Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has bemoaned the repeated accusation he is disloyal to the monarchy, saying the slander was being exploited by certain people so they can rise to power.
Thaksin: ‘Received kindness’ from royals
In his latest comment on his Facebook page, he said he has followed the anti-government protests aimed at rooting out the so-called 'Thaksinomics' system of corruption.
Thaksin, sentenced in 2008 to two years in jail over the Ratchadaphisek land deal and who has since lived in self-exile abroad, said the protesters attacked him for not being loyal to the monarchy.
He denied the allegation and said he has never spoken ill of the royal family.
He insisted he has always been a victim of a smear campaign and felt bitter about it.
"Thai politics is played out with cruelty and in cold blood," he said.
Thaksin explained he had received the grace and kindness from the royal family on many occasions. His wedding to his now-divorced wife, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, was royally sponsored.
His Majesty the King bestowed the name of Thaicom, the satellite affiliate of InTouch Plc, formerly known as Shin Corporation, the telecom giant founded by Thaksin.
His former wife was granted the royal decoration which made her a khunying. He is also a recipient of the exalted order of the royal decoration granted on a special basis.
"You're free to love or to hate me. It's up to you. But please don't allow yourself to believe people who are bent on rising to power by breathing lies and deception," he wrote.
Thaksin denied he aspired to be president of the country. "Please don't be cruel to me," he added.