DESPITE thousands of tourists visas being granted for Thailand every day, the devoutly Buddhist nation is unable to find space for the Dalai Lama’s sister.
Jetsun Pema, younger sibling of the exiled Tibetan leader, was turned down by the Thai government in case allowing her in the country enraged China.
The 69-year-old, who currently resides in India, was hoping to speak at a three-day cultural show in the capital which starts on Friday. She was due to discuss spiritual education for Buddhist exiles.
Foreign ministry spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut told reporters that her visa application was rejected by Thailand’s New Delhi Embassy as they “did not want to get involved in international politics”.
China has been highly critical of any nation which overtly exhibits any diplomatic ties with the Dalai Lama and even fiercely condemned US President Barak Obama for meeting him last month.
The Dalai Lama fled his Tibetian homeland in 1959 and currently resides in Mcleod Ganj in the Indian Himalayas. He speaks out for greater autonomy for Tibet but is dismissed by Bejing as a dissident separatist.
China currently invests large sums in Thailand’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
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