A well-known anti-corruption activist has called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to probe a Deputy Prime Minister and the national police chief over the flight of fugitive former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

On 28 August 2017, Srisuwan Janya, Secretary-General of a political group called the Association to Protect the Thai Constitution (APTC), submitted a petition to the NACC asking for an investigation into Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, and Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and accusing the two of malfeasance over lax security measures that enabled Yingluck’s escape.

“It was previously generally known that Yingluck’s movements were always monitored by all branches of the security forces, soldiers and police and all her activities shadowed.  But when it came to the time she had to travel to hear the verdict, no one in the security forces, police and soldiers knew that she had fled Thailand or when,” said Srisuwan.

On the same day, the junta denied speculation on social media that the regime itself let the former PM escape ahead of her judgment day on the rice-pledging scheme to avoid making her a political martyr.

"That was simply a personal opinion of those attempting to connect this with that, which should never happen as such speculation deals with accusations against a third party. It is not based on any proof,” the Bangkok Post quoted Col Winthai Suvari, National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesperson as saying.  

According to Khaosod News, sources from the Pheu Thai Party said the former PM fled to Dubai to be reunited with her fugitive brother Thaksin Shinawatra.

Srisuwan at the NACC office on 28 August 2017 holding the petition calling on the NACC to probe the Deputy Prime Minister and the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (Photo from Srisuwan's Facebook)