Thaksin and his wife are believed to live on a private estate in south London [AFP]

The court on Friday denied a request by Thaksin's lawyers to suspend the case against him while he is out of the country.

"The court considers that the defendants are still in the court's jurisdiction because the defendants had surrendered to authorities, and the court had granted them bail," Tonglor Chomngarm, the chief judge, said.

"The court still has jurisdiction to proceed with the case and there is no reason to dismiss the case."

The case, one of a dozen against Thaksin, accuses him of using his political influence as prime minister to help his wife buy Bangkok real estate from the central bank at a bargain price, in contravention of laws against relatives of political leaders striking such deals.

No appeal

The couple face up to 13 years in prison if convicted and because the case is before the supreme court, they would be unable to appeal.

Thaksin and Pojaman, his wife, are subject to an arrest warrant after failing to appear in court earlier this week.

Their flight into exile in London is almost certain to lead to a verdict being handed down in absentia.

Authorities have frozen 76 billion baht ($2.3bn) of Thaksin's assets pending resolution of the case.

Thailand has started the lengthy process of asking the UK to extradite Thakisn. Analysts warn the process could take years and that Thaksin might never be extradited.

The couple are now believed to live in a private estate near Weybridge, in south London.

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