THAILAND: Former PM faces arrest after refusing to return home
Updated
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not be returning to Thailand from Britain to face criminal charges. Mr Thaksin had previously said he would return and defend himself against charges of tax evasion and corruption. The Thai military government which ousted Thaksin in a coup last year intends to issue an arrest warrant if he fails to show up.
Presenter: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Noppodon Pattama, Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer; Bangkok based political analyst, Chris Baker
SNOWDON: Last week a defiant Mr Thaksin said he would return to Thailand and prove the charges against him were wrong.
He's been charged with misconduct relating to his wife's purchase of Bangkok real estate. Already his bank accounts have been frozen, and he's been banned from politics for five years along with the party he formed and which dominated the Parliament.
The Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont has said HE can ensure Mr Thaksin's safety if he returns, but now Mr Thaksin's lawyer Noppodon Pattama says that's a hollow promise.
NOPPODON: We are very grateful for his guarantee. Can he guarantee the safety of people in his house? He cannot. We trust that he's a good man, but we cannot leave the fate or the lives of our client in the hands of the prime minister or the chairman, General Sunti. We don't trust their ability to provide adequate safety to our client.
SNOWDON: Now living in exile in London, Mr Thaksin has enjoyed travelling around the world since the September coup which ousted him.
He might be able to continue that lifestyle as it's unlikely he can be extradited, according to political analyst Chris Baker.
BAKER: On past record extraditing someone from the UK back to Thailand is very, very difficult indeed. There's a famous case of one of the financiers who fled after the Asia crisis ten years ago and who very successfully has defied extradition proceedings for ten years.
SNOWDON: So what can we expect to be perhaps the Thai court's response? Do you think they'll follow up with an extradition, will they bother to pursue extradition through the courts?
BAKER: I think they will pursue the case, I think they have to for form's sake. But there's already been talk here in the press and amongst the judges that they have very low expectations.
SNOWDON: But in the meantime they've frozen his bank accounts. I suppose he's unlikely to be able to have that money returned?
BAKER: Yes, I mean the risk to Thaksin of doing that is that he may lose quite a bit of the money that has currently been frozen here, and is subject to various law suits, yes it's quite a high financial risk for him.
SNOWDON: Thai society remains divided over the blatant cronyism and corruption of the Thaksin government, with many maintaining fond memories of his popular policies.
But while cheaper health care and forgiven farm loans ensured electoral success the already wealthy family was enriching itself with the privileges of power.
Lawyer Noppodon Pattama has advised his client to stay away because he says Thaksin can't get a fair trial in Thailand before democracy is restored.
NOPPODON: First reason is Thailand is a dictatorship regime. The due process of law has been interfered, and been interfered and has been abused. Secondly we think that our client won't get a fair trial. Thirdly, safety issue, we don't trust the government and the junta ability to take good care of our client. And fourthly, the national reconciliation in Thailand should proceed without Thaksin being blamed for instigating or masterminding or orchestrating any rally. So four major reasons that we will advise our client not to return to Thailand. He should come back after democracy returns to Thailand.
SNOWDON: Lawyer Noppodon Pattama who wouldn't comment on Mr Thaksin's multi-million dollar bid for the Manchester City Football Club. Thai elections have been promised by the military government for the end of the year.
