Thai authorities vowed yesterday to press for the extradition of Thaksin Shinawatra no matter where he lives, as the ousted prime minister searched for a refuge after Britain revoked his visa.

Thaksin, toppled in a military coup in September 2006, was last month sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife Pojaman buy state-owned land when he was premier.

Local media reported that the multi-millionaire is in China, with some saying he is set to fly to the Philippines, which Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat - Thaksin's brother-in-law--visitedMonday.

"No matter China or the Philippines, we have an extradition treaty with both countries," Sirisak Tiypan, director general for international affairs of the Office of the Attorney General, told AFP

Philippine's President Gloria

Arroyo's spokesman said Monday that Thaksin would be turned away if he applied for asylum, although the country said it had not received any request.

"He will be courteously informed that he will not be received here," spokesman Jesus Dureza told local television.

Sirisak said that even if Thaksin decides to live in a country with which Thailand has no extradition treaty, authorities could ask for him to be handed over on a reciprocal basis.

The Bahamas, Bermuda and several countries in Africa that are not believed to have extradition agreements with Thailand have reportedly offered to take in Thaksin and his wife.

Aides said however that Thaksin may head for the United Arab Emirates.

"If he can't go anywhere, he plans to stay long in Dubai," one Thaksin aide said on condition of anonymity.

Thaksin has spent most of his time since the 2006 coup in selfimposed exile in Britain, where he bought and subsequently sold Manchester City football club to a United Arab Emirates-based investment group.

He returned to Thailand in February this year, but swiftly fled again in August after his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for tax evasion.

Sirisak said Thaksin has until the end of next week to appeal against his conviction, but the ex-premier's legal advisor said he would not challenge the decision.

"We will not appeal," said the advisor, Wichit Plangsriskul.

"However we have not received any contact from Thaksin. It is possible that Thaksin and Pojaman will return to Thailand to fight the charges when the justice process is back to nor-riial,” Wichit said.