I've got no link to this yet, but Pojamin's been in court this morning to hear her fate regarding the Shin Corp/Tensamak deal (I'm pretty sure it's that, not the BKK land deal).
Anyway, the missus has been watching the court proceedings live on Thai telly and Pojamin has just got three years behind bars.
More on this to follow, I'm sure.
Criminal Court convicts Pojaman for tax evasion
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Randy Cornhole
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Here's a link from The Nation's website - breaking news - today:
Criminal Court convicts Pojaman for tax evasion
The Criminal Court hands down a guilty verdict on the tax evasion case involving Khunyin Pojaman Shinawatra and two fellow defendants.
The court sentences Pojaman and her brother Bhanapot Damapong to serve three years in jail. Two years for the charges relating to the conspiracy to evade tax. One year for giving falsified statements.
Defendant Kanchanapa Honghern is punished with a two-year jail term for involving in the conspiracy.
The Nation
Criminal Court convicts Pojaman for tax evasion
The Criminal Court hands down a guilty verdict on the tax evasion case involving Khunyin Pojaman Shinawatra and two fellow defendants.
The court sentences Pojaman and her brother Bhanapot Damapong to serve three years in jail. Two years for the charges relating to the conspiracy to evade tax. One year for giving falsified statements.
Defendant Kanchanapa Honghern is punished with a two-year jail term for involving in the conspiracy.
The Nation
And a bit more from the BKK Post. She and the other defendants got bail. 30 days to appeal:
(BangkokPost.com) - The Criminal Court slapped Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra and her step-brother Bannapot Damapong three-year imprisonment on tax evasion case Thursday.
Her secretary Karnchanapa Honghern was handed down two-year jail for colluding in an effort to evade tax worth 546 million baht on the transfer of shares worth 738 million baht in Shinawatra Computer and Communication.
They have the right to appeal within 30 days from now.
They are released on a five-million-baht bail per person.
(BangkokPost.com) - The Criminal Court slapped Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra and her step-brother Bannapot Damapong three-year imprisonment on tax evasion case Thursday.
Her secretary Karnchanapa Honghern was handed down two-year jail for colluding in an effort to evade tax worth 546 million baht on the transfer of shares worth 738 million baht in Shinawatra Computer and Communication.
They have the right to appeal within 30 days from now.
They are released on a five-million-baht bail per person.
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Randy Cornhole
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This was reported on the 29th; I wonder if it still stands:
(BangkokPost.com) - The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions gave permission for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman to leave the country at the end of the month to attend business in Japan and China.
The court also ordered that they report themselves to the court on August 11, which is one day after they plan to return to Thailand.
No explanation of the trips was provided, but the Olympic Games are to begin in Beijing on Aug 8, when the couple will be there.
Mr Thaksin asked the court's permission to fly to Japan and China from July 31 to Aug 10, while Khunying Potjaman will go to China on Aug 5 to 10.
The couple also asked for the permission to travel to the United Kingdom on Aug 15 to 20, but the court said it would decide on that after they return from their first trip.
(BangkokPost.com) - The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions gave permission for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman to leave the country at the end of the month to attend business in Japan and China.
The court also ordered that they report themselves to the court on August 11, which is one day after they plan to return to Thailand.
No explanation of the trips was provided, but the Olympic Games are to begin in Beijing on Aug 8, when the couple will be there.
Mr Thaksin asked the court's permission to fly to Japan and China from July 31 to Aug 10, while Khunying Potjaman will go to China on Aug 5 to 10.
The couple also asked for the permission to travel to the United Kingdom on Aug 15 to 20, but the court said it would decide on that after they return from their first trip.
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Guess
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According to ASTV, Thaksin has done the sensible thing and left his wife to face the music while he went to the UK for business purposes.STEVE G wrote:........................The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions gave permission for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman to leave the country at the end of the month to attend business in Japan and China........
................. asked for the permission to travel to the United Kingdom on Aug 15 to 20, but the court said it would decide on that after they return from their first trip.
End of the transfer season perhaps?
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sandman67
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I dunno....it seems like the judiciary have now, with public support, become the nation's conscience and theres a tidal wave of crap heading the Thaksins' way.
I can see the pair of them becoming effective exiles and going on a high society version of "on the lam" but that would just allow the Thai govt/judiciary to freeze all their assets and holdings here....surely? Shin Corp shares should take a dive too .....
The other thing is the Thai media will love doing in cell visits and exposes if she does get easy time.....and they get access everywhere by the look of it.
Reading the paper's postbags there does seem to be a rising awareness of just how corrupt the Thaksins were, and rising anger at the police and govt for not taking action.
Id say the way things are heading Thaksin and his family are screwed as far as Thailand goes. I think they will run and carry on the international "mea culpa" act they've been playing since 2006.
What the Thai language media need to do now is show the North just how much these hi-so swine screwed them, and just what could have been done with all the dosh they pocketed.....$16M (and all the rest of the dosh they stole) builds a lot of local schools and hospitals, roads, local power plants, infrastructure and development projects.
I found it interesting it was Mr T who was sniffling in court whilst Mrs T was stoic...... makes you wonder who is actually the power eh?
I can see the pair of them becoming effective exiles and going on a high society version of "on the lam" but that would just allow the Thai govt/judiciary to freeze all their assets and holdings here....surely? Shin Corp shares should take a dive too .....
The other thing is the Thai media will love doing in cell visits and exposes if she does get easy time.....and they get access everywhere by the look of it.
Reading the paper's postbags there does seem to be a rising awareness of just how corrupt the Thaksins were, and rising anger at the police and govt for not taking action.
Id say the way things are heading Thaksin and his family are screwed as far as Thailand goes. I think they will run and carry on the international "mea culpa" act they've been playing since 2006.
What the Thai language media need to do now is show the North just how much these hi-so swine screwed them, and just what could have been done with all the dosh they pocketed.....$16M (and all the rest of the dosh they stole) builds a lot of local schools and hospitals, roads, local power plants, infrastructure and development projects.
I found it interesting it was Mr T who was sniffling in court whilst Mrs T was stoic...... makes you wonder who is actually the power eh?
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
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"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
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Guess
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[quote="Guess"..................Thaksin Shitawan has done the sensible thing and left his wife to face the music while he went to the UK for business purposes..............[/quote]
The latest is that she has stumped up the 18 million bail pending appeal and his UK visa application has been put on hold.
They have been given permission to get out to China and I understand that is where they are now going. Of course China would like one of it's richest and most famous sons to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. How he became rich is irrelevant in China.
We will see. I wonder if this is the Thai way of letting him go free while recouping some of the missing billions in his absence.
With a bit of luck they can seize his Man City stockholding.
The latest is that she has stumped up the 18 million bail pending appeal and his UK visa application has been put on hold.
They have been given permission to get out to China and I understand that is where they are now going. Of course China would like one of it's richest and most famous sons to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. How he became rich is irrelevant in China.
We will see. I wonder if this is the Thai way of letting him go free while recouping some of the missing billions in his absence.
With a bit of luck they can seize his Man City stockholding.
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Will they return? From today's Bangkok Post:
Today's Top Stories
Thaksin: I'll be back
Two intimates of the family of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra waved off speculation on Thursday he would go into exile to avoid court cases and possible prison sentences.
Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, who is deputy prime minister and education minister, insisted deposed premier Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman are not seeking political asylum, and they will return to fight their charges in Thailand.
His personal spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said the same thing: "He has told me he will return as planned and so far I haven't been informed of any change of plan."
Khunying Potjaman, her step-brother Bannapot Damapong and Mrs Thaksin's secretary Kanchanapa Honghern left Thailand on Thursday morning on a Thai Airways International flight to Beijing. Some of her three children broke down into tears as they saw her off.
Reports have been rife that they would seek political asylum after the Criminal Court sentenced the three to jail.
Adding a touch of irony, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej also departed for the opening of the Beijing Olympics - on the same flight as Khunying Potjaman.
Mr Thaksin is scheduled to return from China on Sunday. He flew from Thailand to Japan on July 31 to give a special lecture before proceeding to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Rumours that Mr Thaksin would go into exile and save the country a lot of political turmoil helped to send shares at the Stock Exchange of Thailand leaping up by more than 4 per cent on Thursday, brokers claimed.
(Other brokers, however, credited falling oil prices and a partial return of foreign funds to the SET for the rise.)
Mr Thaksin and his wife are both travelling abroad, with court permission. They are to meet in China as the Olympics begin on Friday, and are to return - under terms of their agreement with the court - next Monday.
"Please wait until he returns," said Ms Sansanee to reporters. "Please avoid any speculation for now."
Mr Somchai said Mr Thaksin will appear before the court on Aug 11 as ordered. He said the ousted prime minister has always followed the court’s orders.
The court earlier found Khunying Potjaman, and her step-brother guilty of conspiring to evade taxes of 546 million baht on the transfer of shares in Shinawatra Computer and Communication, the old name for Shin Corp.
They were sentenced to three years in jail, and Khunying Potjaman's secretary Karnchanapa Honghern received a two-year prison sentence in the case. All three are out on bail while the case is appealed.
Mr Somchai said Khunying Potjaman still has confidence in the Thai justice system, and will appeal her case normally.
Today's Top Stories
Thaksin: I'll be back
Two intimates of the family of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra waved off speculation on Thursday he would go into exile to avoid court cases and possible prison sentences.
Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, who is deputy prime minister and education minister, insisted deposed premier Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman are not seeking political asylum, and they will return to fight their charges in Thailand.
His personal spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said the same thing: "He has told me he will return as planned and so far I haven't been informed of any change of plan."
Khunying Potjaman, her step-brother Bannapot Damapong and Mrs Thaksin's secretary Kanchanapa Honghern left Thailand on Thursday morning on a Thai Airways International flight to Beijing. Some of her three children broke down into tears as they saw her off.
Reports have been rife that they would seek political asylum after the Criminal Court sentenced the three to jail.
Adding a touch of irony, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej also departed for the opening of the Beijing Olympics - on the same flight as Khunying Potjaman.
Mr Thaksin is scheduled to return from China on Sunday. He flew from Thailand to Japan on July 31 to give a special lecture before proceeding to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Rumours that Mr Thaksin would go into exile and save the country a lot of political turmoil helped to send shares at the Stock Exchange of Thailand leaping up by more than 4 per cent on Thursday, brokers claimed.
(Other brokers, however, credited falling oil prices and a partial return of foreign funds to the SET for the rise.)
Mr Thaksin and his wife are both travelling abroad, with court permission. They are to meet in China as the Olympics begin on Friday, and are to return - under terms of their agreement with the court - next Monday.
"Please wait until he returns," said Ms Sansanee to reporters. "Please avoid any speculation for now."
Mr Somchai said Mr Thaksin will appear before the court on Aug 11 as ordered. He said the ousted prime minister has always followed the court’s orders.
The court earlier found Khunying Potjaman, and her step-brother guilty of conspiring to evade taxes of 546 million baht on the transfer of shares in Shinawatra Computer and Communication, the old name for Shin Corp.
They were sentenced to three years in jail, and Khunying Potjaman's secretary Karnchanapa Honghern received a two-year prison sentence in the case. All three are out on bail while the case is appealed.
Mr Somchai said Khunying Potjaman still has confidence in the Thai justice system, and will appeal her case normally.
More speculation. From today's Bangkok Post:
Asylum for Thaksin?
By Pradit Ruangdit and Wichit Chantanusornsiri
Speculation is rife that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjaman will not return to Thailand on Sunday after all, but instead stay abroad and seek asylum.
On Friday, they attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
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.
On July 31, the Criminal Court found Khunying Potjaman guilty of conspiring to evade tax totalling 546 million baht in the transfer of shares in the Shinawatra Computer and Communication company. She was sentenced to three years in jail and was later released on bail.
Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, one of the couple's closest aides, said he talked with people in close contact with Mr Thaksin about rumours the couple would seek political asylum, but the truth has yet to be established.
"Some denied the rumour, others confirmed it," Mr Surapong said.
Arisman Pongruangrong, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, said Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman will definitely return to Thailand after the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games.
They have booked seats on a flight from Beijing to Bangkok tomorrow, Mr Arisman said.
"His return will go according to schedule. Mr Thaksin confirmed that he will come back to fight all the cases in Thailand. He has never thought of seeking asylum as has been rumoured," said Mr Arisman.
A source at the Supreme Court said if the couple fail to turn up on Monday to report to a panel of judges handling the Ratchadaphisek land case, the judges may issue arrest warrants for them and may conduct the trial of the couple in absentia.
"Actually, the defendants' testimonies have no bearing on the trial. The defendants have denied the allegations all along. It depends on the evidence," the source said.
Meanwhile, Sakda Khongphet, a leader of the Isan Pattana faction of the People Power party (PPP), said he will give evidence showing misconduct by top people in the party to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
The Isan Pattana group has exposed the rise of the so-called "gang of four" within the PPP, whom it has accused of trying to dominate the party and cashing in on state projects to prepare for the next election.
The gang is believed to comprise Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, his secretary-general Theerapol Nopparampa, Dr Surapong and Newin Chidchob, a veteran MP who controls a large PPP faction of northeastern MPs.
The Isan Pattana faction claims the gang of four, guided by Mr Newin, is planning to form a coalition government with the Democrats if the PPP is dissolved.
"He [Mr Thaksin] told me that he has been aware of the movements of the gang of four and he said he felt hurt," Mr Sakda said.
However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban denied any knowledge of the plan.
A PPP source said Mr Thaksin sent his younger sister, Yingluck, to talk to Mr Newin and his group of MPs during a meeting of the party's northeastern MPs led by Mr Newin on Thursday. The group is called "Newin's friends". Maha Sarakham MP Suthin Klangsaeng, a member of the group, said Ms Yingluck explained that Mr Thaksin had nothing to do with the moves of the Isan Pattana group.
I suppose tomorrow's D-Day. If they don't turn up at court, then the chances are higher that they won't be coming back.
Asylum for Thaksin?
By Pradit Ruangdit and Wichit Chantanusornsiri
Speculation is rife that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjaman will not return to Thailand on Sunday after all, but instead stay abroad and seek asylum.
On Friday, they attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
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.
On July 31, the Criminal Court found Khunying Potjaman guilty of conspiring to evade tax totalling 546 million baht in the transfer of shares in the Shinawatra Computer and Communication company. She was sentenced to three years in jail and was later released on bail.
Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, one of the couple's closest aides, said he talked with people in close contact with Mr Thaksin about rumours the couple would seek political asylum, but the truth has yet to be established.
"Some denied the rumour, others confirmed it," Mr Surapong said.
Arisman Pongruangrong, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, said Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman will definitely return to Thailand after the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games.
They have booked seats on a flight from Beijing to Bangkok tomorrow, Mr Arisman said.
"His return will go according to schedule. Mr Thaksin confirmed that he will come back to fight all the cases in Thailand. He has never thought of seeking asylum as has been rumoured," said Mr Arisman.
A source at the Supreme Court said if the couple fail to turn up on Monday to report to a panel of judges handling the Ratchadaphisek land case, the judges may issue arrest warrants for them and may conduct the trial of the couple in absentia.
"Actually, the defendants' testimonies have no bearing on the trial. The defendants have denied the allegations all along. It depends on the evidence," the source said.
Meanwhile, Sakda Khongphet, a leader of the Isan Pattana faction of the People Power party (PPP), said he will give evidence showing misconduct by top people in the party to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
The Isan Pattana group has exposed the rise of the so-called "gang of four" within the PPP, whom it has accused of trying to dominate the party and cashing in on state projects to prepare for the next election.
The gang is believed to comprise Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, his secretary-general Theerapol Nopparampa, Dr Surapong and Newin Chidchob, a veteran MP who controls a large PPP faction of northeastern MPs.
The Isan Pattana faction claims the gang of four, guided by Mr Newin, is planning to form a coalition government with the Democrats if the PPP is dissolved.
"He [Mr Thaksin] told me that he has been aware of the movements of the gang of four and he said he felt hurt," Mr Sakda said.
However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban denied any knowledge of the plan.
A PPP source said Mr Thaksin sent his younger sister, Yingluck, to talk to Mr Newin and his group of MPs during a meeting of the party's northeastern MPs led by Mr Newin on Thursday. The group is called "Newin's friends". Maha Sarakham MP Suthin Klangsaeng, a member of the group, said Ms Yingluck explained that Mr Thaksin had nothing to do with the moves of the Isan Pattana group.
I suppose tomorrow's D-Day. If they don't turn up at court, then the chances are higher that they won't be coming back.
As a Brit, I must say that I'm extremely disappointed that the muppets seem to have made it to England and appear to have been let in. I wonder what visas they're on? Potjamarn is a fugitive now and Thaksin's about to become one unless he turns up at court in BKK this morning. That dosn't seem very likely, unless the article below is incorrect.
From today's Bangkok Post:
Missed the flight'
Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjamarn have fled to London and will not be back for their court cases, a close supporter said on Sunday after the couple failed to catch their scheduled flight back from Beijing to Bangkok.
The couple were to catch Thai Airways International Flight 615, which arrived on time at Bangkok at 9:45pm on Sunday - without the high-level passengers on board.
Reports they would catch another flight looked like disinformation. People Power party MP Pracha Prasobdee said the couple would not return, despite promises from them and their spokesmen, including Mr Pracha himself.
The Samut Prakan MP told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport that Mr Thaksin will make a statement from London at 9am Thailand time on Monday, an hour before he and his wife were ordered to return and report to the Supreme Court on charges they face separately and together.
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.
Two other cases against Mr Thaksin - the digit lottery case and the Exim Bank soft 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.
Flight to London and semi-permanent exile may cause Mr Thaksin and his wife to lose their bail and even cost them them 69 billion baht in frozen funds, it might also be good for the country.
"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 added.
Last Thursday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand surged by 4 per cent on rumours the couple would be headed into exile. Business circles, at least, believe political tension will easy significantly if the couple stay away for a lengthy time.
Thaksin lawyers were quoted by NBT TV news as saying the couple would be represented in court on Monday morning as scheduled - but did not say they would be there in person.
They do not need to be present for the land trial to continue on schedule for now.
Kriangkrai Juengjaturapit, chief judge of the 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 Khunying Potjaman will report to the court, or that they will lodge a request to go overseas," Mr Kriangkrai said.
The lawyers told NBT on Sunday Mr Thaksin had ordered his legal team to prepare to fight all charges against him, including the two- and three-digit lottery case, and the four billion baht loan granted to Burma.
The deposed premier also ordered the legal team to prepare to file lawsuits against core leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Kraisak Choonhavan, a Democrat party list MP and former senator, on defamation charges.
Their son and daughter, Mr Panthongtae and Miss Pinthongta, had earlier flown to England to meet their parents, a Thai newspaper reported.
Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjamarn had attended the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday evening.
Rumours 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 and lawyers encouraged that charade by detailing alleged plans to ask the court for permission for another trip abroad..
But on Sunday, both Pongthep Thepkanchana and Sansanee Nakpong were unavailable, their mobile phones switched off and their credibility likely ruined.
From today's Bangkok Post:
Missed the flight'
Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjamarn have fled to London and will not be back for their court cases, a close supporter said on Sunday after the couple failed to catch their scheduled flight back from Beijing to Bangkok.
The couple were to catch Thai Airways International Flight 615, which arrived on time at Bangkok at 9:45pm on Sunday - without the high-level passengers on board.
Reports they would catch another flight looked like disinformation. People Power party MP Pracha Prasobdee said the couple would not return, despite promises from them and their spokesmen, including Mr Pracha himself.
The Samut Prakan MP told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport that Mr Thaksin will make a statement from London at 9am Thailand time on Monday, an hour before he and his wife were ordered to return and report to the Supreme Court on charges they face separately and together.
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.
Two other cases against Mr Thaksin - the digit lottery case and the Exim Bank soft 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.
Flight to London and semi-permanent exile may cause Mr Thaksin and his wife to lose their bail and even cost them them 69 billion baht in frozen funds, it might also be good for the country.
"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 added.
Last Thursday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand surged by 4 per cent on rumours the couple would be headed into exile. Business circles, at least, believe political tension will easy significantly if the couple stay away for a lengthy time.
Thaksin lawyers were quoted by NBT TV news as saying the couple would be represented in court on Monday morning as scheduled - but did not say they would be there in person.
They do not need to be present for the land trial to continue on schedule for now.
Kriangkrai Juengjaturapit, chief judge of the 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 Khunying Potjaman will report to the court, or that they will lodge a request to go overseas," Mr Kriangkrai said.
The lawyers told NBT on Sunday Mr Thaksin had ordered his legal team to prepare to fight all charges against him, including the two- and three-digit lottery case, and the four billion baht loan granted to Burma.
The deposed premier also ordered the legal team to prepare to file lawsuits against core leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Kraisak Choonhavan, a Democrat party list MP and former senator, on defamation charges.
Their son and daughter, Mr Panthongtae and Miss Pinthongta, had earlier flown to England to meet their parents, a Thai newspaper reported.
Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjamarn had attended the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday evening.
Rumours 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 and lawyers encouraged that charade by detailing alleged plans to ask the court for permission for another trip abroad..
But on Sunday, both Pongthep Thepkanchana and Sansanee Nakpong were unavailable, their mobile phones switched off and their credibility likely ruined.
Looks like its official ...
Lawyer says Thaksin and family arrive in England
(BangkokPost.com) - Mr Vichit Plangsrikul, the lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, confirmed that his client and family have arrived in England.
Thaksin’s legal team is currently drafting a report to explain why the deposed premier and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, failed to appear before the court in Thailand on Monday.
The team is expected to submit the report to the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, but it is waiting to hear Mr Thaksin’s statement with the foreign media in England first.
Thought: So the great hero of Thai politics and freedom flees his own country, what a great example to the Thai youth and aspiring politicians. Even getting his own proxy puppet government back in couldn't help him. Word of the day: somnumna. Its just a shame that England opens its legs like the whore it is to just about anyone providing they're rich enough.
Lawyer says Thaksin and family arrive in England
(BangkokPost.com) - Mr Vichit Plangsrikul, the lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, confirmed that his client and family have arrived in England.
Thaksin’s legal team is currently drafting a report to explain why the deposed premier and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, failed to appear before the court in Thailand on Monday.
The team is expected to submit the report to the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, but it is waiting to hear Mr Thaksin’s statement with the foreign media in England first.
Thought: So the great hero of Thai politics and freedom flees his own country, what a great example to the Thai youth and aspiring politicians. Even getting his own proxy puppet government back in couldn't help him. Word of the day: somnumna. Its just a shame that England opens its legs like the whore it is to just about anyone providing they're rich enough.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
