Thai Government Seeking International Help In Capturing Thaksin

[hammered]

Still there are many Reds, who still believe The Times of London ganged up with the Dems and twisted Thaksins interview.

Well that's a change.The usual charge is that the international press (Economist, WSJ, Straits Times, FT etc) have been conned by Thaksin, and in some cases are in his pay or heavily influenced by his PR advisors.Ludicrous of course but peddled by many on the anti-Thaksin side.

As it happens the charge stated by Rideau is also absurd.

It was actually started by Jatuporn;)

[Rideau]

Well, have you read the Headline?

Phnom Penh refuses to receive Thai request to extradite Thaksin

I read the headline. And in the very next paragraph of the same article they state that they did receive it and that it's with the PM office for advice. It kind of makes a difference if they plainly told the embassy staff [not even the ambassador, who you'd think would be appropriate to handle delicate matters but who was called back in an unnecessary slap in the face.] where they could shove it, or that they received it and are processing it.

Cambodian Foreign Minister has officially declined Thailand request.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Cambodian Foreign Minister has officially declined Thailand request.

Source? Not doubting it; it was expected. (Though I just checked our favorite news source's website and it's still the same confused article that mentions they didn't accept the request in line one, and then in line two saying it was delivered and is being processed)

It would perhaps be a bit unexpected if they replied so soon; they could just let it run its course through the bureaucratic mill, then by the time it's due for a decision Thaksin is long back in Dubai. That'd be the typical face saving way to do it; maybe they're past that.

Edited November 11, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[rixalex]

Thailand has in the past refused such extradition requests from Cambodia.

Do you have any details?

[Samuian]

And what Thaksin FORGOT is very telling.

Does anyone have a direct quote of the statement, from media, spokesman or twitter?

Yes...

.....<---snip>

Thaksin said he had "made a mistake" in responding to a question

posed by the British journalist about the succession of the throne, adding that he had simply thought of the rule of succession in general, without thinking of His Majesty's health.

"I want to bang my head against the floor. I forgot that His Majesty was in hospital," he said during a broadcast from Cambodia. "I pray for the King to recover quickly from his illness and remain the guiding light for Thai people for a long time to come."

<---snip>

-- The Nation 11.November, 2009

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[TAWP]

Samuian>> Direct quote, i.e. in Thai, from his own mouth or PR people. Or a news-broadcast with him saying this etc.

I just wanna be sure of the exact wording.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Thailand has in the past refused such extradition requests from Cambodia.

Do you have any details?

Sure.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-dissolve-house

" Gen Chavalit, however, cited a case in which Thailand turned down Cambodia's request to extradite Sok Yoeun, who was wanted for the alleged attempted assassination of Hun Sen in 1998. "

Also note that this apparenlty was someone accused of attempted murder on the PM of a country.. You'd think that'd be a bigger issue than someone wanted for a conflict of interest when his wife bought a nice plot of land, which actually nobody bothered to confiscate from her or follow up on. (This was Thaksin's Big Crime, to be married to a person buying land while being PM. )

Except of course in Democrat Thailand.

Edited November 11, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[tmark]

Thailand was never colonized by Europeans right? Are other nations (in Asia or wherever) that WERE colonized and introduced to democratic government having so many problems? Coup after coup etc etc.

Just wondering .. maybe the answer to all of Thailand's problems would be .. to be invaded. Teach 'em the ropes for 100 years and then hand over the reigns.

EDIT .. Just a "Brain Fart" .. not to be taken seriously

now that is worth a smile, intended or not

Your a simple man and easily entertained .. I envy you.

[Rideau]

Cambodian Foreign Minister has officially declined Thailand request.

Source? Not doubting it; it was expected. (Though I just checked our favorite news source's website and it's still the same confused article that mentions they didn't accept the request in line one, and then in line two saying it was delivered and is being processed)

It would perhaps be a bit unexpected if they replied so soon; they could just let it run its course through the bureaucratic mill, then by the time it's due for a decision Thaksin is long back in Dubai. That'd be the typical face saving way to do it; maybe they're past that.

Hi WinnieTheKhwai

To you, it's a bit unexpected.

"Our diplomatic note answering them is nothing beyond rejecting the extradition request," Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told AFP shortly before the exchange of letters.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews...111-179246.html

Keep on defending Thaksin...

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Thank you for coming up with the source. ( It saves time when you include the source.)

"Unexpected" as by Asian Politics standards; they typically save so much face they've got whole face mountains out the back after a conference. To reject it quickly means they're not interested in being nice. That I find noteworthy. (Better word than unexpected)

Keep on defending Thaksin...

Sigh.. one more with this complete focus on Thaksin.. Do I have to add a disclaimer in every post that I don't care much about Thaksin the person, but more about issues relating to freedom, development, justice, corruption and so on? Thaksin wouldn't know how to spell half of those.

Edited November 11, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Loz]

Not that it matters really I suppose but the breaking news title, isn't it a little misleading?

I didn't think Interpol had powers of arrest per se. That may have changed, but I think their role is an investigative one. It's the local bobbys that get to slap the cuffs on.

Sorry if this is too pedantic.

[brahmburgers]

Is the million baht reward (for T's capture) still on offer?

Not too hard to imagine a long line of samlors spilling over with daring Thais, all heading for T's protected compound, each hoping to be the crafty one to haul him in and claim the reward.

[Grey11]

Why don't they just put a bounty on his head? .. 50,000,000 Baht?

.. surely some Arnold, Sean, Sylvester, Jean Claude type out there could drag him in squealing. He's in a great spot (Cambo) ... could smuggle him in overland .. or maybe if they managed to man handle him all the way to the Thai border .... would the Border officials co-operate and let them bring him in?

Typical cowboy mindset! Hey, grow up! This is the 21st century!You have been on a diet of too many Westerns!

Israel continues to assassinate its enemies all over the world. Calling an Israeli a "cowboy?!" what a laugh. No horses on Wall St., the rest of NYC or Washington,

D.C. Certainly no Israeli is a "cowboy" are ever been close to the Wild West except producing the films in Hollywood. I go with Israel on this one - hire a sniper to go into Cambodia and take care of this egotistical maniac once and for all. And, 21st centrury or not there are assassinations all around the world!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Is the million baht reward (for T's capture) still on offer?

As an aside, is there a source for the reward thing? (Earlier I filed this one away with the posts about sniper rifles and invading Cambodia, but is this one genuine?

Edited November 11, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[TAWP]

Thailand has in the past refused such extradition requests from Cambodia.

Do you have any details?

Sure.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-dissolve-house

" Gen Chavalit, however, cited a case in which Thailand turned down Cambodia's request to extradite Sok Yoeun, who was wanted for the alleged attempted assassination of Hun Sen in 1998. "

Also note that this apparenlty was someone accused of attempted murder on the PM of a country.. You'd think that'd be a bigger issue than someone wanted for a conflict of interest when his wife bought a nice plot of land, which actually nobody bothered to confiscate from her or follow up on. (This was Thaksin's Big Crime, to be married to a person buying land while being PM. )

Except of course in Democrat Thailand.

You are such a Thaksin apologist. No, his crime was NOT that he was married to someone that bought land, his crime was that he KNOWINGLY went against the clear rules regarding land-purchase and his involvement in it, including signing the documents!

You are pretending he had no choice but to sign. I know his [former] wife is big in shape, but I think he could have refused and lived if he wanted to...

And you are again misrepresenting the facts, it wasn't the case of not confiscating the land back as per the authority of the court they only had jurisdiction over his transgression as a PM, not his wife's dealings in the matter. Hence why she wasn't convicted nor sentenced in this case.

[tmark]

Why don't they just put a bounty on his head? .. 50,000,000 Baht?

.. surely some Arnold, Sean, Sylvester, Jean Claude type out there could drag him in squealing. He's in a great spot (Cambo) ... could smuggle him in overland .. or maybe if they managed to man handle him all the way to the Thai border .... would the Border officials co-operate and let them bring him in?

Typical cowboy mindset! Hey, grow up! This is the 21st century!You have been on a diet of too many Westerns!

Westerns!! . I hate 'em. I can't see where I mentioned John Wayne and Roy Rogers above. When was the last time you saw Arnold Swartzenegger in a western? Yippee Kay Ay !

[rixalex]

" Gen Chavalit, however, cited a case in which Thailand turned down Cambodia's request to extradite Sok Yoeun, who was wanted for the alleged attempted assassination of Hun Sen in 1998. "

Also note that this apparenlty was someone accused of attempted murder on the PM of a country.. You'd think that'd be a bigger issue than someone wanted for a conflict of interest when his wife bought a nice plot of land, which actually nobody bothered to confiscate from her or follow up on. (This was Thaksin's Big Crime, to be married to a person buying land while being PM. )

Except of course in Democrat Thailand.

Sok Yoeun was held in a Thai prison for more than four years whilst the case for his extradition went through the Thai legal system. Yoeun lost his appeal against extradition in the Thai courts and it was only the intervention of the High Commissioner that prevented his extradition.

Not a great comparison to the case with Thaksin is it, unless anyone is suggesting that Cambodia is willing to keep our square-faced friend behind bars for the next four years before handing him over?

[hammered]

" Gen Chavalit, however, cited a case in which Thailand turned down Cambodia's request to extradite Sok Yoeun, who was wanted for the alleged attempted assassination of Hun Sen in 1998. "

Also note that this apparenlty was someone accused of attempted murder on the PM of a country.. You'd think that'd be a bigger issue than someone wanted for a conflict of interest when his wife bought a nice plot of land, which actually nobody bothered to confiscate from her or follow up on. (This was Thaksin's Big Crime, to be married to a person buying land while being PM. )

Except of course in Democrat Thailand.

Sok Yoeun was held in a Thai prison for more than four years whilst the case for his extradition went through the Thai legal system. Yoeun lost his appeal against extradition in the Thai courts and it was only the intervention of the High Commissioner that prevented his extradition.

Not a great comparison to the case with Thaksin is it, unless anyone is suggesting that Cambodia is willing to keep our square-faced friend behind bars for the next four years before handing him over?

Clearly Cambodia dont worry about all those legal niceties they just say no. Very confrontational and lets await Thailand's response. They cant do nothing but need to make sure it is seen as balanced

[caf]

Not that it matters really I suppose but the breaking news title, isn't it a little misleading?

I didn't think Interpol had powers of arrest per se. That may have changed, but I think their role is an investigative one. It's the local bobbys that get to slap the cuffs on.

Sorry if this is too pedantic.

You are absolutely right ( see my post 235)

but despite the title of the thread the usual people go off topic to wage the old hobby horse. - never let facts get in the way of a discussion

[WinnieTheKhwai]

You are such a Thaksin apologist. No, his crime was NOT that he was married to someone that bought land, his crime was that he KNOWINGLY went against the clear rules regarding land-purchase and his involvement in it, including signing the documents!

You are pretending he had no choice but to sign. I know his [former] wife is big in shape, but I think he could have refused and lived if he wanted to...

And you are again misrepresenting the facts, it wasn't the case of not confiscating the land back as per the authority of the court they only had jurisdiction over his transgression as a PM, not his wife's dealings in the matter. Hence why she wasn't convicted nor sentenced in this case.

That makes sense. I think I cut a few corners in that in-between sentence, the above seems a lot more accurate.

( The point I was making however is that the above is not exactly a life or death matter, as opposed to trying to kill the head of government of a neighbouring country. I don't think anyone is under any doubt that Thaksin is of the ilk of Berlusconi and Putin and all those, possibly Chaves. All people I really wouldn't vote for.

Sok Yoeun was held in a Thai prison for more than four years whilst the case for his extradition went through the Thai legal system. Yoeun lost his appeal against extradition in the Thai courts and it was only the intervention of the High Commissioner that prevented his extradition.

Going back to my earlier M&M request metaphor.. The end result is that my daughter didn't get the M&Ms she wanted, even though I didn't make a legal & bureaucratic show about it.

Edited November 11, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[TAWP]

Agreed, the case might appear petty compared to other crimes he or other statesmen has done. No objection there. And I also think everyone deserve their day in court and welcome him back to stand the trials for his other crimes. And when all is said and done we can see what we have.

[webfact]

Cambodia rejects Thailand's Thaksin extradition request

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - Cambodia has rejected Thailand's request to extradite convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wimol Kidchob said on Wednesday.

Speaking in a telephone interview to TV Channel 9 news programme, the foreign ministry spokeswoman explained the latest developments in the diplomatic stand-off between Thailand and Cambodia.

Ms Wimol said the ministry has received a copy of the official letter from Cambodia, but declined to disclose its details.

"The ministry's legal team will thoroughly examine the wording and reasons provided in the document in Cambodia's denial of our request before considering any further move," said the foreign ministry spokesperson.

Thai diplomats handed over the extradition papers to officials at Cambodia's foreign affairs ministry early Wednesday but were then handed back a note from the Cambodian government rejecting the request.

The French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong as saying "Our diplomatic note answering them is nothing beyond rejecting the extradition request.

"Thaksin's conviction (was) caused by the coup in September 2006, when he was the prime minister of Thailand whom Thai people voted in with an overwhelming majority in accordance with democracy," the Cambodian foreign minister was quoted as saying.

The convicted ex-Thai premier arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday for a lecture to over 300 Cambodian economists on Thursday as his first assignment after being appointed as economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Thailand's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Panich Vikitsreth said earlier that the ministry has submitted an official letter asking Cambodia to temporarily detain Mr Thaksin and then extradite him to Thailand under the extradition treaty between the two countries.

The vice foreign minister reasserted that Thailand may consider to further downgrade relations between the two neighbouring countries if Cambodia allows the fugitive Thai premier now staying there to speak or give any advice that is deemed to damage Thailand or insult important Thai figures.

Deputy Thai Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban conceded that Cambodia cannot be forced to extradite the ousted premier as requested by the Thai authorities, but further attempts will be made through diplomatic channels to return the former premier to Thailand.

The deputy Thai premier brushed aside Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's remarks challenging Thailand to close the border, repeating Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's statement that the peoples along the borders must be able to lead their lives normally, while national sovereignty must not be violated. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[helvetian]

I heard Abhisit will try to counter Thaksin's move by appointing Madoff as his financial advisor.

Mad off is in chokey is he not? I would look to Switzerland for a financial advisor. More than enough crooks in that part of the financial world to choose from as many HiSo Thais are well aware..

I think you missed the joke

[helvetian]

The praise for Obama has been overwhelming on ThaiVisa. Obama is a man, not a God. I simply voiced a different opinion. Irrelevant? Yes. But, it seems that no matter what the topic Europeans have to bring in their praise for Obama and hatred for Bush and he rest of the U.S. It gets damned old!

The hate for Thaksin is getting old too, don't you agree? Or is that different from the hate for Bush. Taking into consideration that Bush did a lot more bad to the world than Thaksin.

[Jimjim]

Amazing Thailand. Amazing Thailand.

[rixalex]

Sok Yoeun was held in a Thai prison for more than four years whilst the case for his extradition went through the Thai legal system. Yoeun lost his appeal against extradition in the Thai courts and it was only the intervention of the High Commissioner that prevented his extradition.

Going back to my earlier M&M request metaphor.. The end result is that my daughter didn't get the M&Ms she wanted, even though I didn't make a legal & bureaucratic show about it.

Nonsensical metaphor.

You suggested it was no biggie that Cambodia is turning down Thailand's request because Thailand has done the same to Cambodia. But the case that you mentioned Thailand locked the person in question up for four years. This showed they took the request seriously and with respect. Hun Sen on the other hand is treating it all as a joke and a game.

[hammered]

Sok Yoeun was held in a Thai prison for more than four years whilst the case for his extradition went through the Thai legal system. Yoeun lost his appeal against extradition in the Thai courts and it was only the intervention of the High Commissioner that prevented his extradition.

Going back to my earlier M&M request metaphor.. The end result is that my daughter didn't get the M&Ms she wanted, even though I didn't make a legal & bureaucratic show about it.

Nonsensical metaphor.

You suggested it was no biggie that Cambodia is turning down Thailand's request because Thailand has done the same to Cambodia. But the case that you mentioned Thailand locked the person in question up for four years. This showed they took the request seriously and with respect. Hun Sen on the other hand is treating it all as a joke and a game.

That is true. The Cambodians should have allowed the process to take its legal course. However, on the political front there are time constraints and this is a political game. Hun Sen also decides on the outcome of court cases too we can fairly assume, so int way it is honest even if it is not playing by diplomatic rules. Then again offering a governmental job to a neighbours ex-politician convicted of a crime is also way beyond normal diplomatic protocol. Hun Sen is looking to make problems. While the Thais are number one enemy his relations with the Vietnamese who are usually equally or more depsised by Cambodians goes unnoticed and what was supplied by the Thais once can now be supplied by his good buddies in Vietnam that he still owes big time. There is more to this than just Thaksin and Thailand. Hun Sen has his own game.

[helvetian]

I think Cambodia let the legal process take its course. The difference was just that the legal process for Cambodia took 1 day, where as the legal process for Thailand took 4 years.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Nonsensical metaphor.

You suggested it was no biggie that Cambodia is turning down Thailand's request because Thailand has done the same to Cambodia.

No, I made this comment because some people here (not you) thought that the rejection of an extradition request should be taken as a declaration of war. It simply isn't. Sometimes extradition requests are refused even between otherwise very good friends and allies. It's a request, it can be processed, and then approved or denied.

But the case that you mentioned Thailand locked the person in question up for four years. This showed they took the request seriously and with respect. Hun Sen on the other hand is treating it all as a joke and a game.

That's true. You can't compare both cases very well obviously; other than for the concept that extradition requests are sometimes denied. Seeing that Thaksin was an official guest of the PM of Cambodia, I'm not sure why the Thai foreign ministry was holding its breath on this.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think Cambodia let the legal process take its course. The difference was just that the legal process for Cambodia took 1 day, where as the legal process for Thailand took 4 years.

Anyone want to go to war with Cambodia for being much more efficient?

(Don't answer that. )