from the earlier, June 1, 2008 .. A Thai opposition group vowed on Sunday to hold more anti-government street rallies in Bangkok in a bid to force the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down. ..................... The PAD, a coalition of civic groups, and the opposition Democrat Party accuse Samak's government of being a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The rallies which began a week ago are similar to the PAD's street campaign against Thaksin before he was ousted in a 2006 coup. The protests two years ago started small but grew to 100,000-strong crowds before the military intervened. .....................
Monday, 11 August 2008
Ex-Thai PM 'will remain in UK'
March 2008 .. photo ..
Thaksin owns properties in England as well as Manchester City football club
The 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".
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.
"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.
"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 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.
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.
His wife, Pojaman, is also on bail pending an appeal after she was sentenced last month to three years in jail for tax fraud.
It was the first of several cases against Thailand's former first family.
No-show
Mr Thaksin and his wife were scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court in a case involving the allegedly unlawful purchase of land.
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 underway
Case two: Abuse of power linked to government lottery scheme. Who: Thaksin and several former Cabinet ministers. Status: Case accepted by Supreme Court
Case three: Abuse of power related to state loan to Burma alleged to have benefited family business. Who: Thaksin. Status: Case accepted by Supreme Court
Case four: Concealing assets. Who: Thaksin, wife and two others. Status: Awaiting court decision on proceeding to trial
Case five: Tax evasion. Who: Members of Thaksin's family. Status: Pojaman Shinawatra and her brother jailed for three years, her secretary for two years Several other claims also lodged
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.
Thailand's Supreme Court has agreed to try several cases against Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his power during his five years in office.
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).
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