Thaksin's family 'not running away'
By: BangkokPost.comPublished: 9/04/2009 at 11:13 AM Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's younger sister Yaowaret Shinawatra rejected suggesions Thaksin's close family had left the country because they were concerned about possible consequences of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) mass protest.
Thaksin's family went abroad for business or holiday purposes and they would return to Thailand soon, Mrs Yaowaret said on Thursday.
They had no intention to flee the country, as the government suggested. Other members of the Shinawatra family were still in Thailand, she said.
On Tuesday night, Thaksin's ex-wife Khunying Potjaman Damapong and their daughter Paethongtan flew to Hong Kong. Another daughter Pinthongtha departed to England. Their son Panthongtae headed for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Thaksin's brother-in-law and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat also went to Dubai.
Mrs Yaowaret said it Mr Somchai could not possibly have fled the country since his wife Yaowapa Wongsawat was still in Thailand.