Thai govt to reveal Yingluck's whereabouts after court verdict

The Thai government is to reveal on Wednesday the whereabouts of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who 'disappeared' a month ago without turning up in court.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government spokesman would make the announcement on Yingluck's current location after the Supreme Court judgement in her case.

"I (the government) will tell after Sept 27 (court verdict) where she is. Please be patient," he told the media after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting at Government House here Tuesday.

Prayut said the government must wait for the court verdict before taking any measures related to Yingluck, who became the country's first woman prime minister in 2011 and was ousted in May 2014.

He said any measures taken by the government would be in accordance with the rule of law.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will deliver its verdict on Wednesday in the case involving Yingluck's involvement in the controversial rice-pledging scheme. She faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.

The court was forced to postpone delivery of its judgment last month after Yingluck failed to appear in court, sparking speculation that she had fled the country to escape the court action.

Since her absence in court last month, Yingluck, who is the younger sister of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has neither been seen in public nor has she issued any statement.

The media speculated that she sneaked out of Thailand via the Cambodian border two days before the court appointment, taking a flight to Singapore and then Dubai to be with her older brother who has a house in the Middle Eastern city.

With Yingluck's presence in court on Wednesday highly unlikely, the court is expected to deliver its verdict in absentia against her.

Prayut also dismissed media assertions that some country had given information on Yingluck's whereabouts.

"Who would inform you (the Thai government). I have my detectives," he said, adding that the former prime minister had no reason to apply for asylum as legal proceedings against her were ongoing.

On the preparations for Wednesday's court verdict, Prayut said the security forces were making the usual preparations. -- Bernama