She and son Supasek Amornchat arrived to check in for TG 930 flight to Paris at 10.00 p.m. amid an army of media journalists at Suvarnabhumi airport.
A total of 11 suitcases were checked on the flight two hours earlier.
Accompanying her on the flight included her niece and her son’s two close friends.
Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn was also on the same flight but was not seen at the airport. She reportedly checked in after most media representatives have left.
Thaksin’s divorced wife Khunying Pojamarn Damapong has flown out earlier to Paris.
Yingluck told the media before entering the departure lounge that she would return surely.
“I want to take a vacation. Let’s talk after I’ve come back,” Yingluck replied when reporters shouted to her and asked when would she return.
Only her lawyer Phichit Chuenbarn, her PR team leader Wim Rungwatanachinda, a Pheu Thai party member Singto Buachum, and former prime minister’s deputy secretary-general Pol Maj Gen Thawat Boonfueng were seen at the airport to send her off.
Other Shinawatra family members who included Yingluck’s elder sister Mrs Yaowapha Wongsawat and her husband Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin Shinawatra’s younger brother Payab, are scheduled to leave for Paris on another flight Thursday night. All have earlier sought permission from the National Council for Peace and Order to leave for the same purpose of attending Thaksin’s 65th birthday anniversary in Paris on July 26.
Former foreign minister Surapong said last night he would leave Thursday night as he has already sought permission from the NCPO and would return on July 27.
He said he did not make appointment with Ms Yingluck in Paris but stated that in the past it was common to see foreign minister and prime minister going together at all official functions. Now both are former ministers, it was also common to see them together.
Former finance minister Kittirat said he did not go to Paris as he has not sought permission because he had no intention to go there.
