Thaksin returns to Britain for soccer

BANGKOK, March 13 (UPI) -- Deposed former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra may have given up politics but not soccer even if that requires him to leave his native Thailand for a time.

Thaksin, who faces trial on corruption charges in Thailand, received leave from the Thai Supreme Court to return to Britain so the wealthy tycoon can watch his Manchester City team in the final weeks of Britain's Premier Soccer League, The Times of London reports.

Thaksin, who came back to Thailand last month after a pro-Thaksin political party was allowed to form a new government, has pleaded innocent to the charges brought by the military government that deposed him 17 months ago. Since his return, Thaksin has said he will not get involved in politics.

On going to Britain for about a month, where he originally went on exile after the military coup, Thaksin was quoted as saying his team had lost games while he was away and "so I have to go back and tighten the bolt."

After Thaksin's return, the high court will try him on the charges, the report said. However, it said, allowing him to go to Britain may be a sign the corruption charges, which Thaksin's wife also faces, could be dropped.