The Criminal Court on Monday issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he failed to show up for a court session in a defamation lawsuit filed against him by the Army.

Thaksin's lawyer told the court that the former prime minister has been granted political asylum and is living abroad so was unable to appear in court.

The court then issued an arrest warrant and suspended the case pending Thaksin's arrest.

The Royal Thai Army filed the defamation lawsuit, saying Thaksin had damaged its reputation by giving interview on YouTube and other online media from May 19 to 22.

The court scheduled Monday's hearing for both sides to examine each other's evidence.

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