BANGKOK: Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday challenged a move to seize 76 billion baht ($2.2 billion) of his family's assets, which the government claims were gained through abuse of power.

The former telecoms tycoon, whose assets have been frozen since he was ousted as premier in a 2006 military coup, says the government's case is politically motivated and groundless.

"The junta launched many corruption charges against me to justify their actions," Thaksin said in a hand-written statement submitted to the Supreme Court, which opened the case yesterday.