'My family faced death threats'

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he would not return to Thailand to face graft charges, claiming he and his family face security threats and "unfair" treatment by the judiciary.

In a statement read out on the state-run NBT TV channel, Thaksin said he and his family would stay in exile in England indefinitely.

He claimed the judiciary employed "double standards" in processing legal cases against him and his family.

He and his family had received repeated death threats and had to travel in bullet-proof cars.

Thaksin said he thought the election in February of the People Power Party - many of whose members came from his now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party - would help "improve the situation". He had decided to return to Thailand on February 28, thinking the situation would be favourable and "permit me to prove my innocence".

"But the situation has worsened. What has happened to me is like a poisoned fruit from a poisoned tree," Thaksin wrote yesterday.

He claimed there was "intervention in the judicial system" that originated from a dictatorship with a hidden agenda to "get rid of me and my family".

"These individuals see me as a political enemy. They have no consideration for the judicial system, truth or legal principle. My family and I have been continuously treated unjustly."

Thaksin apologised to his supporters for having to go into exile and asked them to remain committed to him. "These are all results of my tireless effort to help the country. I apologise for having to seek relocation to England. I ask that all my supporters remain with me a bit longer."

He said he would reveal the whole truth at an appropriate time, adding: "Today is not my day."

Thaksin said he and his family remained loyal to the monarchy "even though some have tried to accuse me of being otherwise".

"I may not be a perfect man but I reaffirm that I am not as bad as some accuse me of being. If good fortune is on my side, I would like to return to Thailand and die there like other Thai people," he added.

It was not clear if Thaksin would seek political asylum in the United Kingdom, where he owns Manchester City football club.