There is nothing legally wrong with Pheu Thai party members flying abroad to meet with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Deputy Prime Mister Wissanu Krea-ngarm.

In response to reporters’ question about reports that scores of Pheu Thai former MPs have been flying to Hong Kong to meet with the fugitive former prime minister,  Dr Wissanu, the government’s top legal expert, said the media should not come to a conclusion that they went there to discuss politics with Thaksin.

“They may go there for shopping, dining or simply strolling,” he said as he clarified that for any act to be regarded as illegal, it must be clear.  “Merely flying to Hong Kong, Montenegro is not unusual, everyone has  freedom to travel,” he added.

“Even if they met with Thaksin, I don’t think there would be a problem.  Please do not make judgment that meeting with Thaksin means he has influence over the party.  Whether this is legal or not is another matter; whether it is right or not is another matter,” said the deputy prime minister.

Thaksin and his younger sister, former prime minister Yingluck, have been in Hong Kong since last week.  Among the core members of Pheu Thai party who have met with Thaksin are Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Anudit Nakhontap and Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn.

According to the Constitution, a party which allows itself to be influenced or dominated by an outsider can risk being dissolved by the Constitutional Court.