The order yesterday came two days after the Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife Pojaman for failing to obey a summons to appear before judges to hear corruption charges.

Thaksin, who has settled in Britain and taken over Premiership football club Manchester City since being toppled in a coup last year, is accused, along with his wife, of snapping up prime Bangkok real estate at bargain prices.

'The names of Thaksin and his wife are now on the Thai immigration blacklist because they are suspects in a criminal case,' acting national police chief Sereepisut Taemeeyaves said after a meeting with prosecutors.

Thaksin and Pojaman are each charged with two violations of anti-corruption laws and each could be jailed for up to 13 years and face a fine of up to 200,000 baht (S$9,700) if convicted.

Thaksin is accused of illegally influencing a deal in 2003 to allow Pojaman to buy prime Bangkok real estate from a government agency for 772 million baht, about one-third its estimated value.

The Supreme Court has given Thaksin and Pojaman until Sept 25 to surrender to police. If they fail to appear, prosecutors could file an extradition request with Britain.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE