(The New York Times) — A Thai Airways employee says exiled Cambodian opposition politician Sam Rainsy was not allowed to board a flight from Paris to Bangkok because his booking was not valid.

Sam Rainsy had vowed to return from exile in France to Cambodia on Saturday to lead a movement to force long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen from office.

The employee of the Thai flag carrier at Paris' Charles De Gaulle Airport, who answered a telephone call but declined to give his name, said a valid ticket had not been issued in Sam Rainsy's name and the economy class section for Thursday's flight was full. He said a booking in Sam Rainsy's name had been made for a new flight on Saturday.