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Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law said he did not believe Thaksin and Pojaman would seek asylum though he had never discussed with them about their plan. "They are Thai people so they must live in Thailand. Why do they have to seek asylum? I am confident they will not seek asylum,'' he said.

Pojaman, Bhannapot Damapong and Kanchanapa Honghern quietly left Thailand at 10.40 AM from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Beijing on Tuesday. They were seen to carry several luggages with them. Some of her three children broke down into tears as they saw her off.

The report has been rife that they would seek political asylum after the Criminal Court sentenced the three to three years in jail after finding them guilty of tax evasion worth Bt546 million for the transactions of Shinawatra Computer and Communications shares.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holder summons both Thaksin and Pojaman, the defendants in the Rachadapisek land purchase case to give their last testimony on August 11. The verdict on the case will be given on September 16.

Thaksin has been expected to return from China to Thailand on August 10. He left Thailand to Japan on August 1 to give a special lecture.