Thailand allows Mr. Thaksin to go to Brunei

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be in Brunei to attend ASEAN meetings from February 18-19.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

The Bangkok Post reported on February 15 that the Thai Criminal Court approved former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's request to attend meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from February 18-19, the second time he was allowed to go abroad after paying 5 million baht (3.76 billion VND) as security.

Mr Thaksin will visit Brunei next week as an adviser to the ASEAN chairmanship. Malaysia is the rotating chair of ASEAN this year and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has previously appointed Mr Thaksin as his informal adviser on ASEAN affairs.

Mr Thaksin is banned from leaving the country without permission under the terms of his bail while he awaits trial on charges of insulting the monarchy and charges related to an interview he gave in South Korea in 2015. Witness testimony in the case is expected in July.

It is understood the court approved the meeting after Mr Anwar sent an invitation through the Thai Foreign Ministry for Mr Thaksin to attend, similar to the previous time.

The court had previously allowed Mr Thaksin to travel to Malaysia on February 2-3 for consultations with Mr Anwar, with a 5 million baht bail to ensure his return.

Thaksin filed his latest request on February 13 and the court held a hearing the following day. Thaksin and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa were summoned to the court. The judges approved the request and ordered Thaksin to appear in court within three days of his return to Thailand.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thai-lan-cho-phep-ong-thaksin-den-brunei-185250215202356056.htm