Following allegations of corruption, the AEC has frozen all of Thaksin and his wife’s accounts, and more than 30 bank accounts belonging to Thaksin’s family and associates. According to the Japan Economic Newswire, the money in these accounts is suspected to be part of the 73.3 billion baht (US $2.37 billion) proceeds resulting from the sale of Shin Corporation, Thaksin’s telecommunication empire. The AEC alleges Thaksin “abused his power to benefit his family’s business” before it was sold, even though he claimed his and his wife’s shares were transferred to family members after Thaksin entered politics.

Corruption charges were filed against Thaksin on the same day that his GBP 81.6 million (US $164.45 million) bid for the beleaguered English football club Manchester City was accepted, reported the Guardian. Although Thailand’s finance minister questions where the origins of these funds, the broker of the deal claims the money is clean. The Express quoted middle-man Keith Harris from BBC Radio 5 as saying: “The money to buy Manchester City is clean. It has been legitimately and transparently transferred to the UK.”

The International Herald Tribune reports that Thaksin is refusing to return to Thailand to face the corruption charges, claiming he fears for his safety. Although police are threatening to issue an arrest warrant, Thaksin says he will not return to Thailand until after elections tentatively planned for December take place.