Thousands of protesters gathered outside the British Embassy in Bangkok today to demand the return of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to face criminal charges.
Manchester City owner Thaksin and his wife fled to Britain last week rather than face the Supreme Court, which has issued warrants for their arrest.
Thaksin was toppled in a 2006 military coup but later returned to Thailand to face several court cases involving alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Police said about 7,000 demonstrators rallied peacefully in front of the embassy, carrying posters and shouting "Thaksin go to jail."
Thailand has not yet requested extradition of Thaksin, who owns several homes in England as well as the football club.
Thaksin still carries a Thai diplomatic passport. He has so far not been granted asylum or special treatment in Britain.
The protesters were led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a key figure of the People's Alliance for Democracy which orchestrated mass street protests leading to Thaksin's removal from office in the bloodless coup.
Last Friday the Supreme Court ruled that a corruption trial against Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, could proceed even though the couple fled the country.
Thai prosecutors are discussing the possibility of asking for Thaksin's extradition - usually a lengthy and complicated process.
On July 31, the criminal court convicted his wife of evading millions of dollars in taxes and sentenced her to three years in prison. She was released on bail pending an appeal.
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Thais demand Thaksin return
August 19, 2008
Thousands protest in Thailand
Thousands protest in Thailand
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Ted Striker, Banned from being Cunning for no apparent reason it would seem... (19/08/2008 at 14:31)
j the el, mancunia (19/08/2008 at 14:45)
you ain't wanted round here...
we've had yer money...
jerseyblue, jersey (19/08/2008 at 15:06)
Ace Shakepseare, manchester (19/08/2008 at 15:09)
Blue Benny (19/08/2008 at 15:29)
al the blue, manchester (19/08/2008 at 15:30)
dennis d, coventry (19/08/2008 at 16:11)
Blue_heart (19/08/2008 at 16:21)
All the publicity at the moment is one sided and biased, the truth has to win and Thaksin has stated himself that he feels the courts in his homeland are politicaly motivated.
I don't think anything is clear and won't be until this issue is sorted out by an impartial court which has no personal or political interest this is, that's the only way for the truth to come out and the truth will winning the day.
The media cannot be judge and jury without the facts, and in situation of this nature they should not show biase as they have done.
Guten Tag (19/08/2008 at 16:37)
Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands, Stockport (19/08/2008 at 16:48)
The Real Ferrari (19/08/2008 at 16:54)
PETE THE BLUE, salford 7. (19/08/2008 at 16:59)
robbers,i have supported city since 1953,
what a shambles,no wonder the reds
laugh at us.peter beachill.
The Original Blue John (19/08/2008 at 17:13)
I make no comment as to whether Thaksin is actually guilty of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, simply because I do not know. However, one only has to read Private Eye from time to time to see that nepotism and favouritism are alive and well in the corridors of power in this country, never mind Thailand. It goes with the turf to a degree. However, what is clear is that because Thaksin's enemies control the institutions that will sit in judgement on him, he has little chance of a fair trial there, and that the British Government may have some tough choices ahead.
It is perhaps worth noting though that no application has yet been made for his extradition, and it could be argued that this is because the Judiciary were complicit in his leaving the country, ie they gave him his passport back, and watched him leave for China with so much luggage that they almost had to hire an extra plane!
Finding him guilty in absentia, without having to endure the political uproar and upheaval associated with jailing him, is perhaps therefore an ideal outcome for them. However, until that happens, more rent-a-mob demos of this sort are likely to be commonplace.
From a City point of view, I have little doubt that Thaksin will not be allowed a single penny of his money back, whether he is actually guilty of the crimes alleged or rather just simply guilty of being Thaksin Shinawatra, and I think we are going to find ourselves in serious financial mire sooner rather than later.....but as that's where we were headed before Thaksin took the club over, the disappointment is somewhat dissipated!
sold me wellies, Canada (19/08/2008 at 17:14)
The Original Blue John (19/08/2008 at 17:30)
Bertie, the Judiciary in Thailand is appointed by the King, who is said to hate Thaksin with a vengeance, and his trial is being held in the enemy's own back yard so to speak (all Thaksin's support lies in poor rural areas), backed by a dripfeed of propoganda in the two main newspapers, both of which are also vehemently anti-Shinawatra. The opposition have played a clever game in Thailand, and have sought repeatedly to taint the new PPP Government for having too close a link with Shinawatra. They even succeeded in calling for a vote of no confidence in the Government (which vote they lost) on the subject. Consequently, the Government containing Thaksin's allies is in a weakened position. They can hardly be seen to dictate terms to the judiciary, even if that judiciary consists almost entirely of people opposed to its philosophies, given their own calls for democracy to be given a chance when the Military Government was previously in power. The Government is therefore effectively neutered and the judiciary is calling the shots regarding Shinawatra. If you're going to make ill informed and sanctimonious posts, do it on the United page where you belong, there's a good boy.
kismet, moston (19/08/2008 at 19:15)
Bertie may I suggest you read Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichits book titled the Business of Politics in Thailand. It clearly shows the autonomous power held by the Judiciary, the Government, the King and the military.If you do that you would not come on here and make a fool of yourself.
John the only question remaining is will Shinawatra dip into his fortune outside the country to keep City going.If he doesn't then it is time to go.
I'm not a number (19/08/2008 at 19:35)
Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands, Stockport (20/08/2008 at 07:51)
curiousyellow, Rusholme (20/08/2008 at 08:12)
Howellsey (20/08/2008 at 08:16)
dennis d, coventry (20/08/2008 at 08:34)
The Thai authorities are trying to arrange a swap deal with Man City.
They are suggesting a straight swap, Shinawatra for Gary Glitter.
Mike the City fan (20/08/2008 at 09:28)
bluestreety, Hollingworth (20/08/2008 at 11:01)
The Original Blue John (20/08/2008 at 12:20)
It is now 2 weeks since you reared your ugly head, and you have still yet to state what the glorious alternative to Thaksin was, where we would be now if the bid had not been accepted (playing Plymouth Argyle with a 15 point deficit is my best guess), and how we are any worse off now than we were then. You can bluster and bray all you want, but until you are prepared to answer those questions, you will continue to have zero credibility on this site.
dennis d, coventry (20/08/2008 at 12:57)
Go into administration.
Sell Richards, Hart and Johnson.
Sell to Ranson, who only promised 5M investment
Take a gamble on Shinawatra and the possible investment.
Wardle took a gamble.