BANGKOK -- Thai voters dissatisfied with Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's ruling Democrat Party will have a hard time turning to the alternative Thai Rak Thai Party of telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra since public trust in the businessman has eroded.
The National Countercorruption Commission (NCCC) ruled Tuesday that Thaksin should be barred from politics for concealing assets worth about 2.37 billion baht (about $56 million) during his tenure as deputy prime minister in 1997 and 1998.
Thailand's 1997 constitution requires politicians and senior officials to submit asset and liability reports when they are appointed to public office, when they leave their posts, and once again a year later.