Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is escorted by police officers from the Criminal Court yesterday. Pojaman, along with her brother and secretary, were freed on bail after being charged with tax evasion.

The wife of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was yesterday charged with evading more than half a billion baht in tax, in the first significant legal strike against the family since Thaksin was ousted in the September 19 coup.

Khunying Pojaman appeared at the Bangkok Criminal Court with brother Bhanapot Damapong and personal secretary Kanchanapa Honghern. They were surrounded by tight security.

Reporters and photographers were on hand as were about 20 supporters with red roses and banners reading, "We are with you".

If convicted, Pojaman and Bhanapot face up to of 14 years in prison and Bt400,000 in fines. They will also have to pay outstanding tax, estimated by the Assets Examination Committee at Bt500 million.

Kanchanapa, if found guilty, faces a maximum of seven years in jail and a Bt200,000 fine. Prosecutors will say she did not play a direct role in the alleged evasion.

The three suspects were released after posting Bt5 million bail each. They appeared at 9.30am to hear the charges.

May 14 has been set as the first trial day, according to Pojaman's lawyer Noppadon Pattama.

The charges date back to 1997 when the Shinawatra clan allegedly circulated a huge volume of stock in the family company among themselves without paying tax.

The prosecution is the first against people close to the former prime minister who has himself been accused of widespread corruption.

Coup leaders cited Thaksin's alleged corruption as justification for his ouster and have faced strong criticism for being slow to prove their allegations, many of which remain under investigation.

Yesterday's indictment was also the first against a spouse of a prime minister for criminal and tax offences. Prosecutors said earlier they would treat the case as a

criminal conspiracy, and the matter could not be settled out of court if the defendants decided to meet their tax obligations.

In the past, coup leaders have often used their power to seize the assets of ousted leaders and family members.

Noppadon - who also represents Thaksin - told reporters the court prohibited the defendants from discussing the case publicly or "giving interviews or doing anything that could affect or obstruct the trial". The court added the trial was in the public interest, he said.

Violating this prohibition can result in bail being revoked, he added.

Wearing a mustard-yellow-silk dress Pojaman maintained her composure as she was escorted through an army of reporters and cameramen.

 As many as 100 police provided a shield for Pojaman as she walked from her car to the court.

She smiled at supporters but was unable to receive their flowers. Noppadon said afterwards Pojaman said she was sorry she could not thank them in person.

Acting Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana, brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, close aide Phadung Limcharoenrat and public figure Darunee Kritboonyalai were among the group. Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang remained at party headquarters.

Thaksin has been in exile since the coup. He released a video for his family, saying "in such time of trouble, nothing matches the moral support among father, mother and children".

Public prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon yesterday filed the 12-page charge in court. It alleges the three defendants evaded tax and intentionally gave false information to evade tax.

Kesinee Tangkhiew

The Nation