What Should Thailand Do With Viktor Bout?

[Jingthing]

What do YOU think Thailand should do about Viktor Bout? Yes, we know this is going through the Thai courts, whatever that actually means is happening we don't really know, but again, what do YOU think should be done?

[Travel2003]

Have not followed this case too close, because I was out of Thailand for a while after he got arrested.

I understand he has become some sort of a "hot political potato" as well now?

He is being used as a tool within the polirtics here.

Is that correct?

[carmine]

I'm sure the legal team prosecuting Charles Taylor would like a word with him.

I would also think there are a number of very prominent people that really don't want him revealing the extent of his business contacts.

[Jingthing]

Have not followed this case too close, because I was out of Thailand for a while after he got arrested.

I understand he has become some sort of a "hot political potato" as well now?

He is being used as a tool within the polirtics here.

Is that correct?

It is mostly a foreign policy issue. Two big powers are putting massive pressure on Thailand to do opposite things. If they release to the USA, Russia will be mad, and vice versa. So it seems like they are dragging it out to at least give the appearance that outside pressure had nothing to do with the final decision. But even then, the anger will still happen when they do make the decision, in other words, a no win situation for Thailand.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Jingthing

[Tonto21]

Have not followed this case too close, because I was out of Thailand for a while after he got arrested.

I understand he has become some sort of a "hot political potato" as well now?

He is being used as a tool within the polirtics here.

Is that correct?

It is mostly a foreign policy issue. Two big powers are putting massive pressure on Thailand to do opposite things. If they release to the USA, Russia will be mad, and vice versa. So it seems like they are dragging it out to at least give the appearance that outside pressure had nothing to do with the final decision. But even then, the anger will still happen when they do make the decision, in other words, a no win situation for Thailand.

Sorry can't really comment on the case, as I've not been following it that close, can only really comment on your summing up of Thailand predicament. I would agree Thailand is going to catch it in the ear from one or the other, Russia or the USA. The delay in extraditing him I feel has more to do with the States and Russia now having turned this into a pissing contest and Thailand is now just waiting to see What's in it for them….Political support, finical aid…………..House in the Hampton or by the black sea! Just how important is this guy to these two countries?

Edited August 31, 2010 by Tonto21

[Jingthing]

He is very important and it is also clear it is very important to Thailand not to have either the USA or Russia angry with them. Given the current geopolitical situation with China though, where China is now treating the entire Asean area as their pond, with the importance of relations with the USA to balance out this new reality, I think it is obvious the USA is more important to Thailand than Russia. But they are both important, thus the problem.

[bkkjames]

Give him two cases of Vodka, send him to Poipet and don't let him back in.

[Jingthing]

Give him two cases of Vodka, send him to Poipet and don't let him back in.

That's a plan. What do you reckon Cambodia would do with him?

[Tonto21]

He is very important and it is also clear it is very important to Thailand not to have either the USA or Russia angry with them. Given the current geopolitical situation with China though, where China is now treating the entire Asean area as their pond, with the importance of relations with the USA to balance out this new reality, I think it is obvious the USA is more important to Thailand than Russia. But they are both important, thus the problem.

I think I need to read up a little on this guy and case, before passing further comment. At the risk of sounding ignorant, this guy’s is an arms dealer, Russia right? I think, again from what I do know he must hold some pretty damming information.

[Jingthing]

Yes, clearly he knows a lot of stuff that would embarrass a lot of people. He is among the most connected people in the world. If he is tried in the US, he could get a better deal by spilling some beans.

[Travel2003]

Is he the guy I read something about a secret recording of one of the top politicians here the other day?

And his wife suddenly appeared with a press conference?

Same guy?

[IanForbes]

Maybe he should have an accidental "suicide" like others do in Pattaya?

[Jingthing]

OK, who voted award him a peace prize!

[Hakuchi]

OK, who voted award him a peace prize!

The Nobel Committee (Team Norway) maybe?

[Jingthing]

OK, who voted award him a peace prize!

The Nobel Committee (Team Norway) maybe?

Well, I am sure it was some kind of joker ...

[mahtin]

Cut him in two and give each party half.

Solomon.

[wintermute]

A better idea would be for Thailand to try and hand him off to the UN or some other "international" court and then wash their hands of the whole mess. It's impossible for Thailand to make a right decision in this they will be getting screwed regardless. Pissing off either country is bad news.

[Jingthing]

A better idea would be for Thailand to try and hand him off to the UN or some other "international" court and then wash their hands of the whole mess. It's impossible for Thailand to make a right decision in this they will be getting screwed regardless. Pissing off either country is bad news.

This choice is fairly close to that --

Keep in Thai prison except if a world court agrees to charge him

How can they hand him off to an entity unless the entity agrees they will accept him?

[thaihome]

If Bout actually understood the current state of the justice system in the US, he would not be fighting this. If he were to stand trial in the US, I think there is a very good chance that with a really slick lawyer he would probably get off. These sting operations are hard to get convictions for. Generally they tend to get real close to entrapment and this one appears to be very close…

TH

[wintermute]

A better idea would be for Thailand to try and hand him off to the UN or some other "international" court and then wash their hands of the whole mess. It's impossible for Thailand to make a right decision in this they will be getting screwed regardless. Pissing off either country is bad news.

This choice is fairly close to that --

Keep in Thai prison except if a world court agrees to charge him

How can they hand him off to an entity unless the entity agrees they will accept him?

Like I said there's no easy solution but what Thailand has always been good at is riding the middle road and skirting by without causing too much international conflict. This all comes down to Abhisit's negotiation skills though and see if any credible international org wants to get involved. Then again the international tribune and the UN are both fairly useless when it matters so we'll see...

[Soutpeel]

A better idea would be for Thailand to try and hand him off to the UN or some other "international" court and then wash their hands of the whole mess. It's impossible for Thailand to make a right decision in this they will be getting screwed regardless. Pissing off either country is bad news.

Yeap certainly the smartest solution...

[Shotime]

Thailand should never have gotten in the middle of this. Handing him over to the US would be the right thing to do. Bout is obviously involved with supplying arms to the worst kind of people. What he knows could prove invaluable to stopping a lot of killing and terrorism. I don't think Russia is interested in that. I'm not entirely sure the US is either, but I do believe they would use the information they get for better purposes.

It's not just the US and Russia who are concerned with what happens with Bout, but the lesser players are not that important in the big scheme of things, He will, eventually be handed over to the US once Thailand realizes he can't be used for any poliyical advantages here in Thailand, but what do I know?

[Jingthing]

It now appears that those voting

Extradite ASAP to the USA (2 votes [12.50%])

which included me, are going to get our wish.

Thanks for playing.

[Hakuchi]

It now appears that those voting

Extradite ASAP to the USA (2 votes [12.50%])

which included me, are going to get our wish.

Thanks for playing.

you should have voted for "Don't know enough about the case to have an opinion " as the other honest members did.