Bangkok: Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment in absentia in a case involving charges of irregularities in a land purchase deal, will not appeal the court ruling, his lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer Kamnuan Chalopatham said he had telephoned Mr. Thaksin - now in Dubai - to see if he would appeal the ruling handed down by the Supreme
Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on October 21 which sentenced him to two years imprisonment in absentia while his then wife Pojaman was set free in the case.

The constitution allows for an appeal to be lodged with the court within 30 days of reading the verdict, on condition that new witnesses or new evidence can be produced which might alter the outcome of the case.

Thaksin, ousted from power in a bloodless coup on Sept 19, 2006, must appeal by today.

According to Kamnuan, the convicted former prime minister said he would not appeal the ruling and that he would explain his reasons to his supporters in Thailand within a few days.

However, if Thaksin changes course and decides to appeal, the legal team is ready as it has already prepared the necessary documents, Kamnuan said.

Thaksin was found guilty of violating Articles 100 and 122 of the National Counter Corruption Act. The law bars government officials, including prime ministers and their spouses, from involvement in or having interests in contracts with government agencies under their supervision. (
Source : PTI