Thaksin could face deportation

Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag said Sunday their supreme court must officially inform his ministry of Thaksin's flight from the country amid a corruption probe.

The ministry would then begin the process of determining whether Thaksin's diplomatic passport would be voided.

Thaksin is known to have two passports, and the consequences of losing his official passport is likely to be little more than symbolic for the Manchester City owner.

Thaksin had earllier his diplomatic passport returned to him by former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama who had previously been the ousted premier's legal adviser.

Ousted in a bloodless coup d'etat in September 2006, Thaksin and his wife failed to appear early Monday at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to fight charges relating to the Ratchadaphisek land scandal which occurred in 2003.

The couple flew to London from Beijing after attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics held last Friday.

The court later in the day issued arrest warrants for them and confiscated their bail of 13 million baht.

Thaksin has his own residence in England and also bought Manchester City Football Club last year. His status of doing business in the UK raises questions as to whether his extradition is possible.

Tej said he would rather not say that an "obstacle" existed, but ministry officials would need to enquire with the Thai embassy in London, as well as the Home and Foreign offices of the British government as to whether there is a possibility of extraditing the couple to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Bangkok's supreme court is continuing with their probe into a corruption case against the Thaksins involving their purchase of prime Bangkok real estate in 2003. The purchase from the Bank of Thailand at a bargain price took place while Thaksin was Prime Minister. Thaksin and his wife deny any wrongdoing.