THE Penang police have confirmed that Thailand’s former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra are in the state, and the force has assigned police personnel to escort the siblings due to security concerns. 

Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the police escort was provided as both are persons of interest due to their fame as former prime ministers of Thailand. 

“The security control provided for them is out of concern that there might be parties with malicious intent against them. We the police carry out our duties for security. There is no other issue and I feel this should not be politicised as the police are only carrying out responsibilities from the aspect of maintaining security,” he told reporters in George Town today.

He added that if something untoward were to happen to Thaksin and Yingluck, everyone would blame the police for failing to ensure public safety in the state. 

Photos of Thaksin and Yingluck at several popular locations in Penang had gone viral two days ago, and Yingluck herself had uploaded 16 photos to her Facebook account yesterday. 

Both siblings served as prime ministers of Thailand – Thaksin from 2001 to 2006, and Yingluck from 2011 to 2014. Both are living in exile after being disposed of by military coups. – Bernama, September 23, 2022.