by Piyanart Srivalo

Fugitive and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly visited Malaysia before leaving for Fiji, Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam said Monday.

Thaworn said he understood Thaksin went to Malaysia on Saturday and left on Sunday.

However, his reasons for going to Malaysia are not known, and, Thaworn said, the report was unconfirmed. Police are verifying it.

Thaksin left Malaysia before Thai police could take action, Thaworn said. It remained the responsibility of the police, attorney general and the Foreign Ministry to get Thaksin back to serve the convictions against him, he said.

The deputy interior minister said the government was not worried by reports Thaksin was in Thailand's neighbourhood.