Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's ousted prime minister, is seeking political asylum in the UK, a move that could trigger diplomatic tensions as protests mount in Bangkok for his extradition.

On Tuesday about 10,000 people marched to the British embassy in the Thai capital to press for the return of Mr Thaksin to face fraud charges. Last week a Thai judge issued arrest warrants for Mr Thaksin and his wife after they failed to appear in court and instead flew to the UK after attending the Beijing Olympic Games.