Former Thai PM mugged in Moscow

The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been robbed in Moscow. His suitcase – containing his passport, camera and cash worth total $US 36,000 – was stolen as he was eating in a McDonald's fast-food restaurant.

The Foreign Ministry of Thailand has confirmed that Thaksin Shinawatra has applied for a new passport at the local Thai embassy.

The former premier was in the Russian capital to receive an honorary science degree from the Plekhanov Economic Institute.

Thaksin Shinawatra's government was overthrown by a military junta in a bloodless coup in September 2006.