The National Council for Peace and Order again made clear Tuesday it would not allow Pheu Thai politicians to travel aboard to help former premier Thaksin Shinawatra celebrate his 66th birthday, citing concerns the party really was merely cover for a “political meeting”.
"I think it's not appropriate to go and plan a meeting here and there in other countries to try to find ways to disrupt the government's work or create unrest," army chief and Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said.
"I'm in charge of security affairs, so how can I let that happen".
Gen Udomdej said some politicians had already sought permission to go to Dubai, but the NCPO felt their meetup with Thaksin may cause "disorder", so it asked them to postpone the trip.
He did not name the petitioners nor their party. Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has not expressed a desire to join her elder brother in Dubai, the army chief added.
Ms Yingluck was granted bail and ordered not to leave the country without court permission two months ago after she was charged with dereliction of duty and abuse of authority by failing to stop corruption and losses in her rice-pledging scheme.
A Pheu Thai source said Thaksin currently is in Singapore and some former Pheu Thai MPs travelled to the city-state to wish him an early happy birthday. Thaksin will return to Dubai on Thursday and may hold a dinner party there July 26 for close friends.
The source claimed some former cabinet members and ex-Pheu Thai MPs may have been allowed to attend the Dubai function, but noted that anyone summoned for talks with the NCPO since it took power in May 2014 would be barred.
'This is what I get?'
Ex-deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he had asked the NCPO to leave Thailand for Dubai Friday and return Tuesday, but his request has not been granted yet. "And it is too late to go now," he complained.
Mr Surapong said he is not a gangster or convict and should be allowed to travel where he wants as it is a fundamental right.
"I don't understand why they blocked me. By doing this, what foreign country will have confidence in Thailand?" the Pheu Thai member asked rhetorically.
"I am a former foreign minister (and) have never done anything wrong, but this is what I get?"
Mr Surapong claimed he did not know who else in the Pheu Thai party had requested junta permission to visit Thaksin, saying he always travels alone.
Last year, Ms Yingluck reunited with Thaksin at his birthday party, along with family members and those with close ties to the party, at a hotel in Paris after her holiday in Europe was approved by the NCPO.