The Supreme Court has refused another request by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to visit China and England, officials said on Thursday

It was the first time the Court had turned down what seemed to have become a routine request by Mr Thaksin, now an accused felon in a number of cases coming to court.

"He has requested to go abroad, but because it coincides with the appearance of witnesses and examination of evidence, the court regards the reasons given for the trips as unjustified," court official Rakkiat Wattanapong was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.

The former prime minister faces an upcoming trial over his wife's purchase of 33 rai of land in the Ratchadapisek area in Bangkok from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) under the Bank of Thailand.

In that case, he is accused of abusing his position as prime minister by helping Khunying Potjaman get a heavy discount for the land purchase.

He faces charges in three other cases of alleged corruption or malfeasance which the court is considering whether to grant full trial.

The ex-premier asked the court for permission to travel to China and England last week.

But court officials revealed today that the request to leave Thailand on June 27 was turned down.

Judges said the court is currently working on the land case during this period and would like to question more witnesses and look into more evidence.

Thus he was not allowed to travel during this time.