Thailand’s Supreme Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for abusing power when he was in office. Thaksin was removed from power by a military coup in 2006 and has been living abroad since 2008. The court said Thaksin is the first of 27 defendants charged with illegal loans at state bank Krung Thai and his trial will be postponed until he returns. The charge of power abuse carries a maximum 10-year jail term and prosecutors are requesting 304 million USD in compensation.

Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (Photo: Internet)

The Supreme Court has issued 6 arrest warrants for Thaksin since 2008, accusing him of power abuse for illegal land purchase and 4 other corruption charges. The government has considered amnesty as part of reconciliation efforts following a bloody protest movement in 2010. But the opposition is demanding the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thaksin’s younger sister, bring him home.