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Persons
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2007-02-11 00:03:03-05
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Thailand's Thaksin jets into Australia
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Bangkok Feb. 11: Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has flown into Australia on a private visit. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deposed Thai leader was in Australia but said it had no knowledge of his schedule. Thaksin's private jet flew into Melbourne Thursday night. He was deposed in a military coup in September while he was on a visit to the United States and has yet to return to Thailand, where the current government accuses him of corruption and he could face investigation and arrest. Since being deposed, the billionaire media tycoon has spent time in Europe and Asia. Thailand's military government has revoked Thaksin's diplomatic passport. It accused him of making trips in the region that were politically motivated. His Bangkok-based lawyer says Mr Thaksin will play golf and have a holiday over the next 10 days. But the military junta in Thailand has been concerned about Mr Thaksin's regional visits, particularly after he met a senior member of the Singapore Government last month. The meeting has prompted a diplomatic spat between Thailand and Singapore. Thaksin's lawyer says the former prime minister has no plans to meet any government officials or ministers while in Australia.
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