• 
• 

Published on January 23, 2008

 The trial of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Khunying Pojaman over the questionable purchase of land in Bangkok begins today in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

Pichit Chuenban, Pojaman's lawyer, said she was ready to give evidence.

Pojaman is charged with using her husband's political influence to buy prime Bangkok real estate from a government agency at one-third of its estimated value.

A panel of nine judges will read the prosecutors' indictment statements to Pojaman who will then be asked to plead.

After her testimony, the court will schedule hearings for witnesses.

The police will provide security for Pojaman at the court. Deputy national police chief Police Lt-General Watcharaphol Prasarnratchakit yesterday wrote to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt General Asawin Kwanmuang asking him to ensure effective security measures.

Meanwhile, the exiled former prime minister had a yearning to enter the monkhood when he wanted to return to Thailand late last year, Phra Phrom Vajirayarn, the abbot of Wat Yannawa in Bangkok, said yesterday.

"Thaksin wanted to be ordained as a way of showing his respects to His Majesty the King on his 80th birthday," the abbot said.

The abbot confirmed rumours on Monday that Thaksin would like to become a monk once he returns to Thailand.

The abbot said Thaksin had two temples in mind.

The first one was Wat Nongwaeng in Khon Kaen, in the Northeast. He used to go through a ritual to remove bad luck at this temple when he was fighting his asset concealment case in 2001. The other temple was Wat Rongtham Sammakhi in Chiang Mai, his hometown.

"But because of changing circumstances, Thaksin could not carry out the plan," the abbot said.

The abbot denied Thaksin would be ordained at his temple, but said he was close to the former premier's family who often visit the temple.

"I don't think Thaksin will enter the monkhood for the time being," he said.

Kesinee Taengkhio,

  Janjira Pongrai

 The Nation