Manila  - The Philippine government on Monday denied allegations that visiting Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would seek political asylum for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra after his visa was revoked by the British government.

Somchai arrived for a seven-hour visit to the Philippines on Monday afternoon, triggering rumours of a possible asylum deal for Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said there was no truth to the reports and added that should Thaksin make such a request, the Philippines will not approve it.

"It just so happens the prime minister is a brother-in-law of Thaksin," he said. "There is no such move. But if there is any in the future, we will courteously tell Thaksin that we will not allow him to come to the country to seek political asylum."

Dureza said Thaksin must follow "international protocols" before he can come to the Philippines and seek political asylum.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Somchai visited the Philippines "to introduce himself" to Arroyo.

He added that the two leaders were expected to discuss ways on further strengthening bilateral relations and the impact of the global financial crisis on the region.

Thaksin and his wife have been living in self-exile in London since August 11, days after Pojaman was sentenced to a three-year jail term on tax evasion charges. It is suspected the couple are now in China.

On October 21, Thailand's Supreme Court for Political Office Holders found Thaksin guilty of abuse of power in 2003 when he was still prime minister for allowing his wife to successfully bid on a plot of prime Bangkok land at a government auction. (dpa)