Warrant issued for Thaksin's arrest

The Thai authorities are losing patience with Former president Thaksin - and the issue is now threatening UK - Thai relations.

A Thai Court on Monday issued a warrant for the arrest of Thaksin and his wife who are now living in London, although the status of their residence in the UK is unclear.

The UK, under the current Labour government, has a history of harbouring the rich who have run away from their countries and refusing to cooperate with the country that wants them back. Of particular note are a number of Russians which Russia wants to bring to trial.

With the issue of the Warrant, Thaksin becomes a fugitive. Thailand has not yet sought his extradition from the UK nor has it asked for Interpol's help to arrest him. But Thailand has frozen Thaksin's assets starting first with those it could identify, and later with a broader injunction.

It is not at all clear what assets Thaksin is living off but it is only a matter of time before Thailand invites the UK to make certain that UK banks are not facilitating the breaking of the sanctions. And also invites the UK to suggest to its banks that there is ample evidence of suspicious conduct for banks to be making reports under the UK's Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which may result in Thaksin being denied access to any funds held in or obtained via UK financial institutions.

Given the fuss over Nigeria's Abacha who stashed huge amounts of wealth in UK banks and spent a lot of time in London, it is surprising that London has become the refuge of choice for wealthy foreign fugitives - and it demonstrates that, perhaps, some of the reports of London being a ready venue for money laundering may not be wide of the mark.