Pictures courtesy of AFP published by CNA and Thai Rath

 

In a firm decision today, the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok, refused to permit Thaksin Shinawatra to travel to Qatar, where he was slated to potentially meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

 

Despite being accompanied by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Thaksin's request was deemed a personal matter, with the court dismissing any official agenda for talks with Trump. This ruling comes amid ongoing legal troubles for Thaksin, including a lawsuit tied to Thailand's strict lese majeste law, which frowns upon criticism of the monarchy.

 

The court's inquiry revealed Thaksin was invited to a dinner hosted by Qatar's Lusail Palace, with hopes, but no confirmation, of engaging in discussions with Trump and his economic team.

 

The invitation was personal, not relating to his advisory role to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, despite Ibrahim's standing as ASEAN’s president this year. While Thaksin anticipated a high-profile encounter, no definitive meeting details were established.

 

The timing of this trip raised eyebrows, coinciding closely with an upcoming Supreme Court trial concerning Thaksin's alleged involvement in remarks linking the monarchy to his 2006 ousting. The case asserts Thaksin’s comments during a Seoul interview.

 

With strong legal implications hovering, the court prioritised the impact of Thaksin's travel on case proceedings over potential diplomatic benefits. Thaksin remains under scrutiny, with the lese majeste violation charges threatening to cloud his future political aspirations and international relations.

 

As legal challenges persist for the influential Pheu Thai figure, the future remains uncertain. With no permission to leave the country and significant trials ahead, Thaksin's ability to navigate these hurdles will be pivotal to his political trajectory and personal freedoms.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-05-09

 

 

👍 good decision 

37 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

👍 good decision 

Is it? 

it might be a repeat of his last overseas escape plan to avoid any nasty and upsetting criminal court findings against his holiness.

If he didn't return, Thailand would be a better place without him - plus we wouldn't have to put up with the ongoing drama each and everyday of Thaksin this, Thaksin what ad infinitum. 

In a related story, Taksin has made contact with offices of "Boss Red Bull Airlines"

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In a firm decision today, the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok, refused to permit Thaksin Shinawatra to travel to Qatar, where he was slated to potentially meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

Excellent news...

One criminal trying to link up with the other one!

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

Maybe a single ticket back to Dubai instead?

Daddy can I go? No sweetheart this is for big boys. Please daddy I wanna go shopping. I promise to bring you something. Oh looks like I can’t go. 

Question, as he was pardoned, by the King, wouldn't any attempt to charge, find guilty, jail, be seen as an insult to the monarchy.

18 hours ago, BritScot said:

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

What Trump is doing he has learned from Mussolini. So if you are a fascist, yes - he is doing good.

18 hours ago, BritScot said:

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

Sure hope thats sarcasm because so far he's done nothing.  Unless things get signed into law the EO's and everything else are just smoke and mirrors.
They have control of both houses and still couldn't pass a Pro 2A bill the other day.

Dudes a joke

19 hours ago, BritScot said:

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

 

The GDP of 14% had nothing to do with anything Thaksin did, it would have been 14% even if you were PM at the time. 

20 hours ago, BritScot said:

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

You seem extremely delusional in thinking Trump has save the US, and the US is is certainly not the envy of the world, you need wake from whatever causes your dream world

20 hours ago, BritScot said:

First if Mr T. wanted out of Thailand he would already be gone. As for the haters Sir Trump, who has made America the envy of the world, cleaning up corruption at a massive rate, putting his country first and doing it for FREE!!! Sir Trump can rescue us in GB any time please. I also think Thailand needs all the help it can. Just remember when Mr T. was Thailand's PM the countries GDP was 14%.

So any proof Trump has cleaned up any corruption, as no-one else has found any, however, there is more evidence of him, and bf Musk, having created more

23 hours ago, ignore it said:

In a related story, Taksin has made contact with offices of "Boss Red Bull Airlines"

 Any details available?

It’s Thailand’s loss

On 5/9/2025 at 1:40 AM, webfact said:

In a firm decision today, the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok, refused to permit Thaksin Shinawatra to travel to Qatar,

 

Very good decision