03. Mar 2010
Thailand refuses visa to Dalai Lama's sister
(AFP) The Thai government has refused to grant a tourist visa to the sister of the Dalai Lama for fear of angering China, the foreign ministry said. Jetsun Pema, who lives in exile in India, was due to take part in a three-day Buddhist cultural show in Bangkok until the Thai embassy in New Delhi refused her. "We support the cultural show but in the case of the Dalai Lama's sister we have reserved our right to reject her visa application along with her husband's because we don't want to get involved in international politics", said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.