Thailand

UK revokes Thaksin’s visa

Article published on the 2008-11-08 Latest update 2008-11-11 11:25 TU

Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman, 31 July 2008.
(Photo : Reuters)

The British government has revoked former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s visa, and that of his wife, and will not allow him to return to the UK, where he has been living since he was deposed in a military coup in 2006.

The British embassy in Bangkok sent a message to airlines telling them not to allow the couple to board flights to Britain. Thaksin is thought to be travelling in East Asia after a telephone address he made to a stadium filled with supporters in Bangkok last week.

Thaksin was convicted by a Thai court in August of corruption charges, but refused to return home to serve the sentence, seeking refuge in the UK.

Thaksin is a multi-billionaire who owns many properties in Britain and even owned the Manchester City football club, before selling it in August.