Thai court orders Thaksin Shinawatra arrest

[Jimbo 175]

Thailand's Supreme Court has issued an arrest warrant for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on corruption charges.

 

The ruling came after Mr Thaksin and his wife failed to attend court in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

 

The court was to hear the first of a series of corruption cases being brought against the former leader.

 

Mr Thaksin, who has recently bought Manchester City football club, was ousted by a military coup last year.

 

He has been living overseas since then, mainly in the UK.

 

"The court has approved arrest warrants against the two suspects," Judge Tonglor Chomngarm said. "Both should be brought before the court."

 

Mr Thaksin has been ordered to appear to hear charges he abused his power by helping his wife buy land from a state agency at a favourable price.

 

He denies any wrongdoing and says the cases against him are politically motivated.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6945676.stm

[ewerk 31600]

Can't see him being extradited to Thailand while there is a military government in charge, however if they have democratic elections then it'll be interesting to see what the UK government decide to do.