>> Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has joined her brother Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai, a source in the Pheu Thai Party said yesterday.
Following her no-show at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Friday, Ms Yingluck is presumed to have fled the country.
She must have sneaked out between late on Wednesday and Thursday because on Wednesday afternoon she was having meals with her close aides, said the source.
Also on Wednesday, pictures and video clips of Ms Yingluck making merit at both Wat Rakhang Khositaram in Bangkok Noi district and at her home were uploaded on her Facebook page. She was still using social media to issue messages as of Thursday.
It is believed the ex-premier received a "go" signal from those in power, according to the source. Ms Yingluck's activities were monitored by security authorities and it was almost impossible for her to give them the slip.
Ms Yingluck is believed to have used a foreign passport during her escape.
It is unknown if she will seek political refugee status, said the source.
"She is likely to keep a low profile for a while. She needs time to do the paperwork and arrange her stay in the foreign country," he said.
The source said her son, Supasek Amornchat or Nong Pipe, has not travelled with her.
A source close to Ms Yingluck said she is likely to stay in England, where her brother has a home and spends a lot of time.
According to the source, her abrupt departure saddened her because she had to leave her only son behind. Ms Yingluck has reportedly told her close aide to not abandon him.
However, it is widely speculated that her son will soon join her abroad, possibly in England.
Ms Yingluck was allowed by the National Council for Peace and Order to travel abroad in July 2014, which triggered speculation she would go into exile.
Following Ms Yingluck's no-show at the Supreme Court on Friday, rumours spread that Ms Yingluck had escaped to Cambodia, where she was assisted by people of influence en route to the Middle East.
Ms Yingluck reportedly took a private jet to an airport in Trat, where she crossed the Thai land border to Koh Kong province accompanied by her associate.
