Military allow ousted Thai PM Yingluck to travel abroad

Thailand's military leaders have given ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra permission to travel abroad for the first time since the coup.

A military spokesman said the request had been approved because Ms Yingluck had "kept a low profile" since her government was overthrown on May 22.

Reports suggest she will travel to France for the birthday of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The military seized power after months of anti-government protests in Bangkok.

Mr Thaksin, who turns 65 on July 26, was ousted in a coup in 2006.

He was removed by the military, sparking off a cycle of political instability in Thailand.

He has been living in self-imposed exile overseas after being convicted of corruption by a Thai court.

BBC