By Kocha Olarn, Irene Nasser and Rhea Mogul, CNN
Updated 8:40 PM ET, Thu August 11, 2022
Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew by private jet from Singapore to Thailand on Thursday, according to a high-ranking police official with direct knowledge of his movements.
The source said Rajapaksa’s jet landed at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport and that his stay in Thailand will be treated confidentially.
Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said in a social media post Wednesday 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, emphasizing the ousted leader’s stay is temporary and he is not seeking political asylum.