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BANGKOK - Thai officials on Thursday delivered a court summons to the apparently empty Bangkok home of toppled premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been ordered back from exile to face graft charges.
An official from the Attorney General's Office, who declined to be named because of a court order preventing discussion of the case, said writs were posted at both Thaksin's luxurious house and a property registered to his wife Pojaman.
"There was no answer, so the court officials posted the summons in front of both houses," the official said. "Nothing can be done until the first hearing, scheduled on August 14, except deliver the order."
Thailand's Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear corruption charges against Thaksin and his wife. Thai authorities could issue an arrest warrant for the couple if they do not return to the kingdom.
Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in September last year, is accused of illegally influencing a deal in 2003 to allow Pojaman to buy land from a government agency at a bargain price. They both deny the charges.
The wealthy tycoon has been living in exile since his ouster, mostly in London. His lawyer has said that neither Thaksin nor Pojaman plan to return on August 14 to enter a plea because they fear they will not get a fair trial.
Military leaders ousted Thaksin last year, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power. They have been under pressure to pin the billionaire down on graft charges.
- AFP /ls
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