VERONICA PEDROSA, CNN ANCHOR: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is on a visit to Cambodia and Myanmar. Before he left Bangkok for Phnom Penh, Mr. Thaksin made an emotional appeal at a hearing in the country's constitutional court. He asked the court to strike down a ruling by an anti-corruption panel that he concealed some of his financial assets. John Raedler reports.</s>JOHN RAEDLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fighting for his political life, supporters and news media throng Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as he arrives at court. He is accused of concealing some of his massive wealth in past asset disclosures. The court could disqualify him from the prime minister's office if it finds him guilty. The telecommunications tycoon turned politician asked the court -- quote -- "Do I deserve to be destroyed as a politician? It is just impossible for me to keep track of my wealth," he said. "The errors can be attributed to an oversight, not an intention to hide my wealth. I erred in good faith," he added. But earlier, the National Counter-Corruption Commission summed up its case, saying: "evidence of intentional asset concealment abounds." The commission's representative said Thaksin and his wife transferred assets to servants and associates worth billions of baht. He added, "Although Thaksin is a popular political leader, the constitution requires that political leaders declare their assets truthfully and accurately. The 14-judge court is not expected to deliver its verdict in the case until next month at the earliest. John Raedler, CNN, Bangkok.
Thai Prime Minister Pleading to Constitutional Court on His Behalf