Ousted Thai leader calls for elections at Bangkok rally

Bangkok, June 16 (UNI) Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra living in self-exile in London has appealed to the country's military rulers to hold early elections, denying corruption allegations against him that led his party to be disbanded and personal assets frozen.

In a recorded address to thousands of his supporters at the historic Sanam Luang public ground here last night, Mr Thaksin said he would fight to restore his honour and seek justice.

More than 10,000 people watched the about half-an-hour speech on giant television screens as hundreds of police and military personnel kept a close vigil.

''Let the people decide for themselves who should be voted into office and allowed to run the country,'' the leader toppled by the military in September last year said.

''I will fight to restore my dignity within the rule of law,'' he asserted.

The government and coup leaders, who comprised the all-powerful Council for National Security, had voiced concern that the rally could get out of hand and attempts could be made to provoke violence by security personnels.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said he was ready to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok if the situation got out of hand at the rally.

Political nervousness remained high in Bangkok as supporters of the ousted leader and a platform of pro-democracy groups had declared to stage a mass march tonight from Sanam Luang to Army Headquarters nearby.

In his address, Mr Thaksin denied the charges that he had misused public office to amass personal wealth and told his supporters that the about 1.5 billion US dollars of his family's assets ordered to be frozen last week were earned legitimately.

He also denied that some of his personal assets were being clandestinely transferred abroad as alleged by the anti-corruption investigation against him.

UNI