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 29 August 2008 06:57 BST

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra bailed on Thailand return

Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 16:49
Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ended his self-imposed exile earlier today.

The Manchester City owner was immediately arrested and driven to Thailand's supreme court to face corruption charges. A warrant had been issued last August.

Mr Thaksin was granted bail for up to nine million baht (£150,000), although reports conflicted on the price.

He is returning in an attempt to clear his name of corruption allegations dating from his time in power, which ended in a military coup in September 2006.

Among the allegations against him is the claim he ensured his wife Pojaman won the right to purchase land in Bangkok by illegally suppressing rival bids.

Mr Thaksin denies all wrongdoing and had been living abroad, mostly in the UK, since the coup. He responded to cheering crowds of supporters greeting him by falling to his knees and kissing the ground.

Analysts say popular support is a key motivating factor behind his decision to return to Thailand now.

Although his Thai Rak Thai party has been dissolved for electoral fraud, the Pro-Thaksin People Power party (PPP) won the first elections since the coup in December.

Powerful supporters in government are expected to increase Mr Thaksin's chance of escaping guilty verdicts, although some believe his move is still a high-stakes gamble.

If convicted he faces up to 15 years in prison.End of story


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