sriracha john Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 More news from his home country... Daily Mail - 10th August 2008 Thai PM Thaksin flies to London rather than face corruption charges Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has today flown back to London on the eve of facing multiple corruption charges in Bangkok. The billionaire was due to return to Bangkok after watching the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, but MP Pracha Pasobdee told reporters at the airport he had spoken to a Thaksin aide who said the former prime minister would be making a statement 'via the foreign media' tomorrow from London. That is the same time that Thaksin, who owns Premier League Manchester City, and his wife are meant to report to courts under bail conditions set in various corruption cases against them. If true, his decision not to return to fight a series of cases would signal a significant easing of the political tension that has dogged the government and Thai markets for the last three years. On Thursday, the stock market rose 4 per cent as rumours circulated that Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman, who is on bail after being sentenced to three years in jail for tax fraud, might not return from their trip to China. Before the weekend, spokesmen for the couple insisted they would return to Bangkok on the Thai Airways flight today, in time for both to report to the courts on Monday as required by their bail conditions. But two airline industry officials said they did not get on the plane. 'There is no Shinawatra family member on the flight,' the industry source said. Thaksin's lawyer and his principal spokesman in Thailand had their mobile phones switched off today. 'If Thaksin really doesn't come back, the conflict in our country will lessen, which implies that our prolonged political trouble will come to an end soon,' Kavee Chukitkasem, head of research at Bangkok brokerage Kasikorn Securities, said. 'The markets should definitely rise tomorrow,' he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 His ex-home country also reports... Thaksin fleeing to England? Thaksin and his wife failed to return to Bangkok yesterday, sparking wild rumours that the couple might be planning an exile in England. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman Shinawatra failed to board a Thai International Airway Sunday afternoon flight from Beijing to return to Bangkok as earlier scheduled. People Power Party sources said there were rumours the couple and their children would be seeking exile in England. The sources said it was understood that Thaksin and Pojaman were already on their way to England where they would meet their children. These claims cannot be immediately verified. People's Power Party MP Pracha Prasopdee told people awaiting to see Thaksin at Suvarabhumi Airport that Thaksin would not return home Sunday night. Pracha said Thaksin could possibly come back Monday morning and go directly to the Supreme Court. Samut Prakarn MP Pracha told the Thaksin supporters they should go home. Pracha said, somewhat tongue-in-cheek that Thaksin could issue a statement from London why he did not go to Bangkok as scheduled. He did not elaborate. The Shinawatra couple's no-show at the Chinese airport send Thai media outlets scrambling to check flight schedules and fuelling earlier speculation that the couple would never return from their trip to China following a guilty court verdict on Pojaman recently and a looming court ruling the couple in connection with the Ratchadapisek land case. A THAI official source that the couple did not show up at Bejing airport to board TG 615 flight which left Bejing at 5.35pm Sunday. The flight is scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.45pm. The next THAI filight is on Monday morning which arrives BKK at noon Monday, which means that even if they will be on this flight, they will miss a schedule to testify in court at 9am. China Airlines does not have flights that land in Thailand Sunday night. Air China International has a 10.30 pm flight to Bangkok from Beijing. Thaksin was in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic on Friday. He is due to return to Bangkok to testify on Monday in a Supreme Court's hearing on the Rachadaphisek land-purchase deal, in which both Thaksin and Pojaman have been accused of abuse of power by taking part in the bidding for land owned by the Financial Institutions Development Fund, a unit of the Bank of Thailand. Rumours had spread that they might not return home after Khunying Pojaman was sentenced to three years imprisonment for avoiding paying Bt546-million tax. Rumour mill said that they might seek political asylum in a foreign country. A diplomatic headache will await Thailand and England if the exile speculation is confirmed, with repercussions spreading as far as the football pitch of Manchester City, a Premier League club bought by Thaksin last year. The couple's legal aides and personal spokespersons earlier on Sunday denied Thaksin and Pojaman were planning an exile, saying they would arrive back in time for the testimony. Later Sunday evening, the likes of Pongthep Thepkanchana, Sansanee Nakpong and Sitha Thiwaree did not answer reporters' phone calls. Reporters on Sunday evening were also trying to confirm reports that Thaksin's children had left Thailand. - The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy2 Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 A question mark still hangs over whether former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman will return to Thailand to face legal proceedings, with speculation rife the couple may seek asylum. They were in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics yesterday. It was reported that the couple may go into exile overseas to escape the legal proceedings awaiting them at home. The couple are being tried at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for alleged wrongdoing in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Two other cases against Mr Thaksin _ the lottery case and the Exim Bank loan to Burma _ are pending in the same court. Five other cases against Mr Thaksin and his cronies are with the Office of the Attorney-General. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steffi Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 So I guess they'll be revoking his diplomatic passport now then right? If there are any family members left in Thailand they should not be allowed to leave but he won't be so stupid to leave family members in Thailand whilst he flees. They are pretty good at co-ordination. "Pracha said said tongue in cheek that Thaksin could issue a statement from London why he did not go to Bangkok as scheduled. He did not elaborate."They could still fly in on a private jet but I doubt it. The transition from Little Emperor to Coward the Great is seamless. They are as predictable as a Thai cop on the side of the road. How could he dare ask for asylum when his own government is in power, his wife allowed to walk on bail and they are still allowed to come and go as they please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 (edited) So I guess they'll be revoking his diplomatic passport now then right?If there are any family members left in Thailand they should not be allowed to leave but he won't be so stupid to leave family members in Thailand whilst he flees. They are pretty good at co-ordination. He's a bail-jumper... no different than a crack addict... as for his criminal litigant offspring... it's uncertain now whether they've fled or not... The sources said it was understood that Thaksin and Pojaman were already on their way to England where they would meet their children. These claims cannot be immediately verified.Reporters on Sunday evening were also trying to confirm reports that Thaksin's children had left Thailand. - The Nation Edited August 10, 2008 by sriracha john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clifton Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Both in violation of their bail terms :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operator Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has today flown back to London on the eve of facing multiple corruption charges in Bangkok. The billionaire was due to return to Bangkok after watching the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, but MP Pracha Pasobdee told reporters at the airport he had spoken to a Thaksin aide who said the former prime minister would be making a statement 'via the foreign media' at 2am tomorrow from London. That is the same time that Thaksin, who owns Premier League Manchester City, and his wife are meant to report to courts under bail conditions set in various corruption cases against them. Thaksin Shinawatra, front, and his wife Potjaman at criminal court in Bangkok. Potjaman was sentenced to three years in jail for tax evasion If true, his decision not to return to fight a series of cases would signal a significant easing of the political tension that has dogged the government and Thai markets for the last three years. On Thursday, the stock market rose 4 per cent as rumours circulated that Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman, who is on bail after being sentenced to three years in jail for tax fraud, might not return from their trip to China. Before the weekend, spokesmen for the couple insisted they would return to Bangkok on the Thai Airways flight today, in time for both to report to the courts on Monday as required by their bail conditions. But two airline industry officials said they did not get on the plane. 'There is no Shinawatra family member on the flight,' the industry source said. Thaksin's lawyer and his principal spokesman in Thailand had their mobile phones switched off today. 'If Thaksin really doesn't come back, the conflict in our country will lessen, which implies that our prolonged political trouble will come to an end soon,' Kavee Chukitkasem, head of research at Bangkok brokerage Kasikorn Securities, said. 'The markets should definitely rise tomorrow,' he said. Thaksin was removed by the army in a coup in 2006 on the grounds of 'rampant corruption', although many analysts suspected the hand of the royalist military establishment moving against what it saw as an arriviste Chinese billionaire. However, his lingering popularity in the countryside ensured an avowedly pro-Thaksin party won December's general election, allowing him to continue to influence cabinet appointments and decisions. Since then, however, the courts have accepted a series of corruption cases against Thaksin and his inner circle, and last month's guilty verdict against Potjaman suggested they were not going to be intimidated by his wealth or influence.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 the former prime minister would be making a statement 'via the foreign media' at 2am tomorrow from London. Thaksin, the trend-setting innovator... 2 am press conferences.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Ex- to exile?: Former PM and wife no-shows on THAI flight BANGKOK, Aug 11 (TNA) – Rumours that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojjaman may go into exile overseas gained credibility late Sunday night as the couple failed to return to the Thai capital as earlier scheduled. A source said that Thai Airways International's TG flight 615 on which Thaksin and his wife had advance reservations for their return from the Beijing Olympics arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport without the couple on board. Their failure to appear on the flight disappointed a group of faithful supporters led by ruling People Power Party MP Pracha Prasopdee, who were waiting to meet Thaksin at the airport. Pracha advised the former premier's supporters to return home, saying that the ex-premier might come back to Bangkok Monday morning instead. However, he later revealed that he was informed Thaksin would not return for the time being. Instead, Thaksin will issue a statement from London at 9 am Monday stating why he did not go to Bangkok as scheduled, Pracha said without elaboration. Earlier, an official airline source said the three Thaksin children -- Panthongtae, Pinthongta and Paethongtan -- departed Bangkok for London on Saturday. It was also noted the the children had been in tears when their parents left Suvarnabhumi for Beijing. Thaksin and his wife attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Friday. The former Thai prime minister was under obligation to testify Monday morning in a Supreme Court hearing on the controversial Rachadaphisek land-purchase deal. Thaksin and his wife have been accused of abuse of power by bidding for the land owned by the Financial Institutions Development Fund, a unit of the Bank of Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshbags Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 (edited) Ousted PM and wife fail to board flight to Bangkok - THE NATION - Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife; Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra did not board a Thai International Airway flight from Beijing to return to Bangkok as earlier scheduled. A THAI official said that the couple did not show up to board TG 615 flight which left Bejing at 5.35pm. The flight is scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.45pm. >>>>>>>>>>>>> No real surprises here. The Nation all last week was predicting such a scenario. And if you were Thaksin - and a three year prison sentence had been passed down on your wife - with little hope of the appeal succeeding - what would you do? No criticsm re your post, B.M., just an observation to expand on the failure to return. ( Assuming they have not managed to return secretly so as not to get the much adored phoney public idolasion they love. ) His wife is the only one already convicted and sentenced to 3 years in jail. It is presently on appeal and obviously the guilty verdict ( which is based on evidence ) and the probable failure of it being successful is the reason she has gone AWOL as you mention. On the hand Thaksin at present has not been sentenced one way or the other in relation to his crimes, which, is, for anyone who thinks it is a vendetta and purely politica, is based on overwhelming evidence put before the court. Why then does he have to leave the country when he is due only on a preliminary hearing, have to do like wise and go with her. ( Her adult children are already rumoured to have gone to the U.K. to meet her and keep her company ) Surely he should stay and abide by the courts requests to appear and incidently, of which he promised to abide by and return for the Monday morning appearance. He is obligated to attend and has no excuse what so ever in not returning himself. His wife on the other hand has gone on the run as many high profile criminals do around the globe, simple as that. The U.K. should now refuse her entry in exile based simply on the fact that she is just a low life criminal on the run to escape justice / serve her sentence as was passed in accordance to Thai law, that of late has become a respected institution based on the willingness to deal with these individuals and at long last make them accountable for their henious crimes on Thai society. There is no excuse what so ever for this and first and foremost the bail deposit must be forfeited in total and additional penalties added to the existing ones. marshbags P.S. You are spot on B.M. and yes, it is the best thing for the countries rehabilitation and retaking of the groun these unscrupolous criminals have stolen over many unchallenged years Edited August 11, 2008 by marshbags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvo Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Instead, Thaksin will issue a statement from London at 9 am Monday stating why he did not go to Bangkok as scheduled Thaksin will just protest his innocence and be crying "informe, informe, they've all got it in for me!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai Dee Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thai former PM Thaksin may announce political asylum Rumors about if Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will seek political asylum aboard will be clear on Monday, since Thaksin will make an announcement through his lawyers in Bangkok in the morning, a political source said. The source told Xinhua that during his talks with Thaksin's lawyer on Monday morning, the ex-premier may make an announcement on Monday morning to explain the reason why he does not return to Thailand for his case as scheduled. The source said Thaksin has already flied to London from Beijing with his wife Potjaman. His only son and one of his two daughters also flied there recently since another daughter had been there already. It is said that Thaksin is very likely to announce the political asylum state through the announcement. The couple were due to report to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday morning for a hearing on their trials in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Flight to London and semi-permanent exile may cause Thaksin and his wife to lose their bail and even cost them 69 billion baht (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) in frozen funds. Rumors they were preparing to go into exile dominated Bangkok political circles last week. Their spokesmen have repeatedly said the duo will be back and make their court appearance. Source: Xinhua - 11 August 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisrandom Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 i am the only farang who likes the way they handle stuff in thailand? the results is the same in the west (the people in power never go to jail) but the song and dance number is just so much more fun to watch and less painful and nowhere near as drawn out in thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai Dee Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Ousted Thai PM Thaksin misses flight home Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not return home again, a pro-Thaksin MP said on Sunday, suggesting the telecoms billionaire who was removed in a 2006 coup had flown into exile in London. If true, Mr Thaksin's decision to flee rather than fight a string of highly divisive corruption trials could mean the beginning of the end of the political turmoil that has dogged Thailand's government and markets for the last three years. 'If Thaksin really doesn't come back, the conflict in our country will lessen, which implies that our prolonged political trouble will come to an end soon', Mr Kavee Chukitkasem, head of research at Bangkok brokerage Kasikorn Securities, said. 'The markets should definitely rise tomorrow', he added. Mr Thaksin had been due to return on Sunday from the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing along with his wife, Potjaman, who was found guilty last month of tax fraud and sentenced to three years in jail. However, two airline industry sources told Reuters the couple had never got on the plane. Minutes later, Mr Pracha Prasobdee, a member of the pro-Thaksin party that won the post-coup election in December, told reporters at the airport: 'He will not return to Thailand again'. Mr Pracha said he had been told by an aide Mr Thaksin would make a statement 'via the foreign media' from London around the same time that he and his wife were meant to report to the courts under bail granted in various graft cases against them. The couple had been due to appear at around 10 am (11 am Singapore time). On Thursday, the stock market rose four per cent as rumours intensified that Thaksin and Potjaman might skip bail to London, where at least one of their three adult children is studying. Before the weekend, spokesmen for the couple insisted they would return to Bangkok on the Sunday evening Thai Airways flight. Both Thaksin's lawyer and his principal spokesman in Thailand had their mobile phones switched off on Sunday. Mr Thaksin was removed by the army in a 2006 military coup on the grounds of 'rampant corruption', although many analysts also saw the hand of the royalist military establishment moving against what it saw as an arriviste Chinese billionaire. However, his massive popularity in the countryside ensured an avowedly pro-Thaksin party won December's general election, allowing him to continue to exert huge sway over cabinet appointments and decisions. Since then, however, the courts have accepted a string of corruption cases against Thaksin and his inner circle, and last month's guilty verdict against Mrs Potjaman suggested the judges were not going to be cowed by his wealth or clout. The very real prospect of his wife doing jail time - she has only one chance to appeal - would probably have convinced Mr Thaksin to try to cut a deal with his opponents rather than continue the legal fight to clear his name, analysts say. Source: Straits Times - 11 August 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yumidesign Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 It will be more interesting to know the verdict of his next court case....... his lawyer is going to enter a 'no-show' kinda court proceeding? And what of the loyal secretary and relo. who face the same time in jail as did madame lash, who was allowed to leave the country whilst on bail, this was all a pre arranged set up, and the lawyers in jail without their lunch boxes. This will make a great Hollywood movie. Maybe Mr T has gone to London to negotiate the movie rights to keep him cashed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve2UK Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/0...KSIN-FLIGHT.phpCheers Got to love the headline from the International Herald Tribune - a classic: Ousted Thai PM Thaksin seen not returning home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Lawyer says no contact from Thaksin, wife BANGKOK: -- A lawyer of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Pojama, said Monday the couple had not contacted him yet. Khamnuan Chalopatham said it was not uncertain whether Thaksin and Pojaman would show up for the trial in the Ratchadapisek land case. Khamnuan said he would wait until 10:30 am before making a statement to the court. The Supreme Court's head office is packed with reporters waiting to cover the corruption case related to the Ratchada land purchase against Pojaman and Thaksin. -- The Nation 2008-08-11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haltes Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 (edited) I can see no grounds for them being granted asylum. She has been convicted and should be refused entry to the country. Edited August 11, 2008 by haltes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thai former PM Thaksin may announce political asylum BANGKOK, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Rumors about if Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will seek political asylum aboard will be clear on Monday, since Thaksin will make an announcement through his lawyers in Bangkok in the morning, a political source said. The source told Xinhua that during his talks with Thaksin's lawyer on Monday morning, the ex-premier may make an announcement on Monday morning to explain the reason why he does not return to Thailand for his case as scheduled. The source said Thaksin has already flied to London from Beijing with his wife Potjaman. His only son and one of his two daughters also flied there recently since another daughter had been there already. It is said that Thaksin is very likely to announce the political asylum state through the announcement. The couple were due to report to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday morning for a hearing on their trials in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Flight to London and semi-permanent exile may cause Thaksin and his wife to lose their bail and even cost them 69 billion baht (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) in frozen funds. Rumors they were preparing to go into exile dominated Bangkok political circles last week. Their spokesmen have repeatedly said the duo will be back and make their court appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudhopper Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I can't believe that the UK would ever grant them any sort of asylum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxexile Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 does the uk have an extradition treaty with thailand ? mrs. t is in fact a convicted criminal on the run and the uk , (who of late have been very enthusiastic in sending british white collar suspects ( not yet tried and convicted ) back to to the states when the they asked for them) , and allowing her to remain in the uk would certainly raise some comments from the uk press. it would be interesting to see whether the uk courts would send her back if thailand asked for her return..... although i suspect that this whole farce was a done deal with the thais before they even left for china last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 although i suspect that this whole farce was a done deal with the thais before they even left for china last week. Very much likely IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocFilmGuy Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Just my two cents worth on the Shinawatras. I'm no expert, but I think that if they weren't so kii niaow they probably wouldn't be in this mess. Consider the Shincorp sale to Temasek. Most corrupt businessmen would be smart enough to just minimize their tax liability somewhat - not brazenly eliminate it by setting up an offshore shelter and gifting shares to the children and maid. But, that Ample Rich moniker does make me smile. Love football? Before shelling out your own dough on an English team first try to get the taxpayers to foot the bill - that way you achieve great face for no money. If plan A doesn't work have the lawyers get the best deal they can. Then we have the Racha land fiasco. The only real problem with this arrangement was the sweetheart price. If she had paid fair market no one would care. But what I will never understand is the recent lunchbox bribery. 2 million baht. What on earth were they thinking? You can barely buy a decent condo or even a new Mercedes for that. I think the judges might have taken the money if they weren't so insulted by the offer. I mean, a relatively minor former Puea Pandin candidate who used to be the leader of TAT got twenty times that for awarding a meaningless film festival to some washed up Hollywood producer. And to think most of the punters down in Nana get called Cheap Charlie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steffi Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Does Thaksin and his family still travel on diplomatic passports? although i suspect that this whole farce was a done deal with the thais before they even left for china last week. Very much likely IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray23 Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 My preview of the press conference, not real just mine. I can't get a fait trial in Thialand. Translation couldn't buy my way out of it yet. Seems to me he left his old boys holding the bag. So how are they going to fight for thier existence now, that is the major question in my mind. Nit that the Thaksins jumped n bail that was chump change for them. How a far are they goign to go to get these constituion changes. That is really the key, not just for Taks, but all the big boys. Them changing thier party isn't going to stop a thing How far will the PAD go to stop them. Will the UK help him out I have no diea, But Zibabwe would be perfect and I think what he and his family really deserve. This isn't over not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thai stock market may rise on Thaksin exile talk BANGKOK: -- Speculation that ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may go back into exile, which would lower political tension, could boost the Thai stock market <.SETI> on Monday, analysts said. Thaksin and his wife failed to take their planned flight from Beijing to Bangkok on Sunday and a pro-Thaksin member of parliament said they would not return home again. [iD:nBKK60863] "This is positive to the market in the short term, but we still have to keep an eye on how this story will end finally," said Sukit Udomsirikul, an analyst at Siam City Securities. "It will also help stimulate foreign buying," he added. Thaksin was ousted by the military in September 2006. A government widely seen as his proxy has been in power since its victory in an election last December but it has been dogged by street protests by Thaksin's opponents. Some analysts said any market rise would be limited as the index had started to factor in the Thaksin developments from last Thursday. In addition, the recent fall in oil prices and freight rates should prompt selling of energy shares and shipping firms. "It will jump at the openning trade, but it might not go far beyond 705 points," said Tisco Securities strategists Viwat Techapoonpol. The market had risen 4 percent last Thursday as rumours intensified that Thaksin and his wife, in the middle of a series of court cases, might skip bail and go to London, where at least one of their three adult children is studying. The index fell 2.08 percent to 690.70 on Friday as investors took profits, with an interest rate row between the country's finance minister and central bank chief contributing to the fall. Thaksin had been due to return on Sunday from the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing along with his wife, Potjaman, who was found guilty last month of tax fraud and sentenced to three years in jail. The baht <THB=>, quoted at 33.71-33.75 per dollar, was expected to trade in a narrow range of 33.70/80 on Monday, dealers said. "The Thaksin case is not a big deal on the forex market today. The baht should follow the regional weaker trend," one dealer said. Thai bonds <0#THTSY=>, whose yields were largely lower last week due to a drop in global oil prices that helped ease inflation concerns, were unlikely to go much lower for now as money would shift from bonds to stocks, a bond dealer said. The Thai stock market has fallen 19.5 percent this year, but that still makes it Southeast Asia's second-best performer after Singapore <.FTSTI>. Foreign investors have sold Thai shares worth a net 90.5 billion baht ($2.7 billion) so far this year, due partly to the domestic political strife and global credit concerns. They bought a net 55 billion baht of Thai stocks in 2007. The SET index is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.03, well below the double digit levels of other Asian bourses, including the 12.65 in Jakarta <.JKSE>. ($1=33.71 Baht) -- TFN 2008-08-11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray23 Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Yep thats what I going to do run right down there and buy some Thai stocks, a soon as I'm finished eating the bar of soap. The only thing that ha changed is where Taksin is hanging his hat today. It ain't over till it's over and this ain't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerbeer Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 its ok, if he doesn't really like living in china, UK would welcome him with open arms. the courts should should have known better than to leave that lady on bail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insight Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Yep thats what I going to do run right down there and buy some Thai stocks, a soon as I'm finished eating the bar of soap. The only thing that ha changed is where Taksin is hanging his hat today.It ain't over till it's over and this ain't it. I don't think we're too far off. The press in the UK could be considered more hostile towards Thaksin than compared to Thailand (if that were possible), and we've still got the courts decision today and the UK reaction to it, if any. Put it this way - there's not much chance of him being considered an "innocent victim" after this move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Kriangkrai Juengjaturapit, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, said if the couple fail to turn up today their lawyers must offer an explanation to the court. "If there are no reasons given, or the reasons are not good enough, the court will consider that they have the intention of fleeing and they will face arrest warrants," Mr Kriangkrai said. The court would then continue the trial of the couple in absentia until a verdict is given, he said. If the couple fail to appear on the day the verdict is given, the reading of the verdict will be adjourned for 30 days. After that, if the two still do not show up, the court will read out the verdict in their absence, Mr Kriangkrai said. "Until now, there have been no reports that Thaksin and Potjaman will report to the court, or that they will lodge a request to go overseas,'' Mr Kriangkrai said. Thaksin's lawyer, Kamnuan Chalopathum, said he was not aware of the cancellation of their return flight to Thailand. http://www.bangkokpost.net/110808_News/11Aug2008_news03.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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