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Published on July 4, 2007

"The National Counter Corruption Commission [NCCC] is welcome to check Thaksin's declared assets and I only demand a straightforward audit without any pretext to fault him," Noppadon Pattama said.

Noppadon was reacting to news reports about the NCCC questioning why Thaksin's asset statements did not reveal his wealth abroad designated for the Manchester City deal.

He argued that Thaksin financed his deal with honest earnings and that he was not obliged to declare funds held by his adult children, relatives or close associates.

In regard to the legal proceedings in Bangkok, he said his client would not report to authorities to acknowledge charges this month or any time before the election.

Thaksin would be represented by a team of lawyers for various legal obligations, Noppadon told a press conference at the Miracle Grand hotel.

He voiced confidence that the English judicial system would not extradite Thaksin to face charges at home because of concern about political persecution.

He said he was working in consultation with a senior English barrister who was a Queen's Counsel (QC). The QC was confident he could help Thaksin beat a Thai extradition request, he said, refusing to identify the barrister by name.

Thaksin and his wife Pojaman had no plans to return home at present as they were concerned authorities would detain them and stop them from travelling abroad, he said.

Their three children would report to authorities to give statements because they had not been targeted for charges, he said. - The Nation