Pheu Thai MPs in Hong Kong to meet Thasksin

Chaowarin said the MPs would consult Thaksin on the plan to hold a noconfidence debate against the government.

He said Thaksin had just arrived at Hong Kong, having previously been 'in hiding' in Nicaragua.

"Thaksin has been in hiding in several countries because he could be assassinated. And he has been keeping a low profile in Nicaragua and has just visited Hong Kong," Chaowarin said. "I won't say where we will meet him, because assassins may try to kill him."

Meanwhile, another team of Pheu Thai MPs led by Chalerm Yoobamrung on Thursday left for Hong Kong to visit Thaksin, a party source said.

The source said Chalerm's team would consult Thaksin on the planned censure debate against the government, too. However, they will wait for the Chaowarin group before meeting Thaksin together.

The party source said members of Chalerm group include Veera Muksikkapong, a leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday denied that a group of Pheu Thai MPs plan to ask for money from Thaksin when they meet him in Hong Kong.

Prompong said the MPs left for Hong Kong to meet Thaksin out of their "love and respect" for the former prime minister. He dismissed reports that the MPs would take money from Thaksin to organise a mass rally outside Government House on Tuesday.

Prompong said the redshirted supporters of Thaksin would join the rally without being paid to do so.