Ousted Thai PM denies involvement in Bangkok blasts

BANGKOK: Deposed Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday denied suggestions that he was involved in the deadly New Year's Eve bomb blasts in Bangkok, his lawyer said.   

"Thaksin strongly rejects the allegations and said that his government, which came from people, would not hurt its people," Noppadon Patama said.   

"The government should not rush to conclusions by trying to relate the attacks to previous governments. It is totally unfair and untrue," he said.   

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont earlier Monday linked Sunday's blasts -- which killed three and injured more than 30 across Bangkok -- to factions aligned with the country's previous government.   

Twice-elected Thaksin was ousted in a coup on September 19 while he was in New York and has since been living in self-imposed exile abroad and is currently staying in Beijing.   

The telecom tycoon and billionaire businessman recently said he wants to return to Thailand to defend himself against corruption charges but the junta is worried that his homecoming may spark anti-coup protests in his northeastern stronghold.   

Four of Thaksin's close allies were ordered to appear before the junta after the bombings, one of Thaksin's former ministers told reporters on Monday, but the generals later postponed the hearing.