Thai PM flees country

The ousted Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has failed to appear before a Bangkok court on corruption charges, amid rumours he has fled to the UK.



Thai media quoted several sources saying that Mr. Thaksin and his family were already in London and would issue a statement later.



He was due back in the Thai capital yesterday, after a court allowed him to attend the Olympic Games opening.



Mr. Thaksin is on bail, facing a string of trials at Thailand\'s Supreme Court.



Mr. Thaksin\'s wife, Pojaman, is also on bail pending an appeal after she was sentenced last month to three years in jail for tax fraud.