THAILAND:FORMER THAI prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra skipped bail yesterday and fled to exile in Britain, claiming he could not expect a fair trial on corruption charges because of political interference.
Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, who was sentenced to three years in prison two weeks ago for fraud, said they flew to Britain because they had received "death threats" in Thailand.
Rumours were rife that the couple would flee after Pojaman (51) was convicted of evading millions of dollars in taxes in connection with a 1997 shares transfer deal. But family aides had scotched the suggestion.
Immediately after Pojaman was sentenced, along with her stepbrother, Bhanapot Damapong, and former secretary, Kanchanpana Honghern, on July 31st, Thaksin left for a speaking engagement in Japan before travelling to China for the Olympics opening ceremony. Last Thursday the trio boarded a flight for Beijing to meet Thaksin.
But when Thaksin and his wife, who were due to appear before the supreme court in Bangkok, failed to return to Thailand, arrest warrants were issued and the court ordered the forfeiture of a $390,000 (€262,000) bail bond.
His son Phantongtae and daughters Pinthongta and Paethontan also face corruption allegations.
In a handwritten statement faxed from London and read on Thai state television, Thaksin (59) said he had travelled to Britain rather than board a flight he had booked to take him back to Bangkok on Sunday. No mention was made of seeking political asylum in Britain.
The tycoon, who held office for five years, said he would remain in Britain indefinitely, but hoped that he would be able to return to his homeland one day. "My wife and I have travelled to reside in England," he said. "If I still have luck, I would come back to die on Thai soil like every other Thai person.
"There is a continuation of dictatorship managing Thai politics . . . which is followed by interference in the justice system. These are my political enemies. They do not care about the rule of law, facts or internationally recognised due process," he added.
Thaksin lived in exile in Britain for two years after he was ousted in a 2006 military coup. He returned to Thailand this year to face corruption charges against him after his political allies won new elections and formed a coalition government. But just five months after returning to a hero's welcome, Thaksin railed against the Thai judicial system that he said was stacked against him.
The swift action against the pair suggested that almost $2 billion of Thaksin's assets frozen in Thai bank accounts could be at risk, though he is believed to have significant funds in banks overseas.
Thaksin's arrival could present the British government with a diplomatic dilemma. Thailand has had an extradition agreement with the UK since 1911. The legal proceedings also raised questions about the tycoon's ownership of Manchester City football club and what effect his departure may have on his financing of it.
Thaksin bought Manchester City for £81.6 million (€104.6 million) during his 17-month exile in the UK. It is thought that the Premier League must now ascertain whether he remains a "fit and proper person" to run the club.
- (Guardian service)