Thousands protest against toppled Thai PM

Thousands of protesters have gathered in front of Thailand’s national police headquarters to demand action on long-pending legal cases against toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Today’s demonstrators, led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, are accusing police authorities of protecting Mr Thaksin and his loyalists against prosecution by stalling their investigations.

Mr Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless military coup in 2006 with the alliance and other groups accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.

The former leader returned from exile earlier this year, vowing to clear his name in court.

Mr Thaksin is the owner of Manchester City Football Club.