Supreme Court issues arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife

Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders issued the warrant at the request of the public prosecutors.

Seksan Bangsomboon, director of the Special Litigation Department, requested for the arrest warrant after Thaksin and Pojaman failed to appear the first hearing of the arraignment of the charges scheduled on Tuesday.

The public prosecutor made the request in counter of a request by lawyers of Thaksin and Pojaman who asked the case trial to be indefinitely delayed on grounds that the former prime minister and his wife felt it was unsafe for them to travel to Thailand now.

The court postponed the first hearing for the case to September 25.

Court secretary Rakkiart Watanapong said the Supreme Court will have no choice but to issue arrest warrants for the two in order to apprehend them for trial.

Rakkiart said Thaksin and Pojaman appeared to rely on an "unusual defence" by acting in defiance of the court's summons.

He also noted the defence had not submitted any rebuttals.

Thaksin's legal team earlier issued a statement reaffirming that he and his wife would definitely not return to Thailand before the outcome of the general election.

"Thaksin and Pojaman will fight their charges after the election," the statement said.

Public prosecutor ask court to issue arrest warrant against Thaksin, wife

A public prosecutor Tuesday asked a special court to issue arrest warrants against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, related to the alleged abuse of authority over the Ratachada land purchase.