Protesters demand Thaksin's extradition from Britain

Around 2,000 protesters rallied outside Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, demanding that it revoke the diplomatic passport of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and extradite him from Britain.

The demonstration in Bangkok was led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy which organised a bigger protest on Tuesday at the British Embassy, calling for the British government to return the Manchester City FC owner to Thailand where he faces corruption charges.

Thailand has not requested Mr Thaksin’s extradition and he still carries a Thai diplomatic passport.

Bangkok newspapers reported today that Mr Thaksin and his wife Pojaman were applying for political asylum in Britain, where the multi-millionaire owns several properties.

But one of Mr Thaksin’s lawyers in Bangkok, Vichit Plangsriskul, said another lawyer of the ex-prime minister quoted by the press was just explaining that Mr Thaksin had the right to seek asylum.

“Thaksin is a criminal who ran away from the justice system. He does not deserve to carry a Thai diplomatic passport,” a key alliance leader, Sondhi Limthongkul, told the demonstrators.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy was at the forefront of mass street protests that led to Mr Thaksin’s ousting in 2006 through a bloodless military coup while the prime minister was abroad.

Mr Thaksin returned to Thailand in February to face court cases involving alleged corruption and abuse of power.

But Mr Thaksin and his wife failed to show up on August 11 to face charges against them before the Supreme Court, which has issued warrants for their arrest.

In a letter from London, Mr Thaksin explained his decision to flee, saying he could not expect a fair trial in Thailand.