Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Wednesday former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be at a disadvantage by not appointing a lawyer to represent him in court.
He was commenting on reports the former premier was not represented by a lawyer when the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions resumed a trial against him for alleged manipulation of telecom concession fees 15 years ago on Tuesday.
Thaksin, 69, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a 2008 prison sentence for abuse of power related to the Ratchadaphisek land deal, did not show up and did not send a lawyer to the court although a summons was earlier attached to his registered residence in the Charan Sanitwong area.
The court considered his no-show as him denying the charges.
Mr Wissanu said Thaksin would be at a disadvantage because an inquisitorial system is used in the trial. Under this system, the court is empowered to ascertain facts and evidence on its own.
He said appointing a lawyer to fight the charges was the best course of action for the former prime minister.
"The court may cross-examine witnesses but it's not as good as a defence lawyer. Appointing a lawyer to fight the charges is the best approach. At least the lawyer can observe the trial if he doesn't have questions," he said.
The case against Thaksin was revived under a new law on criminal procedures for political office-holders that took effect on Sept 29 last year. This allows for the trials of fugitive politicians to be held in absentia.
Thaksin was put on trial on July 11, 2008 for conflict of interest for allegedly changing regulations on telecom concession fees in favour of companies he owned, causing a loss to the state valued at 68 billion baht.
According to the indictment given to the court by prosecutors, Thaksin as the prime minister from Feb 9, 2001 to Sept 19, 2006 ordered the conversion of concession fees paid by businesses under his Shin Corp into excise tax. The companies were Advanced Info Service and Digital Phone.
Following the no-show, the court also issued a fresh arrest warrant for Thaksin. The court set July 10 for an examination of evidence and witness lists.
Meanwhile, Weerapat Srichaiya, a lawyer for Thaksin's asset seizure trial, said the former prime minister disagreed with legal amendments allowing the trial to be held in absentia.
Citing information from Thaksin's close aides, the lawyer said Thaksin, who has a degree in criminal justice, feels such amendments are against international standard practices.
Mr Weerapat said the conversion of concession fees into excise tax did not cause any financial damage to the state and the companies did not gain any benefits from it.