World

Tighter security ordered in Thailand

06:10 am on 1 March 2010

The government in Thailand has tightened security after two grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank in a reaction to a court verdict against deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The blasts targeted branches of Bangkok Bank, causing damage but no casualties.

Last week Thaksin supporters protested at the bank's headquarters over its supposed links to a coup that ousted him in 2006.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has ordered extra security across the country.

The Supreme Court has ruled on Friday that Mr Thaksin's family should be stripped of more than half its fortune.

The court said about $US1.4 billion of the assets were gained illegally through a conflict of interest when Mr Thaksin was prime minister.

Funds worth $US2.3 billion were frozen after Mr Thaksin's elected government was overthrown in the coup.