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Ex-Thai PM fails to attend court Ex-Thai PM 'will remain in UK'
(about 2 hours later)
The ousted Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has failed to appear before a Bangkok court on corruption charges, amid rumours he has fled to the UK. The ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will not return to Thailand from the UK.
Thai media quoted several sources saying that Mr Thaksin and his family were already in London and would issue a statement later. In a statement released to the Thai media, Mr Thaksin said he and his wife would remain in the UK, "where democracy is more important".
He was due back in the Thai capital on Sunday after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening. Mr Thaksin is on bail over corruption charges but failed to make a scheduled Bangkok court appearance on Monday.
Mr Thaksin is on bail, facing a string of trials at Thailand's Supreme Court. He has always insisted the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to remove him from politics.
Mr Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, is also on bail pending an appeal after she was sentenced last month to three years in jail for tax fraud. "What happened to me and my family and my close relations resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics," Mr Thaksin said in the hand-written statement.
"These are my political enemies. They don't care about the rule of law, facts or internationally recognised due process."
He apologised to the Thai people for his decision to live in England, where his daughter is attending university and where he owns several properties, as well as the Manchester City football club.
"If I am fortunate enough, I will return and die on Thai soil, just like other Thais," he said.
Mr Thaksin was due back in the Thai capital on Sunday after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening.
His wife, Pojaman, is also on bail pending an appeal after she was sentenced last month to three years in jail for tax fraud.
It was the first of several cases against Thailand's former first family.It was the first of several cases against Thailand's former first family.
Mr Thaksin has always denied any wrongdoing by his family in this case - and several other lawsuits filed against them - and maintains the charges are politically motivated.
No-showNo-show
Mr Thaksin and his wife were scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land.Mr Thaksin and his wife were scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land.
"So far the defendants have not shown up," said a court official.
CASES AGAINST THAKSIN FAMILY Case one: Abuse of power related to purchase of state land by his wife. Who: Thaksin and his wife. Status: Trial underwayCase two: Abuse of power linked to government lottery scheme. Who: Thaksin and several former Cabinet ministers. Status: Case accepted by Supreme CourtCase three: Abuse of power related to state loan to Burma alleged to have benefited family business. Who: Thaksin. Status: Case accepted by Supreme CourtCase four: Concealing assets. Who: Thaksin, wife and two others. Status: Awaiting court decision on proceeding to trialCase five: Tax evasion. Who: Members of Thaksin's family. Status: Pojaman Shinawatra and her brother jailed for three years, her secretary for two yearsSeveral other claims also lodgedCASES AGAINST THAKSIN FAMILY Case one: Abuse of power related to purchase of state land by his wife. Who: Thaksin and his wife. Status: Trial underwayCase two: Abuse of power linked to government lottery scheme. Who: Thaksin and several former Cabinet ministers. Status: Case accepted by Supreme CourtCase three: Abuse of power related to state loan to Burma alleged to have benefited family business. Who: Thaksin. Status: Case accepted by Supreme CourtCase four: Concealing assets. Who: Thaksin, wife and two others. Status: Awaiting court decision on proceeding to trialCase five: Tax evasion. Who: Members of Thaksin's family. Status: Pojaman Shinawatra and her brother jailed for three years, her secretary for two yearsSeveral other claims also lodged
The couple have until 1630 (0930 GMT) to make an appearance before the court demands an explanation from their lawyer; it may eventually issue an arrest warrant. The couple had been given until 1630 (0930 GMT) to make an appearance before the court demanded an explanation from their lawyer; it may eventually issue an arrest warrant.
Thailand's Supreme Court has agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office.Thailand's Supreme Court has agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office.
They could end in a conviction, and a possible prison sentence - results, say analysts, that Mr Thaksin clearly did not anticipate when he made a triumphant return from exile in March.They could end in a conviction, and a possible prison sentence - results, say analysts, that Mr Thaksin clearly did not anticipate when he made a triumphant return from exile in March.
Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006.Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
His party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed, and Mr Thaksin was banned from politics for five years.His party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed, and Mr Thaksin was banned from politics for five years.
He returned from exile in the UK in March after his political allies in the People's Power Party set up a coalition government.He returned from exile in the UK in March after his political allies in the People's Power Party set up a coalition government.
He owns several properties in England as well as the Manchester City football club.
After Thai authorities froze more than $2bn (£1bn) of his family's assets pending corruption cases against him, he is now reportedly worth $400m (£200m).After Thai authorities froze more than $2bn (£1bn) of his family's assets pending corruption cases against him, he is now reportedly worth $400m (£200m).