US Considers Whether To Ban Entry Of Runaway Thaksin

[george]

US considers whether to ban entry of runaway Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- The United States is considering whether to ban fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from entering the country, PM's personal spokesman Thepthai Saenpong.

The information came after Japan banned Thaksin from entering the country as he is convicted of corruption and is sentenced to two years in prison.

UK became the first country that blacklisted Thaksin who escaped the punishment and wandered to many countries.

-- The Nation 2009-02-08

[astral]

And why not.

There cannot be one rule for the rich and another for the rest of us.

[jdinasia]

Now this is a strange story ....

AFAIK the US won't tell you they are "considering" banning someone from the country. They do it or they don't do it .. they don't chat with you randomly about it.

[Jingthing]

Now this is a strange story ....

AFAIK the US won't tell you they are "considering" banning someone from the country. They do it or they don't do it .. they don't chat with you randomly about it.

Not necessarily. Sometimes things are leaked as "trial balloons" before the fact to see what flak is attracted before the final decision.

[Scott]

The US doesn't comment on situations like this. First, unless he has applied to enter the US, they wouldn't comment and if he had, Thaksin would be the one who is informed of it. Remember about 10-15 years ago, group of politicians were headed to the US from Thailand, several high-level people were denied a visa because of connections to the drug trade. As I recall, there was no comment from the embassy, but the politicians put up a big stink.

[jdinasia]

Now this is a strange story ....

AFAIK the US won't tell you they are "considering" banning someone from the country. They do it or they don't do it .. they don't chat with you randomly about it.

Not necessarily. Sometimes things are leaked as "trial balloons" before the fact to see what flak is attracted before the final decision.

Please give us a specific example where someone's personal immigration status was leaked to them while the government was "considering" their future status as a visitor

[Jingthing]

I will reserve judgment what the "US" does or doesn't do in this case until further confirmation. It is absurd to posit that a country always does this or that the same way for all time.

[jdinasia]

I invite you to send a message to the embassy or the US State dept, Jing .. and ask them about said policy

[noahvail]

I invite you to send a message to the embassy or the US State dept, Jing .. and ask them about said policy

And they, in their most official-sounding statement, will say they don't comment on such cases. Case closed.

[jdinasia]

I invite you to send a message to the embassy or the US State dept, Jing .. and ask them about said policy

And they, in their most official-sounding statement, will say they don't comment on such cases. Case closed.

Exactly

[Jingthing]

BS. Read the press release. Of course they won't talk to a private citizen. The info came from the PM's personal spokesman Thepthai Saenpong. Maybe its a press mistake. If not, if he is telling the truth he got the info from some kind of US official, officially or not. Maybe he is lying, maybe he wasn't supposed to leak it, maybe he was. However, your absolute certainty about diplomatic matters is pure hubris.

Edited February 8, 2009 by Jingthing

[jdinasia]

BS. Read the press release. Of course they won't talk to a private citizen. The info came from the PM's personal spokesman Thepthai Saenpong. Maybe its a press mistake. If not, if he is telling the truth he got the info from some kind of US official, officially or not. Maybe he is lying, maybe he wasn't supposed to leak it, maybe he was. However, your absolute certainty about diplomatic matters is pure hubris.

Then .. please give us an example of your claims that you made above ((and then please go back and take a look at all the press out of the US embassies (and the UK as well as they have similar policies))

But you made the claim that it happens .. please document it

[mc2]

We don't even know the source of the info , could very well be a sly rumor intended to paint Thaksin in a bad light. Both sides have been at it lately with rumors , we hada 'secret budget' rumor about destroying the red shirts on the front page today

Edited February 8, 2009 by mc2

[Jingthing]

We don't even know the source of the info , could very well be a sly rumor intended to paint Thaksin in a bad light. Both sides have been at it lately with rumors , didn't we have a 'secret budget' rumor about destroying the red shirts ?

Agreed. It could be. I cannot prove anything about this. I am not that foolish. Unlike some people here who think they know what's going down for certain when there is no way for them to know that for certain.

[jumnien]

Was this leaked by the same administration that suggests not reading international media reports about its torture of refugees to its citizens? Enough of this right-wing Abhisit farce!

[dave9988]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

[Jingthing]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

Hitler was elected. However, the US did give asylum to Marcos, much to our shame. Maybe a lesson learned? The current PM is in power under Thai law. He will face elections soon enough.

Edited February 8, 2009 by Jingthing

[jumnien]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

Hitler was elected. However, the US did give asylum to Marcos, much to our shame. Maybe a lesson learned?

Better press your yellow shirt, tomorrow's Monday! Or is everyday Monday in ASTV-land?

[Jingthing]

Better press your yellow shirt, tomorrow's Monday! Or is everyday Monday in ASTV-land?

Got the wrong sucker, mate. My reds and yellows are locked away tight with my cold weather farangland clothing. I didn't say Thai law meets your high standards, just that the current PM was legally elevated.

Edited February 8, 2009 by Jingthing

[jumnien]

When my wife says "legally elevated" it sounds like "regally elevated"; maybe she's smarter than I think!

She always mixes up the l's and r's!

Edited February 8, 2009 by jumnien

[Jingthing]

When my wife says "legally elevated" it sounds like "regally elevated"; maybe she's smarter than I think!

She always mixes up the l's and r's!

She sounds like a keeper.

[jdinasia]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

huh?

Political Asylum? On what basis? That he was convicted by a court he said he trusted (right up until his lawyers landed in jail?) He was not at risk in Thailand and stayed and came and went well after the coup. He's been convicted of abuse of power and is on the docket for far more serious charges (but they require him to be present in Thailand for the reading of the charges --- after that if he skips out again he can be tried in absentia.

Trading to get rulings? What could be traded with Japan or the US to get them to enforce their laws about admitting escaped felons?

[ballpoint]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

huh?

Political Asylum? On what basis? That he was convicted by a court he said he trusted (right up until his lawyers landed in jail?) He was not at risk in Thailand and stayed and came and went well after the coup. He's been convicted of abuse of power and is on the docket for far more serious charges (but they require him to be present in Thailand for the reading of the charges --- after that if he skips out again he can be tried in absentia.

Trading to get rulings? What could be traded with Japan or the US to get them to enforce their laws about admitting escaped felons?

Yeah, the same courts he now seems to trust enough to sue the deputy PM in. Dave also conveniently forgets that the UK revoked Thaksins visa when his own mob were in power. Was that traded for too? Et tu Somchai?

[venturalaw]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

huh?

Political Asylum? On what basis? That he was convicted by a court he said he trusted (right up until his lawyers landed in jail?) He was not at risk in Thailand and stayed and came and went well after the coup. He's been convicted of abuse of power and is on the docket for far more serious charges (but they require him to be present in Thailand for the reading of the charges --- after that if he skips out again he can be tried in absentia.

Trading to get rulings? What could be traded with Japan or the US to get them to enforce their laws about admitting escaped felons?

Yeah, the same courts he now seems to trust enough to sue the deputy PM in. Dave also conveniently forgets that the UK revoked Thaksins visa when his own mob were in power. Was that traded for too? Et tu Somchai?

The issue is whether the US will allow a convicted felon who is fleeing justice into the country. Frankly, I doubt it.

[neverdie]

I would of thought the US would of welcomed thaksin open armed. I thought they might want his money....their economy could really do with someone running around with a few quid in his pocket. Perhaps the US could set up a few scams to milk his money away, maybe he could be driven around aimlessly in a taxi.

ahh the irony of it

[Gravelrash]

When my wife says "legally elevated" it sounds like "regally elevated"; maybe she's smarter than I think!

She always mixes up the l's and r's!

She sounds like a keeper.

I don't recall him attacking your partner or is that just SOP?

[Gravelrash]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

huh?

Political Asylum? On what basis? That he was convicted by a court he said he trusted (right up until his lawyers landed in jail?) He was not at risk in Thailand and stayed and came and went well after the coup. He's been convicted of abuse of power and is on the docket for far more serious charges (but they require him to be present in Thailand for the reading of the charges --- after that if he skips out again he can be tried in absentia.

Trading to get rulings? What could be traded with Japan or the US to get them to enforce their laws about admitting escaped felons?

Free rice?

[Sandstone Art]

Thaksin will have to keep his 'movements' a secret nowadays.

Certainly he does not want people to know that he is just being granted entry to few countries now. That will be so embrassing if news keep on reporting that he is in a (same) certain country calling back Thailand or meeting his people.

Don't think USA will welcome him . Mr Obama is not Thaksin's good friend right?

[Jingthing]

When my wife says "legally elevated" it sounds like "regally elevated"; maybe she's smarter than I think!

She always mixes up the l's and r's!

She sounds like a keeper.

I don't recall him attacking your partner or is that just SOP?

Keeper is a compliment, as in you are lucky to have a good spouse.

Don't think USA will welcome him . Mr Obama is not Thaksin's good friend right?

I don't see Obama and Thaksin as soul mates, no sir. Why would the US allow him in? It would irritate the allied government of Thailand. Thaksin was that, now he is a wanted fugitive. Fair or not, that is what he is legally.

Edited February 8, 2009 by Jingthing

[jdinasia]

Can someone explain how a democratically elected official ousted by a military coup does not qualify for political asylum? it seems rather open shut.

it sounds like the current thai government is "trading" to get these rulings.

huh?

Political Asylum? On what basis? That he was convicted by a court he said he trusted (right up until his lawyers landed in jail?) He was not at risk in Thailand and stayed and came and went well after the coup. He's been convicted of abuse of power and is on the docket for far more serious charges (but they require him to be present in Thailand for the reading of the charges --- after that if he skips out again he can be tried in absentia.

Trading to get rulings? What could be traded with Japan or the US to get them to enforce their laws about admitting escaped felons?

Free rice?

The USA needs free rice? (and Thailand has unaccounted free rice to give away?)

Abstract: The United States is a leading exporter of high-quality rice in the international

market,shipping rough,brown,and milled rice. This article breaks up the United States’rice

export market by type of rice exported and describes recent trends within each market. While

the United States has lost market share in the combined brown and milled rice market, it is a

leading supplier of rough rice, with Latin America accounting for the bulk of shipments. In

1999/2000, rough rice accounted for almost 30 percent of total U.S. rice exports, a near-

record share. In contrast, since the mid-1990’s, the United States has steadily lost market

share in the global milled rice market, primarily to lower cost Asian exporters. The U.S.

milled rice market could benefit from recent legislation ending unilateral sanctions on

exports of food and medicine to Iran and Cuba.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/Rice/Spec...Sricemarket.pdf

Guess you will have to join Jing in the "throwing around 'facts' that are anything but" category this time around!