Thaksin, who is under pressure to halt his planned import of wild animals and birds

from Kenya for Chiang Mai's Night Safari Park, said he had merely suggested to the Thai private sector that Kenya offered many opportunities for investors.

Thaksin said he has not had time to discuss the matter with Thai hotel chains but mentioned Dusit Thani and Plaza Athenee as candidates.

However, Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Minister Morris Dzoro said yesterday that authorities were scrutinising Thaksin's application to build a hotel.

"Thaksin has asked us about putting up a hotel here in Kenya and we are considering his application just like any other investor," Dzoro told a press conference in Nairobi.

During Thaksin's official visit to the country in November, Kenya signed an agreement allowing Thailand to import 175 wild animals and birds for the Night Safari Park. The move sparked angry protests from wildlife activists and conservationists.

The plan was halted by a Nairobi high court pending conclusion of a suit challenging its legality.

The vice minister for natural resources and the environment, Plodprasop Suraswadi, later inflamed the controversy surrounding the deal when he announced a plan to open a restaurant in the safari park that would serve meat from wild animals.

The ministry planned to submit the restaurant idea to the Cabinet for debate, but backed down amid a public outcry.

Tourism is a mainstay of Kenya's economy. It generated US$648 million (Bt25 billion) in 2005, a 15-per-cent increase from the previous year.

The Nation,

Agence France-Presse