Thailand's fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Wednesday that the amnesty bill, which has drawn fierce criticism and objection across the country, is not aimed to whitewash him, but to lead the country out of conflict.

In a message posted on the Facebook page of his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin said he respects public opinion on the amnesty bill but refused to accept "false accusations" against him and his family, which indicate that the legislation is intended to exonerate him of his wrongdoings and allow him to reclaim confiscated assets.

The former leader said his "foremost wish" is "for Thai people to have better livelihoods and a solid future and for the country to be able to keep abreast with the changing world."

The controversial amnesty bill sailed through the House of Representatives earlier this month and is scheduled for deliberation in the Senate next week. It is designed to grant blanket pardon to those involved in political unrests and bloodsheds since 2006 military coup, which toppled Thaksin's regime and threw him in exile.

In 2008, Thaksin was sentenced in absentia by the Supreme Court to two years in jail for corruption and abusing power.