Seizure of billions of Thaksin's assets continues

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Position Holders has sentenced Thaksin to a two-year jail term in connection with a land case. But seven other cases against the ousted PM are still in different stages of process with the court and other agencies.

Thaksin was absent in the first hearing of two of the seven cases. His absence resulted in the cases being suspended since the law requires that the defendant must be present before the court during the first hearing.

Former AEC members Sak Korsaengruang and Amnuay Tantara agreed that the cases must be delayed.

Sak said Thaksin's absence in the first hearing would affect cases where he is the only defendant. The cases must be suspended until Thaksin is back, he said.

However, Thaksin's absence would not affect the alleged corruption case which could result in seizure of Thaksin's Bt76 billion assets, Sak said. Although Thaksin is the only defendant, the case is a civil case, not a criminal one, and the law does not require his presence during the first hearing.

Amnuay said Thaksin's absence would not affect cases where he has codefendants including the illegal launch of two and threedigit lotteries. Other defendants included former Cabinet members and the board of the Government Lottery Office, so the court can proceed with the case by leaving only Thaksin's suspended.

However, other former AEC members agreed that the court could proceed with the cases although Thaksin was not in the country. Procedures of the law are stated clearly, they said.

Udom Fuangfung said the National AntiCorruption Commission could continue investigating the source of the money Thaksin had used to buy the Manchester City Football Club and  the alleged corruption in  the purchase of CTX9000 bomb scanners.

Meanwhile, the attorneygeneral can consider whether to submit the SC Asset share concealment to the court.

Former AEC member Banjerd Singkaneti said Thaksin had no right to say that the Thai justice system was unfair in proceeding with the case while he was away. The court must follow procedures according to the law, he said.

"Trialling of the cases when a defendant does not come to court, the court has proceedings freeing from the absence's impact. Meanwhile, the court opens the chance for the defendant to clarify himself. The court has given the chance to Thaksin to defend himself but he chose not to defend," Banjerd said.