Thai ruling junta issues permit for ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra to travel abroad
Military authorities in Thailand allow deposed former prime minister Yingluck permission to leave the country, citing her efforts to keep a 'low profile'
Thailand's junta has given permission to ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to leave the country for the first time since a May 22 coup.
Yingluck is expected to travel to Paris next week to attend the 65th birthday party of her elder brother, the fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Her request was approved because she has stayed out of politics since the military seized power, according to the junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
"The NCPO yesterday approved prime minister Yingluck's request to leave the country because since the coup she has never shown that she was against the NCPO's work," army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said.
"She has kept a low profile ever since."
Yingluck was removed from office in a controversial court ruling shortly before the army toppled the remnants of her elected government. She was among hundreds of people summoned and temporarily detained by the junta afterwards.
Yingluck, who was indicted for dereliction of duty a day after she was removed from office, could face criminal charges linked to a loss-making rice subsidy scheme.