World: Thai prosecutors in London to investigate Thaksin Shinawatra

Friday, 12 October 2007

A team of Thai prosecutors are due to arrive in London today to investigate the possibility of extraditing the Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra on corruption charges. The former Thai prime minister, who was ousted by a military coup in September last year, has lived in self imposed exile in London ever since. He protests his innocence and insists the cases against him are politically motivated. "We are not yet submitting, during this trip, any formal request for Britain to repatriate him,” said Nanthasak Poolsuk, the leader of the Thai delegation, before leaving Bangkok.

"We will only consult British prosecutors on the legal procedures and evidence that a British court would require.”

Mr Thaksin currently faces two potential charges in Thailand.

One relates to an alleged conflict of interest in a £11 million land deal involving his wife and the national bank.

The other alleges illegal share dealing activities.

Other investigations are also continuing.

Britain has an extradition treaty with Thailand dating back to 1911, but a suspect can only be extradited if charged with an offence that also exists in British law, if there is a strong case against him and if the courts decide he would receive a fair trial at home.

If convicted of any crime Mr Thaksin could be barred from owning a Premiership football club.

Mr Thaksin remains a controversial figure in Thai politics.

He enjoyed unprecedented success at the ballot box and retains the loyalty of many people, especially among the poor.

But allegations of corruption have damaged his reputation among the middle classes.

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