High Court lays down extradition rule in Thai case

The solicitor who acted for Pin Chakkaphak - the Thai financier accused of causing the economic crash in the Tiger economies - said that blocking his client's deportation has set a new extradition precedent.As president of investment company Fin One, Mr Chakkaphak was Thailand's 'takeover king' until his company bombed in 1997.

State attempts to assist saw a melt-down of the Baht, and Mr Chakkaphak accused of theft.A district judge's decision to send Mr Chakkaphak home was recently overturned in the High Court.Lee Goldsmith of London-based Goldsmiths said the case set a precedent because Mr Justice Harrison considered whether the evidence of dishonesty would be viable in the Thai case, which is usually left to the jury in the country of extradition.'Usually prosecutors only need to show that goods have gone - without showing dishonest intent - to obtain an extradition for theft.

This is a welcome development,' he said.Jeremy Fleming