'Takki Shinegra' is Thaksin Shinawatra: Top Thai government official

BANGKOK, Nov 26 (TNA) - Thailand's foreign ministry on Thursday stood firm that convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is using the name "Takki Shinegra" in his foreign passports despite the former premier's denial.

Panit Wikitset, Thailand’s deputy foreign minister, reaffirmed that the ministry has received a report from an authoritative source confirming that Mr Thaksin has changed his name to "Takki Shinegra" and new passport numbers issued by Nigaragua and Montenegro even though Mr Thaksin denied that in his Twitter message.

Mr Panit declined to disclose his 'authoritative source' but said he was confident about the information regarding the ex-premier's new name.

"Mr Thaksin has been using his new passports issued by those countries with the changed name since his Thai passport was cancelled while travelling to (other) countries,” he said. "Once the Thai government sought cooperation from those countries to locate Mr Thaksin's location, the answers received were that there was no "Thaksin Shinawatra" on the immigration list.

The senior Thai government official explained that the Mr Thaksin's new passport name was his attempt to evade the arrest of Interpol under normal immigration procedure.

"The final decision rests with the attorney-general whether the new passport name of Mr Thaksin will be put in the yet-to-be issued arrest warrant," Mr Panit said. "The ministry is duty-bound to apply diplomatic channels to single out the former premier's status as a fugitive."

Mr Thaksin was sentenced to two-year jail term by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for abusing power while he was prime minister to help his wife purchase land in the capital at a deflated rate.

The former tycoon-turned-politician jumped bail and is living in self-exile aboard. (TNA)