In response to the controversy, the public has pointed the finger at several former finance ministers and senior tax officials who allegedly failed to act on Thaksin’s tax liability of more than Bt10 billion arising from sale of Shin Corp’s shares in 2006.

Korn told The Nation on Thursday he had done his best to ensure the tax collection before the legal deadline ended at the end of March 2012.

“When I was minister I ordered the head of the Revenue Department to collect income tax from Thaksin and when I was an opposition MP I warned the Revenue Department about the approaching expiration of the tax assessment’s deadline,” he said.