Thaksin - Will Interpol Act?

[webfact]

Will Interpol act?

By THE NATION

Published on May 27, 2010

Getting assistance from Interpol to bring fugitive former-PM Thaksin Shinawatra back to face justice in his homeland was no easy task, Thai police said yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- They said their counterparts in member countries of the international police network may not act on the terrorism charge against the ousted prime minister if they feel it was politically motivated.

Thai police failed in previous attempts to have Thaksin placed on Interpol's wanted list despite a top court sentencing him to two years jail over the Ratchadaphisek land deal.

Interpol considered the case to be politically motivated, said Police Maj-General Therdsak Rujirawong, commander of the Royal Thai Police's International Affairs Division.

The Criminal Court yesterday issued a warrant for Thaksin on a terrorism charge following claims he masterminded rioting and arson attacks during and after the red shirts' bloody protest.

Thaksin, in self-imposed exile abroad, is wanted in Bangkok in connection with many cases of corruption and abuse of power after a military coup toppled him from the premiership on September 19, 2006. This latest charge of terrorism is the fifth warrant for his arrest.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tharit Pengdit has overseen the terrorism case against Thaksin. He said he would seek cooperation from the police in submitting the latest charge to Interpol.

The DSI will use the agency to try to get the fugitive ex-PM extradited from any foreign country he lives in, he said. In countries that have no extradition treaty with Thailand, the DSI will seek assistance from Interpol to bring Thaksin back to face justice here.

Interpol offers some hope for the Thai government to nab Thaksin after it failed many times to do this since his political party lost power in December 2008.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Thaksin has spent most of his time in exile, has no extradition treaty with Thailand, and the practice of reciprocity in exchanging Thaksin for another suspect wanted by the UAE has yet to work either.

Cambodia, where Thaksin is an adviser to the government, also rejected a Thai extradition request when he visited Phnom Penh last year.

The fact Thaksin now holds Montenegrin citizenship and constantly travels makes an extradition request more complicated. Tharit said the government had sought Thaksin's extradition on the grounds he was a Thai national.

Interpol is an international police organisation created in 1923 to facilitate cross-border police cooperation and assist other organisations, authorities and services. Its mission is to prevent and combat international crime.

Thailand is among 188 member countries of Interpol and has played an active role in helping its foreign counterparts solve many criminal cases.

Thai authorities have so far put two suspects facing arrest warrants from a Thai court on Interpol's wanted list, as seen on the agency's official website.

The Nation yesterday searched Interpol's website for a Thai fugitive named Thaksin Shinawatra, but none was listed - just yet.

Therdsak explained that Thaksin's arrest warrant for corruption could not be placed on Interpol's wanted or notice list, because the organisation did not intervene in domestic political affairs.

In fact, corruption is not on Interpol's list of offences, which range from abducted girls to war crimes.

Interpol recognises terrorism charges, but member countries' definitions of a "terrorist act" differ, Therdsak said.

The police would submit Thaksin's arrest warrant to Interpol once they received full official documents from the court, he said.

"Of course we'll send the warrant to the Paris headquarters, but we can only wait for Interpol's decision about whether to include the fugitive on any lists," Therdsak said.

Once Interpol accepts a warrant, it enters the fugitive's name and profile into its computer system for distribution to member countries, so they can help watch for and arrest him, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[brahmburgers]

To Thailand's current government:

be careful of what you wish for, you may get it.

[chadintheusa]

It's a shame that interpol and other foreign governments have ignored requests to extradite Thaksin and have even aided his fugitive lifestyle. Countries like France and Montenegro that knowingly allow Thaksin on their soil are no better than Afghanistan and are harboring a terrorist leader. Thaksin has the right to defend himself in court and respond to the evidence against him and interpol ought to help him do that.

If Thaksin had committed terrorism against the USA it is likely that they would hunt him and kill him regardless of which country he fled to, I guess he's lucky to be Thai, or Montenegrian, or whatever he claims to be at the moment.

Edited May 27, 2010 by chadintheusa

[tonywebster]

It's a shame that interpol and other foreign governments have ignored requests to extradite Thaksin and have even aided his fugitive lifestyle. Countries like France and Montenegro that knowingly allow Thaksin on their soil are no better than Afghanistan and are harboring a terrorist leader. Thaksin has the right to defend himself in court and respond to the evidence against him and interpol ought to help him do that.

Get real, just because Thailand calls him a terrorist that does not mean he is one, no charges have even actually been laid against him yet for this. Also in other countries (where they actually have a judiciary that is not controlled by the government) they will consider the evidence, they will then see this as politically motivated and just dismiss it out of hand, just like they do with every request kasit has ever made.

In the grand scheme of things Thailand means sod all to the world at large and any ammount of whinging, crying or threats from Thailand will quite rightly be laughed off. This will go nowhere, he will continue his jaunts, next election is party will win, they will gain control of the judiciary and Thaksin will be back.

Oh and as for the requests to extradite him, it takes more than some somchai sitting in an embassy somewhere to call his counterpart and ask that they extradite him (as happened in Sweden), it takes the correct papers, it takes hearings in that country to see if there is evidence, and most importantly if there is a chance of him getting the death penalty he will stay where he is, and since Thailand has already said this allegation (not charge as he has not been charged) carries the death penalty I doubt any country with extradite him.

Thailand needs to realise that the rest of the world does not operate like a kindergarten wwhere people can be bullied into doing things or saying things.

Edited May 27, 2010 by tonywebster

[Naam]

To Thailand's current government: be careful of what you wish for, you may get it.

unfortunately the chances are very slim to "get" him. money talks, bullshit walks.

[LuckyLew]

It's a shame that interpol and other foreign governments have ignored requests to extradite Thaksin and have even aided his fugitive lifestyle. Countries like France and Montenegro that knowingly allow Thaksin on their soil are no better than Afghanistan and are harboring a terrorist leader. Thaksin has the right to defend himself in court and respond to the evidence against him and interpol ought to help him do that.

Yes he has a right to defend himself in a court of law

but he choose not to defend himself and fled.

I do not think many countries will assist in arresting Thaksin,

no matter what charges he faces in Thailand. IMO Thailand

should make it harder for their citizens to visit and enjoy Thailand

as long as Thaksin is using their countries as a base/hub/hideaway

Do onto one as what is done onto you

[Nowhereman60]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist because he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

Edited May 27, 2010 by Nowhereman60

[SomTumTiger]

They don't want him back - of course. But they do want to corner him and bottle him up perhaps. He has less legitimacy if he is 'decrying" the government from Darfur, Chad, Fiji, etc.

[rubl]

- some deleted -

Thailand needs to realise that the rest of the world does not operate like a kindergarten where people can be bullied into doing things or saying things.

You forgot about the Peoples Republic of North Korea, methinks

[rubl]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist become he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

Making speeches is not the reason for charging him, it's the contents of those speeches.

[Bakseedaa]

It's a shame that interpol and other foreign governments have ignored requests to extradite Thaksin and have even aided his fugitive lifestyle. Countries like France and Montenegro that knowingly allow Thaksin on their soil are no better than Afghanistan and are harboring a terrorist leader. Thaksin has the right to defend himself in court and respond to the evidence against him and interpol ought to help him do that.

Get real, just because Thailand calls him a terrorist that does not mean he is one, no charges have even actually been laid against him yet for this. Also in other countries (where they actually have a judiciary that is not controlled by the government) they will consider the evidence, they will then see this as politically motivated and just dismiss it out of hand, just like they do with every request kasit has ever made.

In the grand scheme of things Thailand means sod all to the world at large and any ammount of whinging, crying or threats from Thailand will quite rightly be laughed off. This will go nowhere, he will continue his jaunts, next election is party will win, they will gain control of the judiciary and Thaksin will be back.

Oh and as for the requests to extradite him, it takes more than some somchai sitting in an embassy somewhere to call his counterpart and ask that they extradite him (as happened in Sweden), it takes the correct papers, it takes hearings in that country to see if there is evidence, and most importantly if there is a chance of him getting the death penalty he will stay where he is, and since Thailand has already said this allegation (not charge as he has not been charged) carries the death penalty I doubt any country with extradite him.

Thailand needs to realise that the rest of the world does not operate like a kindergarten wwhere people can be bullied into doing things or saying things.

Everyone and their Dogs know Thaksin is guilty of funding that terrorist organisation called UDD... He should be brought home to face his accusers, and if he thinks he is innocent, why does he not come to face them. And serve the 2 years already hanging over him.. His ex-wife and his children should also be on that list as they helped to organise the moneys...

And I don`t know where you get facts that lead you to believe UDD would ever win an election in Thailand, it seems if we are to believe the pollsters, that their popularity has slumped to an all time low of around 18%.. And I`m sure when all the facts come out and the captured Red Shirt Leaders "spill the Beans" that figure will drop even further.. And from what I hear through my limited grapevine, they are spilling "Lots" of beans.....

[Nowhereman60]

So what did he say or do Rubi? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did. It's been a year and a half and what happen to the charges against the yellow shirt leaders??????? But in a week Thanksin is charged. How do think the Red Shirts feel about this. And they say it's not politically motivated. BS

Edited May 27, 2010 by Nowhereman60

[Bakseedaa]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist become he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

No, but funding a terrorist Organisation and ordering them to commit treason certainly is .............. And what leads you to believe Thailand is a laughing stock... Thailand has just been invited to join The worlds leading Human Rights Organisation ... so, who is laughing. Mr Abhisit did a great job with the UDD, most other countries would have gone in much earlier and caused considerable more deaths... He has been applauded by many world leaders including Obama...I think President Obamas opinion is much more important than any Red Shirt Apologists writing rubbish on TV... Did you not see the burning buildings in this beautiful city ?

[whybother]

So what did he say or do Rubi? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did. It's been a year and a half and what happen to the charges against the yellow shirt leaders??????? But in a week Thanksin is charged. How do think the Red Shirts feel about this. And they say it's not politically motivated. BS

Although it would be good for all of us to see the evidence so we can make a truly informed opinion, where in the world do prosecuters show the general public all the evidence (besides any jury and anyone that can be bothered sitting through the court case).

[tonywebster]

It's a shame that interpol and other foreign governments have ignored requests to extradite Thaksin and have even aided his fugitive lifestyle. Countries like France and Montenegro that knowingly allow Thaksin on their soil are no better than Afghanistan and are harboring a terrorist leader. Thaksin has the right to defend himself in court and respond to the evidence against him and interpol ought to help him do that.

Get real, just because Thailand calls him a terrorist that does not mean he is one, no charges have even actually been laid against him yet for this. Also in other countries (where they actually have a judiciary that is not controlled by the government) they will consider the evidence, they will then see this as politically motivated and just dismiss it out of hand, just like they do with every request kasit has ever made.

In the grand scheme of things Thailand means sod all to the world at large and any ammount of whinging, crying or threats from Thailand will quite rightly be laughed off. This will go nowhere, he will continue his jaunts, next election is party will win, they will gain control of the judiciary and Thaksin will be back.

Oh and as for the requests to extradite him, it takes more than some somchai sitting in an embassy somewhere to call his counterpart and ask that they extradite him (as happened in Sweden), it takes the correct papers, it takes hearings in that country to see if there is evidence, and most importantly if there is a chance of him getting the death penalty he will stay where he is, and since Thailand has already said this allegation (not charge as he has not been charged) carries the death penalty I doubt any country with extradite him.

Thailand needs to realise that the rest of the world does not operate like a kindergarten wwhere people can be bullied into doing things or saying things.

Everyone and their Dogs know Thaksin is guilty of funding that terrorist organisation called UDD... He should be brought home to face his accusers, and if he thinks he is innocent, why does he not come to face them. And serve the 2 years already hanging over him.. His ex-wife and his children should also be on that list as they helped to organise the moneys...

And I don`t know where you get facts that lead you to believe UDD would ever win an election in Thailand, it seems if we are to believe the pollsters, that their popularity has slumped to an all time low of around 18%.. And I`m sure when all the facts come out and the captured Red Shirt Leaders "spill the Beans" that figure will drop even further.. And from what I hear through my limited grapevine, they are spilling "Lots" of beans.....

Well Sherlock, it seems you have the case solved, maybe the government can just send your post to interpol and they are sure to act on it considering it is packed with evidence of wrongdoings.

[rubl]

So what did he say or do rubl? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did.

The Thai government showed the court sufficient indication for a arrest warrant, even though they had to came back one time to really satisfy the judges. Before you continue asking, no I have not been informed, I'm not on their mailing list. Information has been presented by government spokesmen to the international community and representatives of various countries. Whether that will be enough I don't know, this is a longer lasting story. Also remember the world has other things to laugh about, the stockmarket, N. Korea, economical crisis. More important to most. And yes, waiting for the world cup footbal in S-Africa.

All in perspective

[Nowhereman60]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist become he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

No, but funding a terrorist Organisation and ordering them to commit treason certainly is .............. And what leads you to believe Thailand is a laughing stock... Thailand has just been invited to join The worlds leading Human Rights Organisation ... so, who is laughing. Mr Abhisit did a great job with the UDD, most other countries would have gone in much earlier and caused considerable more deaths... He has been applauded by many world leaders including Obama...I think President Obamas opinion is much more important than any Red Shirt Apologists writing rubbish on TV... Did you not see the burning buildings in this beautiful city ?

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

[hawker9000]

Thaksin now sounds like a mission for Thai covert ops....

[whybother]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist become he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

No, but funding a terrorist Organisation and ordering them to commit treason certainly is .............. And what leads you to believe Thailand is a laughing stock... Thailand has just been invited to join The worlds leading Human Rights Organisation ... so, who is laughing. Mr Abhisit did a great job with the UDD, most other countries would have gone in much earlier and caused considerable more deaths... He has been applauded by many world leaders including Obama...I think President Obamas opinion is much more important than any Red Shirt Apologists writing rubbish on TV... Did you not see the burning buildings in this beautiful city ?

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

How many grenades did the yellow shirts have? How many police and soldiers were killed by the yellow shirts? How many by-standers were killed by the yellow shirts?

Occupying the airport was illegal, inconvenienced thousands of people, and was terrible for Thai tourism, but how is that terrorism?

And how many times do people have to be told!!! People HAVE BEEN charged for that.

Edited May 27, 2010 by whybother

[Samuian]

So what did he say or do Rubi? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did. It's been a year and a half and what happen to the charges against the yellow shirt leaders??????? But in a week Thanksin is charged. How do think the Red Shirts feel about this. And they say it's not politically motivated. BS

Well how about YOU presenting the EVIDENCE of his Innocence?

it's just the other way around- my dear!

If he really would be innocent, wouldn't he do anything to prove it, just to pull the carpet of this government - so

logical conclusion if he doesn't - he may not have this proof - if he cant come up with this proof - then

next logical conclusion would be: ?

So?

His latest Interview with NY-Times...

he makes another glitch whilst denying any involvement with the reds.. he then slips and goes:

“What’s wrong with that? Rallies have costs and we need donors.”

and this is on printed media....! his very own words...

he has a tendency to say the "truth" - unwillingly - tells a lot about this man!

Edited May 27, 2010 by Samuian

[rubl]

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

The yellow shirts are in a minor league. When they withdrew from the airport they even cleaned up, apologised for the inconvenience caused. They even forgot to torch the lot. Then the red-shirts, they've got it pat down. Shooting M79's at innocent bystanders, police and troops, sowing hatred through their Peoples TV, torching their home of two months, looting, etc.

The yellow leaders are charges, have acknowledged the charge, granted bail, still in Thailand. You may complain about their case progressing soo slowly. Still who has details on the police crackdown in June/July 2008 when yellow-shirt died from faulty teargas canisters? Where the PM and Minister of Interior charged (late K. Samak and K. Chalerm) ?

[tonywebster]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist become he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

No, but funding a terrorist Organisation and ordering them to commit treason certainly is .............. And what leads you to believe Thailand is a laughing stock... Thailand has just been invited to join The worlds leading Human Rights Organisation ... so, who is laughing. Mr Abhisit did a great job with the UDD, most other countries would have gone in much earlier and caused considerable more deaths... He has been applauded by many world leaders including Obama...I think President Obamas opinion is much more important than any Red Shirt Apologists writing rubbish on TV... Did you not see the burning buildings in this beautiful city ?

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

How many grenades did the yellow shirts have? How many police and soldiers were killed by the yellow shirts? How many by-standers were killed by the yellow shirts?

Occupying the airport was illegal, inconvenienced thousands of people, and was terrible for Thai tourism, but how is that terrorism?

Many police were injured, including stabbings at parliament, but we need to consider like for like, how many police or soldiers would have been injured if they tried to break up the protests?

As for the red shirts, how many police or soldiers were killed when they were not trying to break up the protest?

[whybother]

So what did he say or do Rubi? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did. It's been a year and a half and what happen to the charges against the yellow shirt leaders??????? But in a week Thanksin is charged. How do think the Red Shirts feel about this. And they say it's not politically motivated. BS

Well how about YOU presentingthe EVIDENCE of his Innocence?

it's just the other way around- my dear!

If he really would, would he do anything to prove it, just to pull the carpet of this government - so

logical conclusion if he doesn't - he may not have this proof - if he cant come up withis proof - then

next logical conclusion would be: ?

So?

His latst Interview with NY-Times...

he makes another glitch whilst denying any involvement with the reds.. he then slips and goes:

"What's wrong with that? Rallies have costs and we need donors."

and this is on printedmedia....! his very own words...

he has a tendency to say the "truth" - unwillingly - tells a lot about this man!

His interview with ABC Lateline is good too http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/05/26/2910366.htm

THAKSIN SHINAWATRA: If you look at it, you know, why, the Red Shirts burn the central, why not other sites, the central, if you look at many analysis in Thailand you will understand better that the Red Shirts, they are not sophisticated enough to burn the whole building down.

They may angry to create fires, here and there a small fires, but not the big fires. The big fire is, must be the work of professional. Is not be a Red Shirt definitely and it must be well planned ahead. I can assure you, as an ex-priest I can assure you that this is a well planned and professionally done is not really, I can say is that it's a set up, it's a set up.

He's not really following things is he?

[rubl]

So what did he say or do Rubi? Why hasn't the Thai government showed the evidence. Because it would be the laughing stock of the world if it did.

ADDED LATER: It's been a year and a half and what happen to the charges against the yellow shirt leaders??????? But in a week Thanksin is charged. How do think the Red Shirts feel about this. And they say it's not politically motivated. BS

Naughty, you added a few line before I had time to reply on the first.

You mix two things. You ask what happened with the charges against yellow AND how come K. Thaksin charged in a week. You should complain if none was charged. For the rest see my reply before on line one.

Edited May 27, 2010 by rubl

[whybother]

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

How many grenades did the yellow shirts have? How many police and soldiers were killed by the yellow shirts? How many by-standers were killed by the yellow shirts?

Occupying the airport was illegal, inconvenienced thousands of people, and was terrible for Thai tourism, but how is that terrorism?

Many police were injured, including stabbings at parliament, but we need to consider like for like, how many police or soldiers would have been injured if they tried to break up the protests?

As for the red shirts, how many police or soldiers were killed when they were not trying to break up the protest?

The police tried to break up the yellow protests when they were at government house. Police were injured, but none were shot and none were blown up with grenades.

[givenall]

To Thailand's current government:

be careful of what you wish for, you may get it.

It is ok if he stays outside. Just take his money and also his family since they also aided in the terrorism act. Including freezing his asset in any countries that would cooperated with Thailand, Like US, Europe, etc. That would be probably a worse punishment in Thailand after seeing what happened to the Red leader in detention, Party time

[chrislarsson]

Thailand has come the laughing stock of the western world. Charging him as a terrorist because he made speeches to the Red Shirts against the government is not terrorisms.

That's probably a bit much. But I don't think anyone who has looked into recent court rulings by the Supreme Court believe that Thailand has an independent judicial branch anymore.

If the Thai government is serious and they actually have proof of crimes, why don't they ask for Thaksin to be tried in an international court? But they don't have any. If they did, it would be posted all over the Internet already.

[zorm999]

His interview with ABC Lateline is good too http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/05/26/2910366.htm

THAKSIN SHINAWATRA: If you look at it, you know, why, the Red Shirts burn the central, why not other sites, the central, if you look at many analysis in Thailand you will understand better that the Red Shirts, they are not sophisticated enough to burn the whole building down.

They may angry to create fires, here and there a small fires, but not the big fires. The big fire is, must be the work of professional. Is not be a Red Shirt definitely and it must be well planned ahead. I can assure you, as an ex-priest I can assure you that this is a well planned and professionally done is not really, I can say is that it's a set up, it's a set up.

He's not really following things is he?

Typical red shirt response - whenever something bad happens, blame everyone else! Do they really think the red shirts are completely incapable of doing anything wrong?

[chainarong]

The weighted index says that the plan is not weighted in favour of the Government, the red shirt trash will be back on the streets again, if Thaskin is escorted back to Thailand, the best argument is for Mossad to complete the job, and a good job they do ,they even use fake Australian Passports, but the boys and girls of Mossad have a good score when it comes to the hit rate, 100%.

[Vindie]

The red shirts are a terrorist organization????? What about the Yellow shirts they are not?????? Who funded them????? Why aren't they charged. This is why Thailand is becoming the laughing stock of the world So one sided. This is why you will never have peace here.

The yellow shirts are in a minor league. When they withdrew from the airport they even cleaned up, apologised for the inconvenience caused. They even forgot to torch the lot. Then the red-shirts, they've got it pat down. Shooting M79's at innocent bystanders, police and troops, sowing hatred through their Peoples TV, torching their home of two months, looting, etc.

The yellow leaders are charges, have acknowledged the charge, granted bail, still in Thailand. You may complain about their case progressing soo slowly. Still who has details on the police crackdown in June/July 2008 when yellow-shirt died from faulty teargas canisters? Where the PM and Minister of Interior charged (late K. Samak and K. Chalerm) ?

Thank goodness they had the army backing them up so they could achieve 100% of their demands! Otherwise they would have been branded terrorists and sentenced to jail sentences immediately. By the way, what is all this crap about cleaning the airport and apologizing? I remember a huge clean-up bill and a lot of arrogance. Are you guys reading the Nation again?