Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested Thai authorities to let him venerate some of Bangkok’s world-renowned Buddhist temples, Thai media reported yesterday. Former President Rajapaksa flew by private jet from Singapore to Thailand on Thursday. Thai Foreign Ministry sources said his stay in Thailand will be treated confidentially.
Thai Security authorities have however advised the former President to confine his stay to the hotel in view of security considerations. Thai authorities are reported to be studying the former President’s new request.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said in a social media post that Thailand had received a request from Rajapaksa to enter the country.
Sangrat said that as a holder of a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport, Rajapaksa can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days, saying the ousted leader’s stay is temporary and he is not seeking political asylum.