Critics suspicious of ex-couple's motives

Sak Kosaengruang, a member of the now-defunct, junta-appointed Assets Examination Committee, said he thought it might have something to do with Pojaman wanting to return to Britain to conduct business.

"I think she will benefit from the possibility of being able to return to England. She can now claim that she is no longer related to Thaksin," Sak said.

He added that the couple's Bt76 billion in assets frozen in connection with a corruption case would not be affected, as the alleged wrongdoing was committed when the two were married.

Sak, who is a legal expert, admitted however that future financial scrutiny of the two would become even more complicated from now on.

Komsan Phokong, lecturer in law at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and former junta-appointed member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said it was difficult to say for sure what was behind the surprise divorce.

He did not think it was because of Pojaman's supposed displeasure at Thaksin's continued political role, because Pojaman herself has been involved in politics.

"It may be about assets, because Thaksin likes to hide his assets in various places without letting Pojaman know and she could be upset about this. The divorce may be good for Pojaman's future income, as it would not be confiscated along with that of Thaksin [in pending legal cases]," said the lecturer.