The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

Thailand's Supreme Court on Monday issued arrest warrants for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife after they skipped bail and fled to Britain.

Thaksin said Monday he would not return to Thailand to face graft charges but will instead remain in exile in Britain, blaming political interference in the justice system.

Thaksin, a billionaire telecoms tycoon turned politician, and his wife Pojaman both face a raft of corruption charges that were instigated by a military junta which overthrew him in September 2006.

After 18 months in self-imposed exile, Thaksin vowed to fight the charges against him in a high-profile homecoming in February, but said Monday he could not do that from within Thailand.

"My wife and I will stay in England where democracy is more important," the 59-year-old former premier said in a hand-written statement released to the media.