Вильгельм Телль
By Nattaya Chetchotiros and King-oua Laohong
Pongthep Thepkanchana, the personal spokesman for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on Saturday confirmed that Thaksin had divorced his wife Khunying Potjaman in Hong Kong.
Mr Pongthep said he had verified the report with reliable sources, who said Thaksin and his wife had signed the divorce papers.
"I didn't ask him [Thaksin] directly as it is a personal matter. But I asked [about the divorce] from a credible source who confirmed the divorce had happened.
"I didn't ask about the reasons behind the divorce, though," he said.
He said the end of their 32-year marriage would have no impact on the cases against them and it would not change their status in the lawsuits they were facing. Their assets would be shared based on their agreements, he added.
The divorce, which was finalised on Friday at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, came less than a month after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for conflict of interest in the Ratchadaphisek land case. His wife was acquitted.
A source close to Thaksin said the divorce would help his wife's attempts to fight the tax evasion case, in which she was sentenced to three years in jail by the Criminal Court.
The end of their marriage would hamper her travel plans and her ability to sign legal documents.
Their children, who have returned to Thailand from London, have not shown any signs of sadness since their parents divorced. The divorce has been labelled technical and politically motivated.
Former spokesman for the dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) Sak Korsaengruang said the divorce would be good for her.
"The divorce helps boost the image of Khunying Potjaman. She repeatedly said she didn't want her husband to get involved in politics.
"If she returns to fight the legal case, the political pressure which she earlier faced might be reduced," said the former ASC spokesman.
The divorce would have no impact on the corruption cases involving Thaksin and a civil lawsuit seeking the confiscation of 76 billion baht of their assets.
The case, which is pending in the Civil Court, is to claim their assets, most of which were frozen following the 2006 coup amid allegations the assets were illegally acquired while Thaksin was in office.
Senate Speaker Prasopsook Boondej, a civil law expert, said the couple's divorce would not affect the outcome of continuing investigations.
He refused to comment when asked whether the divorce was politically motivated.
