Foreign Affairs and Information and Communications Technology Ministry officials are seeking information about the broadcasts, a Council for National Security (CNS) source said.

The source said information suggested Thaksin would rent satellite time from the Chinese. The former prime minister is spending most of his time living in Beijing.

The source noted the similarities between Thaksin's alleged actions and those of his most vocal critic Sondhi Limthongkul. He used ASTV to broadcast his attacks on the former leader.

A former Thai Rak Thai member of Parliament said a group of journalists was gathering information in Thailand to counter accusations levelled against Thaksin. These rebuttals would be broadcast using Chinese cable television.

The party member declined to be named but said the journalists worked for the reporter.co.th website, an instrument once used by former Prime Minister's Office minister Newin Chidcob, a close Thaksin aide. The website was taken down voluntarily after the September coup.

The alleged broadcasts would be made using China's Beijing Television and local television and entertainment producer Traffic Corner Holdings, the Thai Rak Thai source said. He expected the first broadcast this week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said the ministry was checking the validity of the information.

Thaksin's chief counsel in Thailand, Noppadon Pattama, told The Nation he knew nothing of the broadcasts but said his client would "love to talk to Thailand media, though".

At a press conference yesterday, Noppadon invited news organisations to seek interviews with Thaksin and promised to forward those requests to the exiled leader.

Thaksin is prepared to consider interviews in person, by telephone, teleconference or over the Internet, he said.

Ten newspapers and television stations have indicated a desire to interview Thaksin.

Noppadon said Thaksin was bound for London in March where his news media appearances would be limited for the "comfort of the government and the CNS".

Thaksin's appearances will be sparing and refrain from criticising the government, he said.

Noppadon  said recent interviews had not been initiated by the former prime minister.

In past weeks, Thaksin has appeared on CNN and interviews with him have been published in the Asian Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Economist and Time.

Noppadon said Thaksin would never criticise His Majesty the King, as claimed by the CNS. He is a loyal subject and one whose marriage was blessed by His Majesty, he added.

Thai Rak Thai deputy spokesman Jatuporn Promphan denied the broadcast rumours.

Samatcha Hoonsara

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation