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Ex-Thai PM 'will remain in UK' Ex-Thai PM 'will remain in UK'
(about 3 hours later)
The ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will not return to Thailand from the UK. Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will not return to Thailand from the UK.
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".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".
Mr Thaksin is on bail over corruption charges but failed to make a scheduled Bangkok court appearance on Monday.Mr Thaksin is on bail over corruption charges but failed to make a scheduled Bangkok court appearance on Monday.
He has always insisted the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to remove him from politics. Thailand's Supreme Court has now issued an arrest warrant for the billionaire, who owns Manchester City football club.
"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. Mr Thaksin says the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to remove him from politics.
'Political enemies'
The former leader had been due to return to the Thai capital on Sunday after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening in Beijing. 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 lodged
He and his wife - who is on bail pending an appeal after she was jailed for three years for tax fraud - were to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land.
Instead Mr Thaksin issued a statement announcing his decision not to return home.
"What happened to me and my family and my close relations resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics," he 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.""These are my political enemies. They don't care about the rule of law, facts or internationally recognised due process."
He claimed there was a "continuation of dictatorship" in Thai politics which led to "interference in the justice system". Mr Thaksin apologised to the Thai people for his decision to live in the UK, where his daughter is attending university and where he owns several properties, as well as the Manchester City football club.
Mr Thaksin apologised to the Thai people for his decision to live in England, where his daughter is attending university and where 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."If I am fortunate enough, I will return and die on Thai soil, just like other Thais," he said.
Observers have said that the former prime minister may attempt to claim political asylum in the UK, but there was no reference to this in the statement.Observers have said that the former prime minister may attempt to claim political asylum in the UK, but there was no reference to this in the statement.
Mr Thaksin was due back in the Thai capital on Sunday after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening. Thailand's Supreme Court reacted swiftly.
His wife, Pojaman, is also on bail pending an appeal after she was sentenced last month to three years in jail for tax fraud. "The court sees that the defendants have broken their bail terms. Therefore, it issues an arrest warrant and orders their bail bonds to be seized," a statement said.
It was the first of several cases against Thailand's former first family. The court had agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office.
No-show Last month, the former prime minister's wife was jailed for tax fraud - a verdict that must have come as a shock to Mr Thaksin, analysts say.
Mr Thaksin and his wife were scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land. The businessman was the first Thai prime minister to serve a full term in office.
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 lodged But he was ousted in a military coup in 2006, banned from politics for five years and his Thai Rak Thai party outlawed.
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. He returned from exile in the UK in March after his political allies in the People's Power Party (PPP) set up a coalition government.
Thailand's Supreme Court has agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office. But since then the PPP-led coalition has faced repeated challenges and its leader, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, has faced numerous calls to step down.
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.
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.
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).