Thai court votes to put Thaksin on trial

From CNN Bangkok Bureau Chief John Raedler

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thailand's Constitution Court has agreed to try an indicted political leader who appears set to become the country's next prime minister.

Fourteen judges of the Constitution Court unanimously agreed on Thursday to the trial of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose political party, Thai Rak Thai, appears to have won Thailand's general election earlier this month.

Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission indicted Thaksin in December on charges that he deliberately concealed part of his massive wealth when he was in government in 1997.

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Thaksin, who made a fortune in telecommunications, denies any wrongdoing and says his failure to disclose all his assets was an oversight.

The president of the Constitution Court, Prasert Nasakul, said Thursday it had not yet been decided when the trial will start. But legal analysts expect it to begin after Thaksin is installed as prime minister.

If the court upholds the indictment, Thaksin could be disqualified from holding political office for five years.

Judge Prasert would not predict how long the trial will take.

The full, official results of Thailand's January 6 general election are not expected until early next month.

The Election Commission is investigating alleged voting irregularities in scores of constituencies and re-votes are anticipated in some of them.

But political analysts still expect Thaksin and his party to lead a coalition government with a sizeable majority.

Thaksin has said he anticipates being installed as prime minister in early March.

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December 27, 2000

Thai Rak Thai party
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
Bangkok Post

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