THAKSIN MEETING IN UK DENIED

>> Rumours of Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon holding a secret meeting with exiled political leader Thaksin Shinawatra on his visit to the United Kingdom last week are false, said defence spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich.

The spokesman urged people to stop “fantasising” about any such event as Gen Prawit never had any intention to have such a meeting.

“Being in England at the same time doesn’t mean the two saw each other,” said Maj Gen Koncheep. “There is absolutely no reason for them to meet.”

He further denied rumours that the defence minister’s UK visit involved the striking of a political deal with Thaksin, including the negotiation of asylum seeker status for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Ms Yingluck is speculated to have fled Thailand after failing to show up to the Supreme Court session to hear the ruling on her malfeasance trial on Aug 25. She has not been heard from since.

The court has deferred the ruling session to Sept 27.

Thaksin was reported to be in Britain last week too.

Mr Kongcheep said Gen Prawit’s UK visit had a tight itinerary, involving meeting his British counterpart and Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field.

“The itinerary was so packed that it left no room for an unscheduled visit,” said Maj Gen Kongcheep.

He also visited the Thai embassy in London.

Gen Prawit left Thailand for the UK on Aug 11 and returned on Aug 15.

Pinthongta Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, reportedly uploaded a photo of her and Thaksin in London last week on her Instagram.

Defence permanent secretary Chaichan Changmongkol also flew to the UK on Aug 12 to join Gen Prawit. He previously said the goal of the visit was to secure bilateral military cooperation.

Gen Prawit also held talks with his British counterpart about a joint military exercise, codenamed “Panther Gold 2017”. The drill will be conducted for the first time by the Thai and British armies at Infantry Division 9 in Kanchanaburi.