July 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 5, 1429

BANGKOK, July 8: Thailand’s Supreme Court opened corruption proceedings on Tuesday against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, in his first criminal trial since a coup nearly two years ago.

Thaksin is accused of using his political influence to help his wife Pojaman buy a plot of prime Bangkok real estate from the central bank at a bargain price.

They each face up to 13 years in prison if convicted. Because the case is before the Supreme Court, they would have no avenue of appeal.

The flaboyant billionaire, who owns the Manchester City football club, and his wife did not attend the opening of the trial. Their lawyers had sought the court’s permission for the proceedings to begin in their absence.

The military accused Thaksin of widespread corruption when royalist generals toppled his government in September 2006. Despite more than a year of military rule, this is the first case against him to reach trial.

The hearing began with the judges simply asking prosecutors to call the first witness, former Thai prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa.

Another of Thaksin’s predecessors, Chuan Leekpai, was also in the courtroom and expected to give testimony later.

The case centres on whether Thaksin as prime minister had direct control over the central bank’s Financial Institution Development Fund, which sold land to Pojaman at one-third of its estimated value.

Banharn and Chuan are expected to testify about what, if any, influence the prime minister has over the agency.

The case is the first in a slate of legal proceedings against Thaksin’s aides and family this month.—AFP