[JURIST] Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [JURIST news archive] is prepared to return to Thailand to answer to possible corruption charges, Thaksin's lawyer said Monday, though Thailand has struggled to find evidence [JURIST report] of Thaksin's alleged corruption following September's bloodless military coup [JURIST report]. Coup leaders have maintained that Thaksin was overthrown in part due to his involvement in corrupt dealings while in power. Thaksin said he will not contemplate a return until Thailand revokes martial law, which was imposed during the coup and has been condemned by human rights groups and the US government [JURIST reports]. The Thai government has said martial law will remain until Thaksin supporters quell their protests [JURIST report].

Interim Thai Prime Minister Chulanont Surayud [official website; BBC profile] announced last week that the government also intends to investigate human rights violations that allegedly occurred during Thaksin's term in power. AFP has more.