Shinawatra ordered to return home

Thaksin Shinawatra, the man currently negotiating to buy Manchester City, has been ordered to return to Thailand or face arrest.

The former Thai Prime Minister and his wife have been charged with concealing assets.

Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless coup last September, and has been targeted by several investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Police have ordered the exiled leader to return to Thailand and appear before them by June 29 or face arrest. He is currently living in London.

Department of Special Investigations Director-General Sunai Manomaiudom said police had strong evidence that Thaksin and his wife secretly held stock through nominee companies in SC Assets Corp. PLC, a Shinawatra family holding company.

Serving Thai Cabinet ministers are not generally allowed by law to hold shares in publicly listed companies. They are also required to reveal their assets, including stockholdings.

The police are charging Thaksin with violations on both counts when he was Prime Minister.