Barred by Britain, exiled Thai PM seeks new home

And Thaksin has a Thai diplomatic passport, a courtesy given to former prime ministers that allows him visa-free entry to 40 countries. But as pressure mounts on the government to withdraw that privilege, Thaksin is looking increasingly like a man without a country.

8220;His primary concern will be to move to a country without an extradition treaty with Thailand,8221; said Dan Nardello, a former US federal prosecutor who heads Nardello 038; Co., an investigations firm with offices in New York, London and Washington.

China is frequently mentioned as a possible sanctuary. Thaksin has business associates there and was 8220;on vacation8221; in the country this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

However, China is unlikely to let Thaksin stay unless the Thai government signals its approval. Bangkok is an important political and trade partner for Beijing, and China has an extradition treaty with Thailand.

The two other places often mentioned, the Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates, don8217;t have extradition treaties with Thailand.