Thailand's Thaksin guilty of graft charge
Thaksin Shinawatra
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Tuesday, 21, Oct 2008 10:17
A Thai court has sentenced the country's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to two years in absentia in the first of a series of corruption charges laid against him.
Mr Thaksin and his wife Pojaman fled to Britain in August where they are now living in exile. The former Manchester City owner could face up to 23 years in prison as a result of the verdict.
He was alleged to have used his political influence while prime minister to buy a plot of prime real estate in Thailand's capital Bangkok under market value.
The land, purchased in his wife's name, was owned by the state and opposition politicians have accused Mr Thaksin of a conflict of interest.
Observers predict the verdict is likely to widen the already huge political gulf currently dividing Thais.
Mr Thaksin's successor Samak Sundaravej was forced to stand down in September as anti-government protestors – the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) – occupied the Government House compound in Bangkok.
The PAD said Mr Samak was allowing Mr Thaksin to rule by proxy, an accusation levelled against the current PM, Somchai Wongsawat, who is already facing calls for his resignation after police dispersed demonstrators with tear gas grenades.
Despite the turmoil, the Thai military has insisted it is not preparing another coup.