Thaksin to be Tried in Absentia - Getaway Planned a Month Ago

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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Getaway Planned in Past Month

 

PRADIT RUANGDIT

 

Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to go back into exile overseas followed two meetings with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in the past month, a highly placed source in the People Power party (PPP) said.

 

The two men discussed ways the PPP could deal with the anti-government sentiment that had intensified since Mr Thaksin's return from his first period of self-exile, the source said.

 

Mr Thaksin had agreed to meet with Mr Samak and discuss the possibility of his leaving the country again after people close to him several times urged him to stay overseas until the political rifts in the country eased.

 

People in Mr Thaksin's close circle pointed out that his presence in Thailand had undesirably painted the PPP-led coalition as a nominee government serving his interests, the source said. This image had been the cause of many of the difficulties the government experienced. It could not push through implementation of its policies, Mr Thaksin was told.

 

Members of the previous government also mistrusted him.

 

Negative rumours about Mr Thaksin were frequently circulated and he could not control the situation. More importantly, the political rifts between pro-and anti-Thaksin people had turned increasingly violent.

 

Because of this people around Mr Thaksin suggested that he leave Thailand and live in exile abroad, said the source.

 

At the two meetings Mr Thaksin discussed his best options with Mr Samak.

 

People close to Mr Thaksin were informed about two weeks in advance that he would not return to Bangkok to report to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday, as required, said the source.

 

Mr Thaksin had employed a team of lawyers in Britain to make an application for political asylum, the source said. It was believed they had already filed the papers.

 

The source said it was expected that Mr Thaksin's absence would lead to an easing of political tensions and that Mr Samak would be in sole control of the administration.

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And this, from TNA:

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PROSECUTOR PROCEEDS WITH LAND SCANDAL TRIAL IN THAKSIN, WIFE ABSENCE

 

BANGKOK, Aug 12 -- Thailand will continue prosecution of the land scandal purchase case involving ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, a senior official said Tuesday, despite the couple having jumped bail and now living in exile in Britain.

 

Chief prosecutor Nunthasuk Poonsook, in his capacity as a member of the working committee probing the land purchase in Bangkok's prime Ratchadapisek commercial district by the couple, said that the prosecutor would continue the trial until the case is closed on August 22.

 

Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup on Sept 19, 2006, and his wife are still scheduled to testify in court on that day.

 

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday issued arrest warrants for them after they failed to appear at the court in the morning and also confiscated bail totaling Bt13 million.

 

The couple flew to London from Beijing and as Mr. Thaksin said in his handwritten statement distributed to media outlets that he and his wife would not attend the court hearing.

 

The couple was charged with purchasing the property at the questionably low price of Bt772 million (US$26 million) from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003 while he was in office, which was against the constitution. Mr. Thaksin was subsequently charged with alleged corruption and abuse of power.

 

Both Mr. Thaksin and his wife, who was convicted on July 31 on a separate case of tax evasion and released on bail, have denied any wrongdoing.

 

Mr. Nunthasuk said as long as the case is not closed, extradition requests for the couple cannot be lodged with Britain. Also, it has to be studied whether the guilty is committed in both his home country and the country where he is staying.

 

Touching on whether Mr. Thaksin could apply for taking political asylum in Britain, Mr. Nunthasuk said it is "up to the consideration" of British officials.

 

(TNA)