Mr Torphong Chaiyasan said the former premier, thought to be staying in China after Britain cancelled his visa last weekend, resigned to prevent a conflict between sport and politics.

'He has been politically attacked and he does not want politics to interfere with sport,' Mr Torphong told AFP.

Thaksin took on the chairmanship in May 2007 and his term was not due to end until April 2009.

He said Thaksin's resignation had upset members of the PGA's board but insisted the twice-elected multi-millionaire would continue to advise them.

Thaksin has spent most of his time since his ouster in a 2006 coup in self-imposed exile in Britain, where he bought the premiership Manchester City football club before recently selling it.

He returned to Thailand briefly in February 2008 but fled back to Britain in August after his wife was found guilty of tax evasion.

He was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison in absentia for corruption, and during his travels last weekend Britain revoked his entry visa along with that of his wife Pojaman. -- AFP