FOR all the uncertainties surrounding ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's immediate future, after Britain abruptly cancelled his visa and that of his wife while he was abroad, most baffling of all is why London acted.

The recent conflict-of-interest conviction in the Thai courts seems an unlikely spur: Wasn't the credibility of the courts, which the deposed former PM disputed, the issue here? He had fled to Britain only in August and was still putting up his case for asylum.

Some think the visa cancellations were prompted by political and diplomatic concerns. Airline sources said London may have been alarmed by Thaksin's apparent plan to use Britain as a staging ground to launch political activities against his opponents in Thailand.

Thaksin could, of course, have been politely told to leave quietly for not acting like a real persecuted refugee.

However, he might have mounted a legal campaign to stay on - a potential headache for London.

An airline source suggested that it might have been found that the man, who was allowed to live a luxurious life in Britain and buy premium football club Manchester City, had been involved in some dubious deals.

Whatever the case may be, Thaksin has gone from divisive political figure in Thailand to international hot potato.

Airlines have been told not to let him board a plane for Britain. Thaksin's whereabouts are unclear.

A source in the ruling People Power Party points to a luxurious mansion being constructed in an unspecified location in China with funding from him.

The Bahamas, in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida, has also emerged as a possible home. Thaksin and his wife have reportedly been granted honorary citizenship there.

Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama, once Thaksin's lawyer, said that he expected the former PM to live in an Asian country like China.

Mr Noppadon said many countries were willing to grant him a visa.

"Thaksin is expected to pick a country that honours...him and from which he can travel independently,? he said.

Wherever he sets up camp, analysts say the revocation of the couple's visas is a big setback for any political comeback.

But it's not all bad news for Thaksin. The cancellation of his visa may look like a win for the Thai courts, but it could also make his extradition trickier. Public prosecutors had completed paperwork for his extradition in English.

However, Mr Sirisak Tiyapan, director-general of the Foreign Affairs Department, said extradition could proceed only if there was evidence that Thaksin had residence in the country from which Thailand was seeking his extradition.

This is now a big question mark.

- THE NATION/ANN