In a stunning setback in his effort to remain free of prison, the former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, had his travel visa revoked by the British government Saturday November 8. Thaksin, who fled to exile in Britain last August, has been resisting attempts to force him to return to Thailand following his conviction in absentia on corruption charges. The revocation of the visas prohibits re-entry into Britain where the couple had requested asylum. The government's revocation order also applied to Thaksin's wife Pojamin.

A government spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity stated that the visas were revoked under regulations that prohibit entry into Britain for foreigners convicted of serious crimes, according to the Thai foreign ministry.

In mid-October the Thai Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders by a vote of 5 – 4, convicted Thaksin and sentenced him to 2 years in prison. The conviction stems from accusations Thaksin used his position to obtain a lucrative undeveloped land sale for his wife in 2003. Under Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act government officials and their immediate family members are prohibited from doing business or having interests in firms that do business with any government agencies which fall under the purview of their office.

The former Prime Minsiter's attorneys have argued that the government agency involved in the sale – the Financial Institutions Development Fund – is a "state enterprise," and was therefore not under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's office.

Overthrown in a bloodless military coup in 2006, Thaksin returned to Thailand in early 2008 following the December 2007 parliamentary election victory of the People's Power Party (PPP) which is controlled by his political allies. Following his return he was arraigned on corruption charges stemming from the 2003 land deal. He was later released on bail.

The court later allowed Thaksin and his wife to travel to Beijing in August for the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Instead of returning to Thailand as required, the couple fled to England. In a hand written statement faxed to media outlets at the time of his flight, Thaksin claimed he did not want to return to Thailand out of fear for his life. He also stated that he felt the charges against him were politically motivated.

The anti-Thaksin movement is motivated almost entirely by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), staunch opponents of the PPP, whom they accuse of corruption. Although very popular with the rural population and the poor due to his populist policies while in office, Thaksin is bitterly opposed by those that make up the PAD, primarily business interests, academics, and royalists.

Since August 26, PAD protesters have been in control of Government House, the seat of government power in Thailand. The anti-government protests have virtually paralyzed the government of the current Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother in law.

A billionaire media tycoon in his own right, Thaksin is also the former owner of the Manchester City Football Club in England. Currently said to be in China, Thaksin has several options remaining that would keep him from having to return to Thailand, including a report of an offer of honorary citizenship in the Bahamas. For the moment the couple are expect to remain in China where they are currently building a mansion worth several million dollars.