July 31, 2008
Bangkok - Rumor has it that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to seek his political asylum abroad to escape the Thai judicial process.
He plans to leave Thailand late Thursday for trips to Japan and China, where he will attend the opening of the Olympic Games, according to his spokesman.
His wife Pojaman will join him in Beijing for the opening of the Olympics.
Thaksin lost his faith in the judicial proceedings after his wife Pojaman had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
It is highly possible that Thaksin will seek asylum abroad.
The Criminal Court gave its verdict against Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, her step brother Banpot Damapong and her private secretary Miss Kanchanapa Honghern this morning.
They were all found guilty of illegally avoiding paying taxes.
546 million baht of taxes was not paid though 4.5 million shares of the Shinawatra Computer & Communications Group was traded.
The share deal valued 738 million baht.
The court granted the ex-premier and his wife’s travels to Japan and China next month on July 28.
They were told to appear before court on August 11.
Thaksin is now facing corruption charges against him in the Ratchada land scandal, Exim Bank’s loan giving to Myanmar and lottery case.
