2ND Deposed Thai leader arrives in Britain

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Wednesday September 20, 2006

London- Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Britain Wednesday where he hoped to be united with members of his family. Thaksin arrived on board a Thai Airlines plane from New York, where had attended the United Nations General Assembly, but cancelled a speech there following the military coup in Bangkok.

The British Foreign Office said earlier that Thaksin was coming to Britain as a "private citizen." He had not asked to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair or any other ministers.

Reports said that one of Thaksin's daughters is a student in London. Media reports in Thailand said that family and close friends of Thaksin Shinawatra had fled the country.

Thaksin's wife Pojaman, who manages his fortune, flew to Singapore Monday night, while Sudarat Keyuraphan, one of Thaksin's closest allies, has flown to Paris, said The Nation newspaper.

Meanwhile, the British government Wednesday warned UK nationals in Thailand to exercise caution following the coup, and to avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

Around 20,000 British expatriates live in Thailand and about 750,000 tourists from Britain visit the country each year. There are thought to be about 2,000 British tourists in Thailand.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur