Former Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, a Muslim with wide international respect, emerged today as a possible last-minute candidate to replace Kofi Annan as United Nations Secretary-General.
Citing "informed sources", Thailand's Nationnewspaper said Mr Surin was about to receive backing from the United States, who felt he was a "strong candidate".
"He is an Asian, a moderate Muslim and a former foreign minister who is well-known and respected in the international community," the paper quoted an unidentified source saying.
Mr Surin, Thailand's top diplomat for four years in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, did not deny the report.
"I can only say that one feels honoured for having his name being mentioned in such a positive light," he said.
"At this moment, I am not a candidate but the international community has been aware of my keen interest in an international position."
Asked if he had been approached by Washington, he said: "Not personally, not directly."
In New York, Richard Grenell, the spokesman for the US Mission to the United Nations, said the newspaper report was "completely wrong" in reporting that Mr Surin was about to receive US backing for the post.
UN Security Council members conduct a third informal vote today on their preference for the seven declared candidates.
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon has emerged top of the two previous polls. US ambassador to the UN John Bolton is pushing for a quick decision, saying Mr Annan's replacement needed a decent transition period before taking up the reins on January 1st.
Thailand's declared candidate, Surakiart Sathirathai, a deputy prime minister in the government ousted in a coup last week, has come third in the previous votes.
Analysts say the coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have damaged his chances.