NCPO refuses Yingluck’s travel request

The National Council for Peace and Order has refused former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra permission to travel abroad, said army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr yesterday.

“The NCPO considered the matter carefully. The council wants to assist those who cooperate with it, but if an issue comes up that may affect legal proceedings of public interest, it must delay that issue and let the court decide,” he said.

Ms Yingluck is thought to have asked to travel to Hong Kong, possibly to meet her elder brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Gen Udomdej, who is also the NCPO secretary-general, said Ms Yingluck’s request to travel abroad was forwarded to NCPO chief and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for final consideration.

On Sunday, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Ms Yingluck’s travel request would take time to process because the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) was preparing to formally indict her in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office-Holders for alleged dereliction of duty in the rice-pledging scheme.

The NCPO’s decision was appropriate, considering the legal proceedings that await Ms Yingluck, Gen Udomdej said.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the NCPO consulted with the OAG before it made its decision on Ms Yingluck’s request.

The OAG was concerned her travels would affect legal proceedings, said Gen Prawit.

However, f ormer f oreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, said Ms Yingluck was entitled to travel abroad because her case has not yet been filed with the Supreme Court.

The prosecution is expected to submit the case to the court by Feb 21.

Asked about the NCPO’s plan to meet foreign military attaches based in Thailand for a briefing tomorrow, Gen Udomdej said the NCPO wants to make sure foreign governments have the “correct” understanding of its operations.

The briefing will clarify why the military recently summoned several politicians and activists for talks, said Gen Udomdej.