Thaksin expected in court

Supawadee Susanpoolthong

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is likely to give the closing statement himself when the Constitutional Court concludes its hearing of the hidden assets case against him on Monday, a Thai Rak Thai source said yesterday.

Mr Thaksin was waiting to see if the statement could be delivered in the morning, as he was scheduled to go to Cambodia that day.

He earlier gave his official trip to Phnom Penh as a reason for not appearing in person.

He said the visit had been arranged ahead of time and changing it would be difficult.

But opinion polls indicated the public wanted Mr Thaksin to make closing arguments himself. Mr Thaksin and most of his witnesses earlier chose not to appear before the court, submitting affidavits instead.

Mr Thaksin said he would make his decision known today.

Vichai Thongtaeng, his lawyer, said the defence had until Friday to decide.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said the Thai delegation could delay its departure until Mr Thaksin had finished, but the visit would not be postponed.

In Khon Kaen, a religious ceremony is planned to boost Mr Thaksin's morale when he returns from a brief visit to Laos tomorrow. Hundreds of monks are expected to take part.