Thai supreme court opens Thaksin graft trial

Bangkok: A corruption trial against Thailand's former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, begins hearing evidence in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Thaksin is accused of using his political influence to help his wife Pojaman buy a plot of prime Bangkok real estate from the central bank at a bargain price.

They each face up to 13 years in prison if convicted. Because the case is before the Supreme Court, they would have no avenue of appeal.

The military accused Thaksin of widespread corruption when royalist generals toppled his government in September 2006. Despite more than a year of military rule, this is the first case against him to reach trial.