Thaksin Nearly Arrested

[auserb]

and he went quietly to the airport and greet the immigration officer before taking his plane

ha ha ha ha, good on Him.

Unbeliiiiiiveble

but what a hack

[bungy007]

Why bring him back?

Almost a certainty of major civil unrest if he returns or is brought back.

Sure.

The corollary is "Why Thaksin is not keen to come back?"

I cannot imagine the landing at Savapum + the festive ambiance around the jail.

Better warn him about shopping in King Powers - wouldn't like him to be detained against his will by the scam before he has to be detained by the powers of justice

[daxbr]

I am taking that with a grain of salt.

I am sure the Malaysian police would be smart enough to alarm the airport police to look out for Thaksin, but didn't? How could this be possible. KL airport is at least 1 hour drive from the Shangri-la (Jalan sultant Ismail) without traffic, and the Malaysian police should have enough time. KL airport is always very empty even during peak hours. Anyone can identify Thaksin across the bare immigration hall. There is no where to hide, or crowd to cover him.

I am too. No info when this accident occured either. Sounds like Thai Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Sennian plants stories of dubious value in newspapers to keep the heat on. Bangkok Post complies.

[sabaijai]

Fugitive former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra's secret Fiji talks

Rowan Callick, Asia-Pacific editor | July 09, 2009

Article from: The Australian

FUGITIVE billionaire former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra flew in his Learjet to Fiji for a secret meeting with the controversial prime minister and military commander Frank Bainimarama.

The subject of their discussions, held in Mr Bainimarama's office in Suva on Monday, is unknown, but informed sources in Fiji say Mr Thaksin is considering investing $300million in the country.

In return, he would probably be assured safety there from extradition, if he should choose to use Fiji as one of his bases in exile. Thailand is seeking to return him to Bangkok, where he faces two years in jail for abuse of power.

Mr Thaksin used an assumed name to enter Fiji, although his true identity was known to the authorities, who approved his visit in advance. The Thai government has cancelled Mr Thaksin's Thai passport, and says he is currently using a passport issued by Montenegro.

Thailand's deputy prime minister, Thaworn Sennian, said Mr Thaksin had earlier flown to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, where he stayed en route to Fiji. Thai embassy officials immediately sought Mr Thaksin's arrest and extradition.

"Somehow, Thaksin managed to get wind of the impending arrest and escaped," Mr Thaworn said.

Mr Thaksin was believed to be heading next for Tonga and then to Port Vila in Vanuatu, which is tomorrow hosting the annual meeting of the heads of the Melanesian Spearhead Group of countries -- Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The MSG meeting is important for Mr Bainimarama because he will not be able to attend this year's Pacific Islands Forum summit in Cairns in August, as Fiji has been suspended from the Pacific body.

The Fiji economy is in considerable trouble, with tourism in a downward spiral globally as a result of the economic downturn, and with the other major industry, sugar, suffering from the withdrawal of subsidies from the European Union following the failure of the Fiji government to announce elections.

The major investor there this year has been Fiji's own national provident fund, with some financially stretched smaller tourism operators seeking to exit but finding no buyers at present -- thus reinforcing the attraction of Mr Thaksin's business empire.

Mr Bainimarama's military-installed government has said it will not hold an election until September 2014, providing Mr Thaksin with five years' security if necessary, reinforced by the Fiji government's control of the courts.

Mr Thaksin's legal adviser, Noppadon Patama, said the stopover in Kuala Lumpur was merely in order to refuel the jet.

He said there was no attempt to arrest him in Malaysia. He said foreign leaders were willing to welcome Mr Thaksin because they understood the charges against him were politically motivated.

Thailand's deputy foreign minister, Panich Vikitsreth, said extradition requests had been filed to Malaysia and to Australia, apparently in the hope Canberra could use its influence in Fiji.

But relations between Australia and Fiji have become increasingly strained, especially since Mr Bainimarama's government in April abrogated the constitution, dismissed the judiciary, and ruled out elections for five years.

Mr Thaksin was a senior police officer who built a telecommunications empire worth billions of dollars.

He became Thailand's prime minister from 2001 before being ousted in a military coup in September 2006, while he was attending the UN general assembly.

[keepsamuiclean]

Fugitive former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra's secret Fiji talks

Rowan Callick, Asia-Pacific editor | July 09, 2009

Article from: The Australian

FUGITIVE billionaire former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra flew in his Learjet to Fiji for a secret meeting with the controversial prime minister and military commander Frank Bainimarama.

The subject of their discussions, held in Mr Bainimarama's office in Suva on Monday, is unknown, but informed sources in Fiji say Mr Thaksin is considering investing $300million in the country.

In return, he would probably be assured safety there from extradition, if he should choose to use Fiji as one of his bases in exile. Thailand is seeking to return him to Bangkok, where he faces two years in jail for abuse of power.

Mr Thaksin used an assumed name to enter Fiji, although his true identity was known to the authorities, who approved his visit in advance. The Thai government has cancelled Mr Thaksin's Thai passport, and says he is currently using a passport issued by Montenegro.

Thailand's deputy prime minister, Thaworn Sennian, said Mr Thaksin had earlier flown to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, where he stayed en route to Fiji. Thai embassy officials immediately sought Mr Thaksin's arrest and extradition.

"Somehow, Thaksin managed to get wind of the impending arrest and escaped," Mr Thaworn said.

Mr Thaksin was believed to be heading next for Tonga and then to Port Vila in Vanuatu, which is tomorrow hosting the annual meeting of the heads of the Melanesian Spearhead Group of countries -- Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The MSG meeting is important for Mr Bainimarama because he will not be able to attend this year's Pacific Islands Forum summit in Cairns in August, as Fiji has been suspended from the Pacific body.

The Fiji economy is in considerable trouble, with tourism in a downward spiral globally as a result of the economic downturn, and with the other major industry, sugar, suffering from the withdrawal of subsidies from the European Union following the failure of the Fiji government to announce elections.

The major investor there this year has been Fiji's own national provident fund, with some financially stretched smaller tourism operators seeking to exit but finding no buyers at present -- thus reinforcing the attraction of Mr Thaksin's business empire.

Mr Bainimarama's military-installed government has said it will not hold an election until September 2014, providing Mr Thaksin with five years' security if necessary, reinforced by the Fiji government's control of the courts.

Mr Thaksin's legal adviser, Noppadon Patama, said the stopover in Kuala Lumpur was merely in order to refuel the jet.

He said there was no attempt to arrest him in Malaysia. He said foreign leaders were willing to welcome Mr Thaksin because they understood the charges against him were politically motivated.

Thailand's deputy foreign minister, Panich Vikitsreth, said extradition requests had been filed to Malaysia and to Australia, apparently in the hope Canberra could use its influence in Fiji.

But relations between Australia and Fiji have become increasingly strained, especially since Mr Bainimarama's government in April abrogated the constitution, dismissed the judiciary, and ruled out elections for five years.

Mr Thaksin was a senior police officer who built a telecommunications empire worth billions of dollars.

He became Thailand's prime minister from 2001 before being ousted in a military coup in September 2006, while he was attending the UN general assembly.

This fits!! Mr. Baini... govt. abrogated the constitution, dismissed the judicary and ruled out election for 5 years....Seems to be Thaksins brother in disguise.

Thaksins red shirts are "fighting for democracy" in Thailand for such a guy who wants to become big again in Fiji where no democracy is. Hopefully there are some red shirts with a kind of brain who might finally stop supporting this former police man.

[Datsun240Z]

As I read on another thread he wants to invest 300 Milion into Fiji goverment in return for safety? In any way or another, he can't let as he says his " red shirts " in Thailand sufficate.

[JacknDanny]

I can't believe the rubbish some newspapers write and the readers who believe everything the same papers write....

"Thaksin slipped into Malaysia....."

and

"Thaksin escaped from Malaysia...."

And:

"According to Thaworn, Thaksin later left for Fiji."..yeah right....in an hot air balloon

It's like Cinderella....a fairy tale.

There's NO prove whatsoever; no photo's, no (copy) hotel bills, nobody from the hotel staff, confirming Thaksin was there, no flight number; there are no direct flights from Malaysia to Fiji's Nadi international airport (handling 96% of all international arrivals).

If he's in Fiji he had to go via Australia or New Zealand, Honolulu, Los Angeles/US, Vancouver/Canada, Narita/Japan or Korea first, coming from Malaysia.

All of them not very likely as the distances to reach Fiji are enormous; so called long haul flights.

My opinion? rubbish!

Propaganda from the Thai government and I will only believe it when I see evidence.

LaoPo

You really should get a job with the BBC LaoPo,

Or are you still saying its BS

[hammered]

It is ironic maybe thsat such a fighter for people's rights and emocracy as Mr. Thaksin ends up in some of the least democratic countries in the world.

[Tony Clifton]

It is ironic maybe thsat such a fighter for people's rights and emocracy as Mr. Thaksin ends up in some of the least democratic countries in the world.

Touché!

[babuhavas]

one thing i don't understand,a person is crossing borders and countries every now and then,how come there are no records in immigration?even if he is flying by private plane still he has to cross immigration, there has to be some records of the plane atleast.also should have some records form hotels and places he stayed.

[webfact]

one thing i don't understand,a person is crossing borders and countries every now and then,how come there are no records in immigration?even if he is flying by private plane still he has to cross immigration, there has to be some records of the plane atleast.also should have some records form hotels and places he stayed.

answer: $

[Scott]

Well, he is in self-imposed exile from one of the least democratic countries in the world.

[hammered]

Well, he is in self-imposed exile from one of the least democratic countries in the world.

Im not sure "least" is the correct word there. Thailand in relative terms is plenty democratatic compared to a whole swathe of UN members. It really isnt the top tier of least democratic countries, probably not even in the second tier.

Im not sure "self imposed exile" is correct either. Isnt he technically a fugitive?

[sabaijai]

Well, he is in self-imposed exile from one of the least democratic countries in the world.

Except for all its neighbouring countries ....

[Datsun240Z]

one thing i don't understand,a person is crossing borders and countries every now and then,how come there are no records in immigration?even if he is flying by private plane still he has to cross immigration, there has to be some records of the plane atleast.also should have some records form hotels and places he stayed.

answer: $

[timekeeper]

Well, he is in self-imposed exile from one of the least democratic countries in the world.

give it a break Scott, try to be moderate in your moderation...

[Insight]

It is ironic maybe thsat such a fighter for people's rights and emocracy as Mr. Thaksin ends up in some of the least democratic countries in the world.

Wonder if the DPRK is on his agenda? They'd probably appreciate the cash