Ex-Thai PM to remain in UK

Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand has told Thai media he intends to remain in the UK, and will not return home to face corruption charges. Mr Shinawatra, who owns Manchester City football club and who spent two years in exile in the UK before, was due to appear before a Bangkok court today. He had been given permission to leave Thailand to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday, and failed to return.

The billionaire was arrested when he returned to Thailand in March after two years in exile in the UK following a coup. Now there is speculation that he may try to claim political exile in the UK.

He told Thai media he would return in the UK "where democracy is more important" and that the corruption charges he faces were politically motivated. He added: "If I am fortunate enough, I will return and die on Thai soil, just like other Thais."