Thai ex-premier Thaksin, wife in England

BANGKOK, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, who was convicted of tax evasion last month, have fled to England, Thai court officials said.

Thailand's Supreme Court issued arrest warrants Monday for the two after they failed to appear in court in a corruption case, CNN reported.

The report quoted court officials that the couple had fled to Britain.

The Bangkok Post, quoting the couple's close associates, reported Thaksin planned to hold a news conference in London to explain why he would not return to Bangkok to fight the court cases against him.

The newspaper said speculation about their return to political exile began after they failed to arrive in Bangkok last night on a flight from Beijing, where they had gone to attend the Summer Olympics opening.

The court may try the two in absentia.

CNN reported Thaksin, and his wife, Pojaman, were to testify about alleged unlawful purchase of real estate, one of several cases against the couple.

Thaksin, a billionaire, was ousted as prime minister in 2006 in a bloodless military coup. He has denied all the charges against his family.

Last month, Pojaman, along with her step-brother and a former secretary, were convicted on tax evasion and sentenced to three years in prison. She had been out on bail.