Thaksin not to return soon

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife will not return to Thailand to acknowledge charges next week as ordered by the Department of Special Investigation, said Thaksin's lawyer yesterday. Then he added : “In my opinion, Thaksin should not return until the current military leaders lose their power. I prepared a plan to fight the case in the next hearing if my customers doesn't return to Thailand”.
At the end of last month, army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin who led the coup against former Prime Minister said Shinawatra family should be harmed by his enemies if they return to Thailand now.
Thaksin and his wife Pojaman doesn't want go home unless the interim Government guarantees if they will be safe and be given justice.
The ousted Prime Minister has assigned a team of lawyers to compile necessary information for submission to the British government to oppose a Thai government attempt to have him extradited to face charges in Thailand.
Thaksin said in a statement this morning: ``I am aware of the decision in Thailand. I shall consult with my legal advisers and make an announcement in due course''.
Thailand's Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, owner of Manchester City soccer club, and his wife after they failed to appear to face charges over a land purchase in Ratchadaphisek. It is the first time criminal charges have ever been filed against a former premier in the kingdom.

Arrest warrants issued for Thaksin and his wife

Thai judges issued arrest warrants for the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, after they didn’t appear in the court.
Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges said to journalist wednesday : “The two suspects acknowledged the charge and received an official summons but failed to appear before court today”.
Supreme Court's scheduled the next trial session of the case on September 25.
Thaksin and his wife were charged of breaching series of anti-corruption laws, which bars state officials and their spouses from doing business with a state agency.
Four months ago the junta has confiscated more than 70 million baths of assets belonging to Thaksin and Pojaman.
If they are guilty on any of the charges, Shinawatra family could face up to 10 years in prison.
Thaksin's wife stay now in London, where Thaksin has been living in exile since the coup of 19 september 2006.

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.