Thai court to hear Thaksin case

Thailand's exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra moved a step closer to facing corruption charges on thursday.
Thailand's Supreme Court decided to accept a suit filed against the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman.
He is charged with corruption, conflict of interest and dereliction of duty for personal gain in the case, involving a plot of land in central Bangkok valued at $24.5 million. His wife, Pojamarn, also is named in the case.
"The judges have agreed to accept the case put forward by prosecutors. The first hearing will be on August 14," declared Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges who will hear the case.
The suit submitted by Office of the Attorney General filed corruption charges against the couple, the first time criminal charges have ever been filed against a former premier in the kingdom.
Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin's lawyer said : "I fear that my client will not get a fair trial because the judicial system in Thailand has been interfered with by some powerful groups, and I also fear for his safety".
Last week Thaksin said he would only return to Thailand to face corruption charges if he could be sure of a fair trial.
If convicted, the couple could be jailed for up to 13 years and face a fine.