Thai PM vows to ride out political storm

"I am very good at riding (out) a storm -- for many times already in my life," he told the BBC in an interview. "So why not another time?"

Thaksin called the polls three years ahead of schedule in a bid to end the turmoil sparked by his family's 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale of stock in Shin Corp., the telecoms giant he founded before entering politics.

Since the sale in January, Thaksin has faced nearly daily street protests demanding his resignation over alleged abuse of power.

The premier again defended the stock deal, saying he had not owned any shares in the company since before he took office in 2001.