Thaksin pledges aid with investments

Thailand's former prime minister, billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, hosted an economic forum yesterday where he pledged to use his foreign business contacts to spur investment in the country.

"Through good connections with my friends, I will do my best to attract as many foreign investors as possible to invest in Thailand," Thaksin told business leaders attending the forum, hosted by his charitable foundation.

Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, chief executive of steel giant ArcelorMittal, later addressed the forum, saying his firm was looking for opportunities to tap Thai steel demand.