A Thai court on Friday seized US$1.4 billion worth of assets belonging to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family, about US$900 million less than the maximum in a decision that could appease some anti-government forces.

Thailand's Supreme Court ruled that the self-exiled Thaksin had concealed his shareholdings in his family telecommunications conglomerate, Shin Corp, while in office from 2001-2006 and some of his government's policies had favoured the business.

It was unclear if the US$900 million not confiscated would be

returned to the twice-elected Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006

coup and later convicted of graft in absentia.

Thaksin was found guilty of having abused his power to benefit his business in all five major cases against him.

The court earlier said the twice-elected Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, had concealed shares in his family's telecommunications conglomerate, Shin Corp, while in office and geared several government telecom policies to favour the company.

The verdict took the judges almost eight hours to deliver.

- Reuters