BANGKOK, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A leader of the People's Network Against Corruption, a Thai anti-corruption civil group, on Thursday filed charges against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for his alleged involvement in an incident involving the words "Thaksin" which was seen appearing on Thailand's national flag during a football match in England last week.

    Veera Somkwamkid, secretary-general of group, filed charges on Thursday morning urging authorities to bring those responsible for making the flags, which have offended the majority of the Thai people, to justice, local newspaper the Bangkok Post said on its website.

    Veera insisted that Thaksin deliberately turned a blind eye to similar incidents many times in the past. And up to this very day, Veera said Thaksin has failed to publicly express his disapproval over the issue or to condemn those responsible ever since it was publicized by the Thai media.

    Last Saturday, during a football match between Fulham Club and Thaksin's Manchester City Football Club at the City of Manchester Stadium, a Thai national flag bearing the name "Thaksin" was displayed at the club's stadium. After Thai local media published the picture, the flag-maker was criticized as it was a sensitive issue among Thai people.

    Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama earlier said he would contact Manchester City Football Club to investigate how such a flag was displayed. He said "Thaksin is unlikely to be involved in what we saw" and it could have been done by City supporters who didn't realize that it was improper to Thais.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej also said printing the name of "Thaksin" on the national flag was inappropriate. He has asked his aides to look into the matter, but believes local supporters were responsible.