PM Abhisit Says He Will Seek Extradition Of Arisman

[webfact]

RUNAWAY REDS LEADER

PM says he will seek extradition of Arisman

By Piyanart Srivalo

Chatchawan Sopaphan

The Nation

Arisman

It is now proven that he is in Cambodia: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that he would seek the extradition of fugitive red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong during a meeting later this week with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.

The prime minister said he thought there was sufficient evidence to prove that Arisman was now in hiding in Cambodia. He said the Cambodian leader had earlier promised to cooperate in arresting people wanted under Thai law.

Abhisit's remarks came after the latest developments in the pursuit of Arisman, a crooner-turned-politician who is described as a key figure in the red shirts' hard-line wing.

Arisman recently applied for a Cambodian visa as part of his attempt to travel to a third country, according to Governor Sanit Naksuksri of Sa Kaew province, on the border with Cambodia.

However, First Army Region commander Lt-General Udomdej Sitabutr said Arisman appeared to have used a passport with falsified Thai immigration stamps, which was a criminal offence.

Abhisit said yesterday he would raise the matter during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Hanoi, which starts tomorrow and runs until Saturday.

"He told me earlier that if there was evidence, he was ready to cooperate. There will be extradition like the few earlier cases," the prime minister said, referring to some red-shirt figures who were arrested and sent back by the Cambodian authorities.

The premier said Thai authorities would "certainly" seek cooperation from their Cambodian counterparts in Arisman's case. He said the fugitive red-shirt leader's presence in Cambodia was now confirmed, and was "not just hearsay".

He said Thailand would stress that neighbouring countries with cordial relations needed to cooperate with each other on issues of security importance.

The Sa Kaew governor said yesterday that Arisman had someone apply for a visa from the Cambodian Consulate in Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet district.

"The Cambodian Consulate - unaware who he was - issued the visa on October 24," he said, citing information from the consulate.

The governor said there was no record of Thai immigration stamping of Arisman's travel documents, but he had learned that the Cambodian immigration authorities had admitted him into their country.

During the red shirts' rally last year, Arisman led protesters who stormed into the venue of the Asean Summit being held at a Pattaya hotel, forcing the event to be cancelled.

Earlier this year, when the red shirts held another major rally, Arisman led marches on Parliament, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency, and on the office of the Election Commission, forcing it to bring a dissolution case to court against the ruling Democrat Party.

-- The Nation 2010-10-27

Related topic:

Red-Shirt Arisaman's Fake Visa Case Under Investigation

[virtualtraveller]

Perhaps the Red Shirts should arrest Arisman, all their heroic leaders are doing their time in jail while this gutless piece of Sh*t is doing a runner.

[OzMick]

Perhaps the Red Shirts should arrest Arisman, all their heroic leaders are doing their time in jail while this gutless piece of Sh*t is doing a runner.

Of all the adjectives that I have thought to apply to the Red leaders, I never came close to "heroic"!!!

[craigt3365]

I wonder what proof they have. We are all pretty sure that is where he is, but the proof will be interesting. Since Hun Sen has indicated he was not in Cambodia for sure....

[animatic]

Perhaps the Red Shirts should arrest Arisman, all their heroic leaders are doing their time in jail while this gutless piece of Sh*t is doing a runner.

Of all the adjectives that I have thought to apply to the Red leaders, I never came close to "heroic"!!!

I suspect that is an ironic comment.

If it isn't then that is even more ironic!

[hammered]

If there is ever going to be one of those reconcilliation deals between the powerful ones on both sides, it is quite likely Arisamon will be one of the sacrificial lambs.

[junkofdavid2]

"The Cambodian Consulate - unaware who he was..."

Who's 'saving face' with this statement?

The Cambodians or the Thais?

[Arkady]

"The Cambodian Consulate - unaware who he was..."

Who's 'saving face' with this statement?

The Cambodians or the Thais?

Both sides are saving face here. Hun Sen's ministers are well aware who the red shirt leaders are, having treated them like brothers when Thaksin visited Phnom Penh as economic adviser. Moreover, the Cambodian consular staff in Thailand have to follow the Thai media very closely to monitor political happenings that may affect their relations with Thailand. Hun Sen rules Cambodia with an iron fist and the consul wouldn't have dared issue a visa to a known red shirt leader without getting approval from his minister first. More likely it was pre-arranged by the ministry.

In addition to red shirt leaders, such as Arisman and Jakraphob Penkhair, enjoying refuge there the Cambodian government is also giving house room to notorious common criminals evading Thai jail sentences, including Watana Asavahame and Kamnan Po. Chalerm's son also apparently had a long holiday there, while Daddy prepared his successful defence on the cop killer murder charge which ended up with the blame being assigned to a fictional character whom police declined to pursue.

[chantorn]

"The Cambodian Consulate - unaware who he was..."

Who's 'saving face' with this statement?

The Cambodians or the Thais?

Both sides are saving face here. Hun Sen's ministers are well aware who the red shirt leaders are, having treated them like brothers when Thaksin visited Phnom Penh as economic adviser. Moreover, the Cambodian consular staff in Thailand have to follow the Thai media very closely to monitor political happenings that may affect their relations with Thailand. Hun Sen rules Cambodia with an iron fist and the consul wouldn't have dared issue a visa to a known red shirt leader without getting approval from his minister first. More likely it was pre-arranged by the ministry.

In addition to red shirt leaders, such as Arisman and Jakraphob Penkhair, enjoying refuge there the Cambodian government is also giving house room to notorious common criminals evading Thai jail sentences, including Watana Asavahame and Kamnan Po. Chalerm's son also apparently had a long holiday there, while Daddy prepared his successful defence on the cop killer murder charge which ended up with the blame being assigned to a fictional character whom police declined to pursue.

Give him the visa with a tracking chip embedded. 007 stuffs.

[atyclb]

"Arisman appeared to have used a passport with falsified Thai immigration stamps, which was a criminal offence."

What?????

Bought and paid for in the traditionally acceptable way.......

[MikeyIdea]

"Arisman appeared to have used a passport with falsified Thai immigration stamps, which was a criminal offence."

What?????

Bought and paid for in the traditionally acceptable way.......

If he can be proven to have used falsified Thai immigration stamps, then that is - unlike the other charges - clearly a criminal offence and actually very good news. Remember, they couldn't get Al Capone for all the murders so they got him on tax evasion instead - end result the same -> Jail.

Keep on digging your own grave Arisman

[dekbahnnok]

"The Cambodian Consulate - unaware who he was..."

Who's 'saving face' with this statement?

The Cambodians or the Thais?

Both sides are saving face here. Hun Sen's ministers are well aware who the red shirt leaders are, having treated them like brothers when Thaksin visited Phnom Penh as economic adviser. Moreover, the Cambodian consular staff in Thailand have to follow the Thai media very closely to monitor political happenings that may affect their relations with Thailand. Hun Sen rules Cambodia with an iron fist and the consul wouldn't have dared issue a visa to a known red shirt leader without getting approval from his minister first. More likely it was pre-arranged by the ministry.

In addition to red shirt leaders, such as Arisman and Jakraphob Penkhair, enjoying refuge there the Cambodian government is also giving house room to notorious common criminals evading Thai jail sentences, including Watana Asavahame and Kamnan Po. Chalerm's son also apparently had a long holiday there, while Daddy prepared his successful defence on the cop killer murder charge which ended up with the blame being assigned to a fictional character whom police declined to pursue.

Chalerm's son never left Thailand he was at General Chavalit's compound the whole time....never mind the helicopter rumours!

[mca]

If they get Arisman back on Thai soil and I were a judge all they'd have to do is play his back catalogue in court and I'd give him multiple life sentences for crimes against music

[rametindallas]

If there is ever going to be one of those reconcilliation deals between the powerful ones on both sides, it is quite likely Arisamon will be one of the sacrificial lambs.

A 'sacrificial lamb' is without blemish and worthy as a gift to God. Do you think Arisaman fits that description. I have a description for him but I don't want to be banned for 'flaming'. LOL

Maybe an American expression would be appropriate for what I think you are trying to say. 'Throw him under the bus'. Pardon me if I misunderstand you.

[brahmburgers]

It's believable that the Arisman had someone take his passport (with or without fake stamps in it) to get a visa from a Cambodian consulate in Thailand. Either way, it appears Arisman had accomplices in his illegal activities.

In most countries, such accomplices in crime would be charged as 'accessories to a crime' and/or 'harboring a fugitive.' Yet in Thailand, such charges either don't exist, or are trumped by who/what the prime character represents. In other words, if Arisman is rich or well-connected, his accomplices in crime won't be dealt with by authorities.

[Who, me ?]

A true hero, indeed, who vowed to fight until death.....

He did show that he is a man of word when he fled like a real hero as soon as he could hear that soldiers were approaching Ratchprasong, leaving the others to take the heat!

What a scumbag....

[chantorn]

It's believable that the Arisman had someone take his passport (with or without fake stamps in it) to get a visa from a Cambodian consulate in Thailand. Either way, it appears Arisman had accomplices in his illegal activities.

In most countries, such accomplices in crime would be charged as 'accessories to a crime' and/or 'harboring a fugitive.' Yet in Thailand, such charges either don't exist, or are trumped by who/what the prime character represents. In other words, if Arisman is rich or well-connected, his accomplices in crime won't be dealt with by authorities.

You mean Thai government is 'harboring a fugitive' as he is still in Thailand?