A Thai court today issued orders to arrest former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges in connection with riots over the past two months that were the worst in the country's modern history.
Armed with the arrest warrant, Thai prosecutors and the Foreign Ministry will launch a global hunt for the fugitive telecoms tycoon, a top government official said.
Mr Shinawatra was last believed to be in France for the Cannes film festival, but he keeps his location secret.
"The court said there was enough evidence to believe that he was the mastermind, having played a significant role in instructing and manipulating the incidents," Department of Special Investigations chief Tharit Pengdit said, referring to the riots.
Government officials say Mr Shinawatra funded the 10-week, anti-government protests to the tune of about $1.5 million a day and is believed to have organised the smuggling of arms and fighters from Cambodia.
If he is convicted of terrorism, he can be sentenced to death.
The Red Shirt protesters have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva quit and call new elections, saying they have been disenfranchised by a Bangkok elite supported by the military.
They mostly support Mr Shinawatra, who was prime minister until 2006 when he was ousted in a coup.
Meanwhile, Thailand's cabinet has agreed to extend a night curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces until May 29th, deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban said today.
The prime minister said the curfew, which will be in force between midnight and 4 am, was necessary to prevent more unrest, but would not be in place for seven days, as was announced yesterday.
"We have cut the timeframe from seven to four days because we want to limit the impact on the public," Mr Thaugsuban told reporters.
The curfew was put in place on May 19th after riots and arson attacks across Bangkok and in at least six provinces in the wake of an army crackdown to remove anti-government protesters in the capital.
Reuters