Stories tagged with thaksin
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Ex-PM Thaksin seeks asylum in the UK
After failing to return to Thailand from their trip to Bejing for the Olympics, the deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman have fled to the UK and will seek asylum. By failing to appear at the Thai Supreme Court as ordered, the government has issued warrants for their arrest.
Thkasin’s wife has already been sentenced to three years in prison for her role in tax evasion over dubious property purchases. Her husband is facing several counts of corruption and abuse of power during his term as prime minister, but apparently feels the outcome will not be favourable.
In a written statement faxed to the Thai media, Thaksin stated that he and his wife are in Britain and will not return to Thailand to fight the charges of corruption. He believes he will not receive a fair trial due to political interference within the court system. Thaksin claims that he is being defamed for political purposes, but the evidence suggests that simple corruption is more accurate.
The Supreme Court has issued warrants for Thaksin and his wife Potjaman for failing to attend their hearing dates. The court has also claimed their bail bonds worth 13 million baht.
Posted by: Andrew on 16 Aug 2008, 12:52 -
Rumours Swirl Over Sale of Manchester City Football Club
After just one season as owner of Manchester City football team, Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is rumoured to be looking to offload the club. His reasons for selling likely stem from the fact that the Thai government has frozen 800 million pounds of his assets.
The UK Daily Mail reported that Thaksin has contacted a well-connected financial intermediary in the past month about finding a buyer for the club. It appears that two unnamed parties have been contacted in the matter, but the UK Daily Mail admitted that Thaksin may just be testing the waters for a future sale.
Thaksin bought Manchester City FC for 80 million pounds a year ago, but since then the Thai courts have frozen assets of his worth some 800 million pounds pending the verdict in his trial for corruption during his time as prime minister. Thaksin may be willing to dump the football club to free up some cash.
Manchester City FC denied the rumours, stating “it is not true that Dr Thaksin Shinawatra is trying to sell Manchester City, nor that he is looking for a buyer.”
Posted by: Andrew on 12 Aug 2008, 17:49 -
Former Thai Prime Minister Barred from Leaving Country
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is facing a number of court cases, is being prohibited from leaving Thailand for travel purposes, by order of the Supreme Court.
Both Thaksin and his wife Pojaman are to appear in court early next week on charges of conflict of interest and abuse of power in their purchase of some prime Bangkok real estate while he was in office.
Overthrown in a 2006 coup, Thaksin and his family also face other court charges, including one of tax evasion against his wife. A spokesperson for Bangkok’s Criminal Court said late last week that a sentence in the tax evasion case will be handed down on 31 July.
"The court ruled that his request for foreign trips was not justified at this time," secretary general of the Supreme Court, Rakkiat Pattanaphong, informed the Associated Press.
Last month, a defence lawyer for Thaksin said that his client needed to travel to China, England and Japan where he owns property and business interests.
In the upcoming property case, Thaksin and his wife are charged with conflict of interest and malfeasance in their 2003 purchase of a parcel of land from the government in central Bangkok.
Anti-corruption laws bar prime ministers and their spouses from conducting business with the government. There is some dispute, however, whether the law is applicable in this case, as the agency selling the land was not specifically under the control of the prime minister.
Both Thaksin and Pojaman have pleaded innocent.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Jul 2008, 22:38 -
Thaksin’s back
Thailand’s ousted premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, returned home on Wednesday 27th February ending 17 months of exile abroad.
After falling to his knees and kissing Thai ground outside Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr Thaksin briefly greeted well-wishers carrying banners and signs before heading off to the Supreme Court in Bangkok.
On arrival at the airport with his son Panthongtae, he was greeted by his wife, Khunying Potjaman, his youngest daughter and sister Yingluck.
Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, and Transport Minister Santi Prompat were also at the airport to welcome the ex-premier.
On exiting the building a roar went up and Mr Thaksin gave a traditional wai greeting. He said he just wanted to be an ‘ordinary citizen.’
Mr Thaksin spent about an hour at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to hear charges brought against him over the 770-million-baht Ratchadaphisek land deal.
He was subsequently bailed and then made his way to the Peninsula Bangkok hotel. His house in Bangkok is currently undergoing renovation.
More on Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 01 Mar 2008, 10:07 -
Man City Takeover: Money Matters
Manchester City football club's board of director is backing the £81.6m takeover bid from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra despite the freezing of his assets in Thailand. Thaksin has gone on record as saying that the events in Thailand won't affect Man City deal. However Thailand authorities are set to investigate the source of the funds behind Thaksin's offer.
The BBC is reporting that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the new Man City manager. Meanwhile The Nation are questioning where the money comes from and whether the Manchester City deal can help Thaksin's flagging fortunes?.
Posted by: Watt on 25 Jun 2007, 14:24 -
Man City Bid or Mind Game
The future of Manchester city football club is still in doubt--it's not clear if they'll accept a take over deal by ousted Thai PM Thaksin Shinnawatra or have to find the other investors for the troubled club. The take-over story started a few months ago, though whether it's based on a passion for football or shrewd political wranglings is a matter of debate. And the situation is muddied further by ongoing legal moves against Thaksin.
Although the BBC reports that the Man City deal is still on track, most Man City supporters appear more concerned about who will be their new manager rather than who will own the club. (Man City supportors share their opinions on BBC's 606). As far as that's concerned, the rumour mill is already rolling.
Posted by: Watt on 20 Jun 2007, 14:08