Thai coup leader vows to keep up Thaksin graft probes

Former Thailand premier Thaksin Shinawatra smiles at a press conference in Hong Kong yesterday. Former premier Thaksin hailed the return of democracy to Thailand following weekend elections, and called for all parties to take part in reconciliation efforts. Photo: AFP

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who led the coup against Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra last year, vowed Tuesday to press ahead with corruption probes against him even if his allies form the next government.
Sonthi toppled Thaksin in September 2006, accusing him of widespread corruption, of disrespecting the monarchy, and of fomenting social divisions.
After the coup, he set up the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to investigation a slate of corruption claims against Thaksin.
The panel has frozen about two billion dollars worth of Thaksin's assets and filed criminal charges against him in court, but has yet to secure a conviction.
The pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP), which came out ahead in Sunday's elections and is moving to form a coalition government, has threatened to disband the AEC and grant an amnesty to Thaksin.
Sonthi said in an interview published on the Bangkok Post's website that he would stay out of politics, but that he would not allow the next government to scrap the AEC.
"There is no doubt that I will fight for the survival of the AEC since I founded it with my very own two hands," he said.
The remarks were the first statement Sonthi has made on Sunday's election, which left PPP just shy of an absolute majority in parliament despite the military's relentless efforts to erase Thaksin from the political landscape.