Former Thai PM reportedly in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: A former Thai official says the country's fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in Hong Kong.

Jakrapob Penkair said Friday Thaksin is in town but would be leaving soon. He declined to elaborate when Thaksin will leave or where he is headed.

Thaksin was sentenced in absentia by a Thai court in October to two years in prison for violating a conflict of interest law while he was prime minister. He had his British visa revoked last week while he was travelling, and his whereabouts were unclear.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman also said Thursday that Thaksin was believed to be in Hong Kong.