Bangkok, September 25:

Thailand’s Supreme Court said today it would postpone corruption hearings against ousted prime

minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of his prolonged absence from the kingdom.

Thaksin and his wife Pojaman, who have been living in London since a coup overthrew Thaksin’s government last year, face charges of corruption and conflict of interest over a controversial real estate deal. The Supreme Court issued arrest warrants against the former first couple in August, but they have refused to return to Thailand, with Thaksin repeatedly saying that he would come back only when democracy was restored.

“The court cannot proceed (with the) hearings as the two suspects cannot come under court authorities,” said Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges hearing the graft case. The court did not set a new date for hearings.

Thaksin and Pojaman’s lawyer Pichit Chenban thanked the top court for the move and said he was “glad” about the decision.