Thailand's top court Friday stripped Thaksin Shinawatra of more than half his 2.3-billion-dollar fortune after ruling that the fugitive former premier had abused his power for personal gain.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is shown on a large screen during a teleconference to his supporters at one of their headquarters in Bangkok February 26, 2010. A Thai court on Friday seized $1.4 billion worth of assets belonging to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family, about $900 million less than the maximum in a decision that could appease some anti-government forces. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra cry as they wait for news at one of their headquarters in Bangkok February 26, 2010. A Thai court on Friday seized $1.4 billion worth of assets belonging to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family, about $900 million less than the maximum in a decision that could appease some anti-government forces. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra burn an effigy of a court building and toy rifles during a protest against the supreme court's verdict on Thaksin's asset at the royal ground Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in Bangkok. Thailand's Supreme Court ruled Friday that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra unlawfully concealed his assets while in office and abused his power for personal gain, as it prepared to issue a decision on whether his $2.29 billion fortune should be seized. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

A supporter of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is seen as other supporters burn what they say is the spirit house representing the Supreme Court near its main building in Bangkok late February 26, 2010. A Thai court on Friday seized $1.4 billion worth of assets belonging to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family, about $900 million less than the maximum in a decision that could appease some anti-government forces. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cheer with their clapping tools as an effigy of a court building and fake rifles are set on fire during a protest against the supreme court's verdict on Thaksin's asset at the royal ground Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in Bangkok. Thailand's Supreme Court ruled Friday that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra unlawfully concealed his assets while in office and abused his power for personal gain, as it prepared to issue a decision on whether his $2.29 billion fortune should be seized. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cry at Pheu Thai Party office in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. Thailand's highest court has ruled that Thaksin concealed his assets while in office and abused his power for personal gain, and ordered the seizure of 46 billion baht (US$1.4 billion) of his US$2.29 billion in frozen assets. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans at Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. Thailand's highest court has ruled that Thaksin concealed his assets while in office and abused his power for personal gain, and ordered the seizure of 46 billion baht (US$1.4 billion) of his US$2.29 billion in frozen assets. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra react as he addresses them via video link at the park near the Supreme Court in Bangkok late February 26, 2010. A Thai court on Friday seized $1.4 billion worth of assets belonging to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family, about $900 million less than the maximum in a decision that could appease some anti-government forces. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Buddhist monks join a protest against the supreme court's verdict on Thaksin's assets at the royal ground Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, in Bangkok. Thailand's Supreme Court ruled Friday that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra unlawfully concealed his assets while in office and abused his power for personal gain, as it prepared to issue a decision on whether his $2.29 billion fortune should be seized. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra react during the announcement by the Supreme Court of the verdict on the fortune of Thaksin at the opposition Puea Thai party headquarters in Bangkok. Thailand's top court Friday stripped Thaksin of more than half his 2.3-billion-dollar fortune after ruling that the fugitive former premier had abused his power for personal gain. (AFP/Christophe Archambault)

As Thailand's top court rules on the fate of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra 2.3-billion-dollar fortune, an analyst explains why Thaksin remains a popular figure. Duration:01: 02(AFPTV)