Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s ousted former prime minister, has jumped bail and fled into exile in Britain rather than face trial at home on corruption charges. His decision probably marks the end of the billionaire businessman’s dominant influence over Thai political life.

The Supreme Court issued warrants on Monday for the arrest of Mr Thaksin and his wife Pojamarn after they failed to appear in court for proceedings in one of a number of corruption and abuse of power cases against them for alleged wrongdoing during Mr Thaksin’s nearly six-year tenure as premier.