Thaksin to return in May to fight graft charges

Ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand in May to defend himself against corruption charges, his wife said Wednesday as she pleaded not guilty in a graft case.

Pojaman Shinawatra did not speak during the 15-minute hearing at the Supreme Court, and smiled at reporters as she left the building.

But she pleaded not guilty in a written filing, which was read out by the judges in court. Her statement said Thaksin, who has also been charged over the same controversial land deal, would return in May to defend himself.

Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile in Britain since the military toppled his government in September 2006.

But his allies in the People Power Party (PPP) staged a comeback last month at the ballot box, winning the first elections since the bloodless coup.

The PPP has formed a six-party coalition that controls two thirds of the seats in parliament, and party leader Samak Sundaravej is expected to be nominated as prime minister on Friday.

Their victory has opened the door for Thaksin to return to Thailand.

Bangkok, Wednesday, AFP