Fugitive Thaksin Seeks Safety From Extradition In Fiji

[sriracha john]

Wanted Thai ex-PM visits Suva to meet regime

Reports from Fiji say the ousted Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in Fiji amid speculation that he is seeking safety in a country with no extradition treaty with Thailand.

The former Thai politician, whose Thai passport has been cancelled, is wanted in Bangkok to answer corruption charges.

Pacnews says he met the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, on Monday after arriving in his private jet from Dubai via Malaysia where, according to the Bangkok Post, he narrowly escaped arrest.

Thaksin reportedly spent a day in Suva before flying to Tonga yesterday.

There has been no comment from Fiji’s interim government about the outcome of the talks.

Pacnews says there has been a suggestion that Thaksin may have offered a substantial investment in return for a right to add Fiji to the places he can stay.

- Radio New Zealand / 2009-07-08

[sriracha john]

Ousted Thai PM visits Fiji

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is reportedly eyeing Fiji as one of several potential asylum destinations.

Pacnews news service has reported that sources have said Thaksin and his entourage arrived in Fiji on a private jet on Monday.

Thaksin is wanted in Thailand to answer corruption charges.

He reportedly met with Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama as well as other local government officials including investment authorities.

Details of the talks were not disclosed.

According to Pacnews, Thaksin departed aboard his private plane from his temporary base of Dubai and stopped for refuelling in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, before arriving in Fiji.

He stayed overnight in Fiji and departed for Tonga on Tuesday.

- ABC News (Australia) / 2009-07-08

[sriracha john]

He reportedly met with Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama

Fijian Strongman Frank Bainimarama

Fijian Navy Commodore and Commander of the Fijian Military Forces.

He has also been interim Prime Minister of Fiji since January 5, 2007.

He has overthrown the civilian Fijian government twice; in 2000 and again in 2006.

The media has dubbed Fiji a "Bainimarama republic", a play on banana republic.

Edited July 8, 2009 by sriracha john

[mahtin]

Maybe Mr. T wants to buy a rugby team

[dee123]

Thaksin is cosying up to a regime similar to one that removed him,...most strange!!

[sriracha john]

[already posted in another thread]

Edited July 9, 2009 by sabaijai

[dee123]

Fijians make good currys.

[Maestro]

A nonsensical post referring to a non-existing person has been removed.

--

Maestro

[sriracha john]

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.

Thaksin used an assumed name to enter Fiji, although his true identity was known to the authorities, who approved his visit in advance.

So he's traveling around in his own private jet and he's not using his real name when he travels... that clears up a number of previously uncertain issues.

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

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.

These are the four previously unnamed countries that Noppadon classified in earlier reports as Thaksin meeting with "four world leaders".... :D

but perhaps he meant fourth world leaders...

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

See ya back in Thailand in 2014...

Edited July 8, 2009 by sriracha john

[Harcourt]

Being completely apolitical, I wonder if Mr Thaksin would like me to work for him. I speak Fijian but I do not look at all like a native Fijian....could be useful to him to have someone on his staff that knows the language and local mentality, customs etc.

I just want a well paid job!

Yes, Fiji curries are great!

[torrenova]

Maybe the pressure should be put on Montenegro to cancel his passport and then work on any others he has. Once out of passports, surely he cannot run ?

[BSJ]

Even fugitives need a spot of quiet time! Fiji would be as good a place as any. What's a bet he can wrangle his own private island.

[Harcourt]

Even fugitives need a spot of quiet time! Fiji would be as good a place as any. What's a bet he can wrangle his own private island.

Bet he can't....not with the government's help. Only 5% of the total land area is freehold and only freehold land can be bought or sold....so if there is a private island for sale, sure he can get it, otherwise not.

Hmmm...my family has 500 acres with private beachfront, freehold....need a buyer.

[sriracha john]

Ousted Thai PM eyes Fiji

The ousted Prime Minister of Thailand – Thaksin Sinawatra is eyeing Fiji as one of several potential asylum destinations it has emerged.

Pacnews reports Sinawatra and his entourage arrived in Fiji on a private jet on Monday this week and sources say he was accorded full VIP treatment.

The Thai politician who is wanted in his country to answer corruption charges – reportedly met Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as well as other local government officials which included investment authorities.

Details of those talks remained under wraps as Commodore Bainimarama left for neighboring Vanuatu after his meeting with Sinawatra for this week’s one day retreat of leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) whether the Thai leader offered an investment package to Fiji in return for being accorded a safe haven, it could not be established.

What could be determined however was the route he took from his temporary base in Dubai.

According to Pacnews his private plane stopped for refueling in Kuala Lumpur and Port Moresby before flying down south to Nadi’s international airport.

After his meetings here on Monday, Sinawatra spent the night at Suva’s luxurious Holiday Inn hotel before he flew off on Tuesday.

Overseas media reports are suggesting that Sinawatra is particularly looking for countries that do not have extradition treaties with Thailand.

Fiji and Tonga seemed to fit the bill.

Another media report said the Thai politician who is a billionaire in his own right was offering an investment package of US$280 million in return for being offered asylum.

Government spokesperson – Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni confirmed to FBCL News – Sinawara had visited the country and met with Bainimarama but what was discussed could not be revealed.

- Fiji Broadcasting Corporation / 2009-07-09

http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=21106

[sriracha john]

After his meetings here on Monday, Sinawatra spent the night at Suva’s luxurious Holiday Inn hotel before he flew off on Tuesday.

"Luxurious"?? The Holiday Inn???

Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Suva

They should ask up front to see his supposed 8 Billion Baht he plans to use there. Just how sure are they he has it?

Especially after reports of his intending to buy up Liberian diamond mines, various Nicaraguan investments, and sinking Montenegrin islands...

btw, its interesting how the Fijians are spelling his surname.

Edited July 8, 2009 by sriracha john

[alleykat]

If I remember correctly, Fiji is one of the few places in the work that Thai nationals can go to without any kind of visa.

[jonclark]

"....Details of those talks remained under wraps as Commodore Bainimarama left for neighboring Vanuatu after his meeting with Sinawatra for this week’s one day retreat of leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) whether the Thai leader offered an investment package to Fiji in return for being accorded a safe haven, it could not be established...."

investment package - now there's diplomatic speak for ..... if I give you lots of money can I stay here. Lets just hope the Fijians don't do a Thailand.

Set the Rules

Take the money

Change the rules

Tell the investor to leave

[sriracha john]

Ex-Thai PM 'seeking asylum in Pacific'

A billionaire politician facing arrest in his Thai homeland is in the South Pacific looking for a safe asylum, the regional Pacnews agency reports.

Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is believed to be in Tonga after beginning the week in Fiji.

He flew into Nadi on Monday aboard his private Learjet and according to Pacnews he met Fijian dictator Voreqe Bainimarama.

Unsourced Fiji media reports say the Thai politician, a billionaire in his own right, was offering an investment package of US$280 million in return for being offered asylum.

All Fiji media are subjected to tight military censorship so reports of possible investment would have been approved.

Thaksin is said to be looking for a country that has no extradition treaty with Thailand where he is wanted to answer corruption charges.

Pacnews said he stayed a night at Suva’s Holiday Inn and then flew onto Tonga. Thaksin became Thai prime minister when his Thai Rak Thai party won the elections in 2001.

After winning re-election in the 2005 general elections, he however was ousted in a coup in September 2006, just three months ahead of Bainimarama staging his own coup in Fiji.

He returned to Bangkok in 2008 but couldn’t return home following an overseas tour months later after he was tried in absentia and sentenced to two years in jail.

He has been looking for a safe haven since then using Dubai as a temporary base and is travelling on a Montenegro passport.

According to the Bangkok Post Thaksin flew from Dubai to Malaysia last weekend and narrowly escaped arrest.

He then flew to Fiji via Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Several major investments appear available short term in Fiji, including the failed Bridgecorp Momi Bay Resort which is being auctioned off.

- Stuff.co.nz / 2009-07-09

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2578471/Ex-Th...ylum-in-Pacific

[sriracha john]

Tonga confirms Thaksin’s Nuku’alofa visit

Tonga’s Prime Minister’s office has confirmed the ousted Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in the country this week.

A government spokesman in Nuku’alofa says his visit was privately arranged and included no meetings with officials.

Thaksin was reportedly in Fiji earlier this week, amid speculation that he is seeking safety in a country with no extradition treaty with Thailand.

The former Thai politician, whose Thai passport has been cancelled, is wanted in Bangkok to answer corruption charges.

On his way to Fiji, he narrowly escaped arrest in Malaysia during a refuelling stop of his private jet.

Thaksin reportedly spent a day in Suva to meet the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a coup, purportedly to stop corruption.

- Radio New Zealand / 2009-07-09

[webfact]

After his meetings here on Monday, Sinawatra spent the night at Suva’s luxurious Holiday Inn hotel before he flew off on Tuesday.

"Luxurious"?? The Holiday Inn???

Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Suva

They should ask up front to see his supposed 8 Billion Baht he plans to use there. Just how sure are they he has it?

Especially after reports of his intending to buy up Liberian diamond mines, various Nicaraguan investments, and sinking Montenegrin islands...

btw, its interesting how the Fijians are spelling his surname.

I am always reading from all the billions and gazillions of $ he seems to have... but according to this article he isn't that rich as he always tries to pretend

BANGKOK (AFP) — Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a former telecoms tycoon, has fallen from grace and is no longer counted among Thailand's billionaires since the military froze his assets following last year's coup, Forbes said Friday.

Thaksin, once Thailand's fourth richest business man with a fortune worth 2.2 billion dollars, is now thought to be worth around 300 million dollars, the US magazine said.

The self-made tycoon "fell from the billionaire perch after facing frozen assets, multi-million dollar fines and other court decisions against his family," Forbes said.

The military, which overthrew Thaksin in a coup in September 2006, froze at least 1.52 billion dollars of assets belonging to him ...

source: BNET

/edit: typing error

Edited July 9, 2009 by webfact

[sriracha john]

Overseas media reports are suggesting that Sinawatra is particularly looking for countries that do not have extradition treaties with Thailand.

Fiji and Tonga seemed to fit the bill.

Another media report said the Thai politician who is a billionaire in his own right was offering an investment package of US$280 million in return for being offered asylum.

With US$280 million at stake, it's easy to see why they would be interested... it's way more than the entire New Zealand government contributes (NZ$16 million)...

NZ raises Tongan aid budget to $18m

New Zealand will increase its aid to Tonga from $12 million to $18 million by 2011.

The extra money will be directed partly toward helping the private sector develop the tourism trade. Prime Minister John Key announced the funding boost yesterday during his first visit to the Pacific island.

Aid to Tonga will total $16 million this year and next year, and will rise again to $18 million in 2011. Part of the money will be used for a civic education programme as Tonga introduces a new electoral system under its democracy reforms - an urgent process, as the country plans to hold elections under the new system next year.

- The New Zealand Herald / 2009-07-08

Edited July 9, 2009 by sriracha john

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Well if Toxin wants to learn about coups then Fiji is the place to go. They have coups regularly, don't need elections just have a coup.

[sriracha john]

With US$280 million at stake, it's easy to see why they would be interested... it's way more than the entire New Zealand government contributes (NZ$16 million)...

Even the entire GDP of Tonga in 2008 was less at US$258 million.

[stumonster]

but informed sources in Fiji say Thaksin is considering investing $300 million 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.

Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a coup, purportedly to stop corruption.

you do wonder if these self proclaimed leaders have the intelligence to notice the incongruities .

So he's traveling around in his own private jet and he's not using his real name when he travels... that clears up a number of previously uncertain issues.

what countries has he used this assumed identity in to transit and has he broken any laws ?

if he had kept quiet he probably would have been still free to travel anywhere except Thailand and even that he may have been able to negotiate - but add the ego and stir

[Thai at Heart]

but informed sources in Fiji say Thaksin is considering investing $300 million 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.

Commodore Bainimarama seized power in a coup, purportedly to stop corruption.

you do wonder if these self proclaimed leaders have the intelligence to notice the incongruities .

So he's traveling around in his own private jet and he's not using his real name when he travels... that clears up a number of previously uncertain issues.

what countries has he used this assumed identity in to transit and has he broken any laws ?

if he had kept quiet he probably would have been still free to travel anywhere except Thailand and even that he may have been able to negotiate - but add the ego and stir

I would believe that flying in a private plane around the world with a false passenger manifest would be a start for most immigration authorities.

I however, don't believe he has taken to using a false name, unless he has got some help from some important authorities. He is pretty recognisable, and immigration still has to stamp people in and out of most airports.

[Samuian]

Montenegro CC or CD Passport....or from Liberia, from who the heck cares, as long as he stays away?

Or may he be training with the commodore a coup de etat to rid thailand of the corrupt?

[Heng]

Awesome diving in Fiji. Wouldn't mind spending some more time there, but not in exile of course.

[Jingthing]

A dark day for Thai-Fijian relations!

I for one plan to boycott all Fijian products! Please remind me, what is it that Fiji makes?

Edited July 9, 2009 by Jingthing

[Heng]

I would believe that flying in a private plane around the world with a false passenger manifest would be a start for most immigration authorities.

I however, don't believe he has taken to using a false name, unless he has got some help from some important authorities. He is pretty recognisable, and immigration still has to stamp people in and out of most airports.

Well, I think it's an indicator that no major world gov't -not even Canada whose Bombardier knows at any given time where any of the 200+ planes of Thaksin's type are in the world- feels the need to assist the current Thai gov't (which likely isn't really trying to catch him either) in apprehending him.

Edited July 9, 2009 by Heng

[Thai at Heart]

I would believe that flying in a private plane around the world with a false passenger manifest would be a start for most immigration authorities.

I however, don't believe he has taken to using a false name, unless he has got some help from some important authorities. He is pretty recognisable, and immigration still has to stamp people in and out of most airports.

Well, I think it's an indicator that no major world gov't feels the need to assist the current Thai gov't (which likely isn't really trying to catch him either) in apprehending him.

Forget major govts. Even the minor one's don't appear to care either.

He was prime minister and ran a pretty decent sized organisation don't forget. If the conspiracy theorists are to be believed, he was also involved in a pretty major international company board before he became PM. He may be calling in a lot of favours, but I am sure he still has some in the bank.

He is out of reach for now, and I reckon a long long time.

Edited July 9, 2009 by Thai at Heart