Ex premier Thaksin remains in Great Britain to avoid “political” trials
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) –Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will not return to Thailand from voluntary exile in Great Britain. In a statement released to the media, Thaksin said he and his wife would remain in the UK, "where democracy is more important". The ex prime minister was due to appear before courts in Bangkok today to answer charges of corruption, but he has repeatedly claimed that the charges against him are “politically motivated”, aimed at removing him from the leadership of the country.
Thaksin was charged together with his wife, son and a secretary for tax evasion amounting to millions of dollars in the selling of company shares in 1997. July 31st last judges sentenced the wife of former premier, Pojaman Shinawatra, to three years for tax fraud: prosecutors claimed she had hidden up to 16 million dollars from the state revenue service. Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006, was considered the fourth richest man in the country and had built up a telecommunications empire. His net worth amounting to two billion dollars, has been frozen by the state until the out come of the trial for fraud; his party, Thai Rak Thai, was outlawed the day after the state coup that removed it from power while the premier was banned for five years from taking party in the political life of the country.
From exile in England, he has asked “his peoples forgiveness” for his failing to return home, but hopes one day to be able to “return to my nation to die”. In the meantime he is enjoying the golden cage he has chosen to close himself into; he has numerous properties in the United Kingdom, including shares in Manchester City football club.
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31/05/2007
