An arrest warrant has been issued for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who fled to Britain to escape corruption allegations.

Mr Thaksin, who owns Manchester City Football Club, said he could not expect justice from a Thai court so planned to live in England.

The Thai court which issued the warrant must now contact the Home Office to request that he be returned to Thailand.

A Home Office spokeswoman declined to say if a request had been received but added: "If they want to make a request, they have the means to do so."

Criminal solicitor Eve Giles, of Kingsley Napley said Thailand needs to provide evidence of an offence before extradition can take place.

She said legislation means the Home Office would have no choice but to pass the matter to the British courts if the correct paperwork was in place.

A judge would then issue an arrest warrant.

Alternatively, an application could be made directly to a judge at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court to issue a provisional arrest warrant.

A warrant has also been issued by the Thai Supreme Court for the arrest of Mr Thaksin's wife Pojaman who came with him to Britain.

The arrest warrants were issued after the couple failed to appear for a hearing on corruption charges.

The Supreme Court said Mr Thaksin and his wife, who face charges of making an illegal land deal while he was in office, must also forfeit bail totalling £195,000.

Mr Thaksin and his wife were allowed to travel to China from Thailand for the Olympics opening ceremony despite being involved in legal proceedings.

He issued a handwritten statement saying he was not returning there because he could not get a fair trial due to political interference in the judicial system and would instead live with his family in England where he has several homes.

Mr Thaksin said: "My wife and I have travelled to reside in England."

"If I still have luck, I would come back and die on Thai soil like every other Thai person."

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.