The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

British authorities have revoked the visas of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, an airline official told AFP Saturday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the British embassy had informed all airlines in an email on Friday not to allow the couple to board flights to Britain. "The British embassy sent an email message to all airlinest It's general practice for all airlines, so no airline can take them on board to England from any port," he said. Embassy officials refused to confirm or deny the report, but in the email seen by AFP, Bangkok-based immigration liaison manager Andy Gray, from the UK Border Agency wrote:

"The United Kingdom Border Agency has revoked the UK visas held by the following Thai nationals: Thaksin Shinawatrat Potjaman Shinawatra," listing the pair's passport numbers.