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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted his government is taking steps to strip former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of his police lieutenant colonel rank.

“We’re working on this matter,” said Prayut, after a reporter asked him if the move hit any snag

Prayut says a Justice Ministry committee is finalising the process.

He says critics should not be worried since the ex-premier could not return to Thailand anyway.

Prayut says he is not afraid of going ahead to strip Thaksin’s rank on ground that he was a fugitive in the criminal case involving an unlawful purchase of state-owned plot of land.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing right here. However, the whole process ought to run its full course before the rank can be removed."