Deputy PM Suthep: Cambodian PM denies Thaksin holds Cambodian passport

BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has affirmed that Thailand’s ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not hold Cambodian passport, according to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

The deputy prime minister’s remark came after Puea Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung said Thaksin carried about six passports issued by foreign countries.

Mr. Chalerm said he had recently visited Mr. Thaksin in Dubai, but discussed only personal well-being, and business affairs, but did not discuss politics.

Ousted in a September 2006 coup d’etat, Mr. Thaksin, now living in self-imposed exile overseas, is believed to be in the UAE in recent weeks.

He was sentenced in absentia to two years imprisonment by a Thai court after he was found to have abused his power while prime minister by helping his then wife buy land in Bangkok’s prime business area at a discounted price.

The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry had revoked both his diplomatic and ordinary passports in an attempt to capture him. (TNA)