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Thailand Revokes Diplomatic Passport of Deposed PM; Gags Media


Thailand's foreign ministry says the government has revoked the diplomatic passports of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife.

A ministry spokesman said Wednesday the passports were revoked because of Thailand's changing security situation.

Former Thai prime ministers customarily are allowed to keep their diplomatic passports, no matter what the circumstances were when they left office. Mr. Thaksin still may have an ordinary passport.

Thailand's military coup leaders, who helped oust Mr. Thaksin from office in September, also ordered the media not to report on the movements or statements of the now-exiled leader.

The government has suggested that former members of Mr. Thaksin's government were behind a string of bombs that killed three people on New Year's Eve. Mr. Thaksin denies any involvement in the attacks.

Thai officials were increasing security Wednesday in the wake of the bombings and in preparation for the annual Children's Day celebration this coming weekend.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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