Thai court orders Thaksin arrest

[MVF]

Mr Thaksin has remained abroad since last year's bloodless coup
Thailand's Supreme Court has issued an arrest warrant for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on corruption charges.

The ruling came after Mr Thaksin and his wife failed to attend court in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

The court was to hear the first of a series of corruption cases being brought against the former leader.

Mr Thaksin, who has recently bought Manchester City football club, was ousted by a military coup last year.

He has been living overseas since then, mainly in the UK.

"The court has approved arrest warrants against the two suspects," Judge Tonglor Chomngarm said. "Both should be brought before the court."

Mr Thaksin has been ordered to appear to hear charges he abused his power by helping his wife buy land from a state agency at a favourable price.

He denies any wrongdoing and says the cases against him are politically motivated.


http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6945676.stm

We can't remain ignorant of this, and the possible ramifications for the club .. Does England have an extradition treaty with Thailand ?

[BDegan]

The two countries have a long-standing extradition treaty, although each case is decided on its merits, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Bangkok.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6945676.stm

I guess they do. I hope england at least waits for a new democratically elected office to take office before they even think of extraditing him.

[CityBlues]

He could still chair City from a jail cell right?

[Alan D]

Its another attempt to stop from from being chairman. We knew what they were going to do so its no surprise and everything will be fine. The British Government does not recognise the Thai Junta as a government so even if the Thais issue an arrest warrant, then it doesnt mean anything will be done about it. Even if he is arrested, his daughter and son (I think he has a son) are on the board of the club so they will take over should Thaksin be arrested so everything will be fine whatever happens. Come the Winter, Shinawatra will have his money back and have his name cleared because the Thai Junta do not have any evidence against him. In December, there are democratic elections so he should have a fair hearing then rather than it being corrupt. Anyway, they've been insisting on him being arrested for ages so it changes nothing. It will be time to worry if he is actually arrested - Until then, theres nothing to worry about.

[CityBlues]

He doesn't appear to be too worried about it.

[thejuggernaut]

I can't help but think Manure is behind this. CITY WILL OVERCOME!!!

[Bluechester]

I can't help but think Manure is behind this. CITY WILL OVERCOME!!!


Them tossers at old trafford are getting scared:D