Yingluck is in Dubai, PM says

August 1 photo by Patipat Janthong

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is currently in the United Arab Emirates.

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PM Prayut says fugitive Yingluck is in Dubai

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is currently in the United Arab Emirates.

"I have learned unofficially from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that she is in Dubai," Gen Prayut told reporters, adding that the ministry has been tracking Yingluck's whereabouts.

"The police will now have to proceed and coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and Interpol," he added.

Yingluck failed to appear for the Court's ruling on Aug 25th, and is believed to have fled the country. Gen Prayut said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taking steps to have her passport revoked.

He said he had no emotional reaction to the news that the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions had sentenced Yingluck to five years in jail for failing to stop falsified and corruption-plagued government-to-government sales of rice from her rice-pledging scheme.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon also said that Yingluck is in Dubai, a country with which Thailand has no extradition agreement.

He added that authorities in Dubai had informed the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry that they had asked Yingluck not to engage in any political activities while in the country.