his own party, Mr Thaksin said this was definite.

Asked whom he had in mind should he lose in the Constitution Court, Mr Thaksin replied: "His name is Thaksin."Asked if he was that confident of winning, the premier said he was confident of gaining justice from the court.

Meanwhile, New Aspiration secretary-general Wan Muhamad Nor Matha said he has talked to Chalerm Yubamruang, the deputy party leader, who expressed no objection to the merger plan and would leave the matter to Gen Chavalit.

Mr Wan Nor said Pol Capt Chalerm also told him he did not mind what post he is granted in Thai Rak Thai after the merger.

Mr Wan Nor said New Aspiration would hold a meeting of its administrative committee next Friday and a decision on the merger with Thai Rak Thai would be officially made then.