Protesters demand Thaksin extradition

Protesters have gathered outside the British Embassy in Bangok demanding the extradition of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Mr Thaksin over corruption allegations. About 7,000 protesters from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement rallied peacefully in front of the embassy, carrying posters and shouting: "Thaksin go to jail". In a letter to ambassador Quinton Mark Quayle, the PAD called for the British Government to turn down any request for asylum from Mr Thaksin. Thailand has not yet requested extradition of Mr Thaksin, who owns several homes in England. Mr Thaksin still carries a Thai diplomatic passport. He has so far not been granted asylum or special treatment in Britain. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "It is our long-standing policy to neither confirm nor deny whether an extradition request has been received for a particular individual. "Every case is considered on its merits, in line with our international commitments and the terms of UK extradition legislation." The Foreign Office confirmed that a peaceful protest was held outside the Bangkok mission, but added the Embassy was carrying on "business as usual". The protesters were led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a key figure in the PAD which orchestrated mass street protests leading to Mr Thaksin's ousting from office in the bloodless coup. Last week the Supreme Court ruled that a corruption trial against Mr Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, could proceed even though the couple fled the country.

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ITN | August 19, 2008

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