Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin ends their marriage in Hong Kong

Thaksin's spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana yesterday confirmed news of the divorce, but said he did not know the reason behind the separation, adding that he did not ask because he considered it a personal matter.

"After the news broke, I had it confirmed by a credible person close to Thaksin, who confirmed his divorce from Khunying Pojaman," Pongthep said.

The spokesman declined to confirm speculation that the divorce had been caused by Pojaman's displeasure at Thaksin having ignored her advice to leave politics for good. "I respect their personal rights," said Pongthep.

He said he did not think the couple's separation would affect Thaksin's popularity or the legal cases against the ex-premier.

The divorce reportedly was sealed at the Thai Consulate in Hong Kong last week.

Sources close to Thaksin's family yesterday described the move as a "divorce on paper only" for practical and legal reasons.

They explained that by adopting such a "strategy", both Thaksin and Pojaman would be able to continue on separate paths. The ousted leader would now be able to campaign actively against his political enemies, particularly the People's Alliance for Democracy.

For Pojaman, it would be easier for her to apply for a visa in Britain and many of the assets held under her name would not be seized if Thaksin were found guilty in a major corruption case, the trial of which begins next month.

A large proportion of the Shinawatras' assets are in Pojaman's name.

"The divorce will earn Thaksin much sympathy from his supporters. For them, Thaksin has been persecuted so much that his family becomes separated," said one of the sources.

Pojaman recently saw her British visa revoked along with that of Thaksin because she was his spouse. The British government said the major reason for revocation was the two-year jail sentence against Thaksin in the Ratchadaphisek land scandal case. Pojaman was the co-defendant in the case, but she was acquitted on the grounds that she was not a public official.

With a British visa, Pojaman would be able to live with and take care of the couple's three children in the United Kingdom.

Some politicians close to Thaksin said yesterday that they did not think the divorce had been caused by Pojaman's displeasure that Thaksin did not heed her advice for him to leave politics for good.

"Thaksin and his wife remain very close, and they have grown even closer since their problems began in Thailand," said one source.