NCPO keeps Thaksin, Yingluck’s movements under watch

The government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have been keeping a close watch on former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra even though their close associates insist  that their movements have no political agenda.

The two former prime ministers, who are on a run overseas to avoid legal actions, have been getting continuous media attention in Thailand over the past few weeks. Their pictures taken during trips to various countries posted in the social media including Instagram, have kept the two alive in the Thai political circle.

A source close to Ms Yingluck tried to explain that the two have no political agenda, adding that they are just trying to keep their family and close associates in contact through social media.

The source revealed that on June 21, Thaksin and Ms Yingluck, who will be either in England or in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, will send an important message to the Thai people via the social media to mark a special occasion.

Maj Gen Piyapong Klinpan, an NCPO spokesman, said that in following up the activities of the two fugitive former prime ministers as well as some academics and former Pheu Thai MPs who have escaped legal action to stay in other countries the government and the NCPO are only performing their duty. He denied this is part of an attempt to gauge the political situation.

Thaksin has been in self-exile for the past 10 years after being toppled in a military coup and later convicted for corruption in connection with the Ratchadapisek land procurement case. Ms Yingluck fled the country ten months ago before the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced her to a jail term for negligence, allowing corruption in the implementation of her government’s rice-pledging scheme.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is scheduled to visit Britain and France between June 20-25, has brushed aside suggestion that he might seek the extradition of Ms Yingluck, who is reported to have been granted a British visa when he is in London.