Thai Prime Minister orders hunt for Yingluck and repatriation

Deputy national police chief Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul said yesterday the directive was issued by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the royal police force.

Police are hoping they can successfully bring Ms Yingluck back to the country and prosecute her. "The police are doing their best,"Nationquoted Mr. Srivarasaid. Thailandhas asked Interpol to update information on Ms. Yingluck's whereabouts before the new year but is still waiting for a response.

Police also confirmed the authenticity of a photograph of Ms Yingluck with a Thai tourist in London that emerged this week, but were unsure whether it was taken recently.

She was reportedly seen outside a London shopping mall during the New Year holidays and did not appear to be trying to hide herself or be accompanied by bodyguards, according to the Nation. A source said many Thai tourists in London often ask to take photos with Yingluck if they see her. They also ask about her current life and express concern for her.

Another photo, which appears to show a woman resembling Ms Yingluck and a teenager resembling her 15-year-old son in London, was posted on the Facebook account secret100million last week and the account holder said someone had sent it to them.

Ms. Yingluck fled last August.just before the Supreme Court sentenced her to five years in prison for negligence in managing a rice subsidy program for farmers, causing losses to the state budget.Some speculation has suggested she is in Dubai, where her brother Thaksin Shinawatra has a home, or London, where she is believed to be seeking political asylum. Yingluck's four passports have been invalidated.