Criminal Wanted: Thaksin and Pojamarn

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign affairs have said that they were considering revoking the diplomatic passport of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled to Britain with his wife on Sunday, prompting the country’s Supreme Court to issue arrest warrants for them.

Probe: Thaksin Shinawatra is facing extradition Photo: Getty Images

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign affairs have said that they were considering revoking the diplomatic passport of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled to Britain with his wife on Sunday, prompting the country’s Supreme Court to issue arrest warrants for them.

Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag said their supreme court must officially inform his ministry of Thaksin’s flight from the country amid a corruption probe, which would then begin the process of determining whether the billionaire’s diplomatic passport would be voided, the Thai News Agency reported.

Thaksin is known to have two passports, and the consequences of losing his official passport is likely to be little more than symbolic for the Manchester City owner.

According to the Thai News Agency, Bunnag said officials from his ministry would need to speak with the Thai embassy in London, as well as the British Home and Foreign Offices, regarding the possibility of extradition to Thailand.

A Thai foreign ministry official said they had not received any information as to whether Thaksin, and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, who is on bail after being sentenced on July 31 to three years in prison on tax evasion charges, would seek political asylum in Britain.

In a faxed statement to news outlets in Bangkok, Thaksin explained his weekend flight to Britain, saying he was forced to flee because his political foes were tinkering with the judicial system to get rid of him and his family.

Thaksin’s latest self-exile comes less than six months after his return to Thailand after a 2006 military coup that ousted him as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Bangkok’s supreme court is continuing with their probe into a corruption case against the Thaksins involving their purchase of prime Bangkok real estate in 2003. The purchase from the Bank of Thailand at a bargain price took place while Thaksin was Prime Minister. Thaksin and his wife deny any wrongdoing.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2548613/Thaksin-Shinawatra-could-face-deportation--Football.html