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This is the fourth warrant to be served on Thaksin since his exile in London last month.

The high court convened its session on the lottery case involving 47 defendants, including Thaksin and his ministers, responsible for the illegal sale of two- and three-digit lottery tickets.

Among the defendants include three incumbent Cabinet members, Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

The three took leave of absent from today's Cabinet meeting in order to appear before the high court.

With the exception of Thaksin who was absent, all 46 defendants entered a plea of not guilty.

The high court suspended the trial proceedings pertaining to Thaksin until he could be brought to the court's custody.

For the remaining defendants, the next session is scheduled for December 22 which would last three days for the ruling on admissible evidence.

The high court ruled in favour of trial in absentia in order to speed up the proceedings without requiring every defendant to be present at every hearing.

It also instructed the defendants to seek a prior approval for travelling abroad.