Thai TV to air Thaksin's tale

By Simon Montlake
BBC, Bangkok

Mr Thaksin is favourite to win next year's elections

Thailand's prime minister has chosen a prominent and handsome film star to portray him in a forthcoming television series based on his autobiography.

Thaksin Shinawatra said he wanted movie actor and game show host Chakrit Yam-Narm to play the role because of their similar characters.

The series is due to air as Thailand prepares for elections early next year.

The series, which begins filming next month, is likely to put a positive spin on Mr Thaksin's rise to power.

It will be shown on Thailand's channel seven, which is run by the army and is popular in rural areas where the majority of Thai voters live.

Mr Thaksin told reporters on Wednesday that he had personally picked out movie actor Chakrit Yam-Narm to play the lead role, but said he had not yet seen the script.

To observers, though, the timing is far from accidental. Mr Thaksin is preparing to call elections by early next year.

He is considered the favourite to win a second term in office.

Opposition MPs say that middle class Thais in urban areas are losing faith with Mr Thaksin's forceful style of leadership and are disillusioned with his government.

But that view is unlikely to be reflected in the new television series.