Prime Minister: Thailand wants Thaksin

BANGKOK, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Thailand plans to seek former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's extradition from Hong Kong, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday.

Thaksin is expected to give a speech Monday to the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong, the Thai News Agency reported.

"We will see if we know exactly where his whereabouts are, and with the country agreeing to the extradition process, we will push ahead," Abhisit said. "It's important for Thais to be under the same law."

Thaksin was out of the country in 2006 when he was replaced by a military junta. He was convicted last year in absentia of corruption in a case he says was political.

Abhisit said the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, a special administrative area in China, will be monitoring Thaksin's speech.