Election Commission Urged to Probe Thaksin’s Dual Citizenship

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

On 18 November 2024, Sondhiya Sawatdee, a former advisor to the House of Representatives' legal, justice, and human rights commission, filed a formal request with Thailand’s Election Commission (EC).

 

He urged the commission to investigate whether Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, holds dual citizenship in Thailand and Montenegro.

 

This inquiry stems from Thaksin’s involvement in campaigning for a Pheu Thai Party candidate in the Udon Thani provincial administrative organisation (PAO) election last weekend.

 

Sondhiya expressed concerns that Thaksin's dual citizenship, if confirmed, could violate local election laws, party regulations, and the constitution.

 

He referenced Section 68 of the 2019 Local Council and Administrative Organisation Election Act, noting that Thaksin’s prolonged 17-year absence from Thailand and reports of his Montenegrin citizenship raised legal questions.

Sondhiya cited Montenegro’s policy prohibiting dual citizenship and questioned whether Thaksin’s actions were in line with Montenegrin law.

 

Efforts to confirm Thaksin’s citizenship status through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were inconclusive. Sondhiya contacted the Montenegrin honorary consulate in Thailand, only to be told that inquiries must be directed to Montenegro’s authorities.

 

Sondhiya added that the EC must clarify whether Thaksin’s campaign activities were lawful. If Thaksin still holds Montenegrin citizenship, his involvement in the election campaign could render it invalid.

 

Thai law prohibits non-Thai nationals from participating in any form of election activities. Additionally, Sondhiya raised concerns over Thaksin’s campaign rhetoric, accusing him of using defamatory and misleading language. 

 

The Pheu Thai Party’s involvement, given its logo and endorsement of the Udon Thani PAO candidate, was also flagged for scrutiny. Sondhiya urged the EC to address the issue thoroughly to ensure clarity and accountability.

 

In a related matter, Sondhiya plans to submit a separate inquiry to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

He seeks an explanation regarding her absence from the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Summit in Laos last month, which was noted in Filipino media reports.

 

Sondhiya questioned whether this reflects on the country’s representation on the global stage, urging a clear response for the reassurance of Thai citizens, reported Siam RAth.

 

-- 2024-11-19

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Sondhiya cited Montenegro’s policy prohibiting dual citizenship and questioned whether Thaksin’s actions were in line with Montenegrin law.

What business is this that the Election Commission has to make a ruling on?

The dinosaur's must be very frightened and desperate in their continued attempts to remove the Thaksins from any form of power.

[billd766]

If Thaksin was born in Thailand of a Thai mother, then he is Thai.

 

The government CANNOT strip Thaksin of his Thai citizenship and make him stateless as that is against Thai and international law.

[mfd101]

3 hours ago, billd766 said:

The government CANNOT strip Thaksin of his Thai citizenship and make him stateless as that is against Thai and international law.

That's not the question. As I understand it, the question is whether he has Montenegrin citizenship IN ADDITION TO his Thai citizenship, and - if so - what effect that has on any political activities he undertakes in Thailand.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai law prohibits non-Thai nationals from participating in any form of election activities

Find an angle and go for it... with any luck Thaksin will need his Montenegro passport

[Captor]

How did he got a Montenegro citizenship? Did he bought it? I beleive that is possible in some nations.

[mfd101]

47 minutes ago, Captor said:

How did he got a Montenegro citizenship? Did he bought it? I beleive that is possible in some nations.

Small poor countries everywhere in the world hawk their passports around to the wealthy marginal citizens of The West, Russia, China and just about anywhere else you can think of. Malta comes to mind. Probably Cyprus also, and many countries of the Caribbean.

[Srikcir]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin’s prolonged 17-year absence from Thailand and reports of his Montenegrin citizenship raised legal questions.

Absence does not affect Thai citizenship.

Thailand's citizenship is based on blood, or jus sanguinis.

 

A person who is born with parents who both hold Thai nationality automatically acquires Thai citizenship.

persons acquire Thai nationality by birth:

A person born of a father or a mother of Thai nationality, whether within or outside the Thai Kingdom.

• Thailand’s Nationality Act B.E. 2508; Chapter 1: Acquisition of Thai Nationality, Section 7. Birth https://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/nationality-act-acquisition-of-thai-nationality-sections-7-12/

[Purdey]

I remember that parliament once question Abhisit Vejjajiva for having British and Thai nationality. He basically said he didn't care what they thought, and he kept his British passport. So, Thaksin has a nationality? So what?

 

Fun fact: Mark is not Abhisit Vejjajiva's nickname; it is his actual first name. 

[Purdey]

1 hour ago, Captor said:

How did he got a Montenegro citizenship? Did he bought it? I beleive that is possible in some nations.

You are right, he bought.

[Andycoops]

Why just him, why not probe all citizens with dual citizenship, another witch hunt because the Muppets have nothing else better to do...

[Captor]

16 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Small poor countries everywhere in the world hawk their passports around to the wealthy marginal citizens of The West, Russia, China and just about anywhere else you can think of. Malta comes to mind. Probably Cyprus also, and many countries of the Caribbean.

OK, thanks!

[bkkcanuck8]

On 11/19/2024 at 9:00 AM, Tropicalevo said:

What business is this that the Election Commission has to make a ruling on?

The dinosaur's must be very frightened and desperate in their continued attempts to remove the Thaksins from any form of power.

Not to mention if drug smuggling conviction in a foreign country is not considered a criminal offence/record for serving in the Thai parliament, it would be ripe if they turned around and said anything about Thaksin violating foreign laws..

[watchcat]

On 11/19/2024 at 6:13 AM, hotchilli said:

Thaksin will need his Montenegro passport

 

Or any other passports he have....