Now Let's See If The US Will Scratch Thailand's Back

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SIDELINES

Now let's see if the US will scratch our back

By Sopon Onkgara

The Nation

If and when fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra - now a Montenegrin citizen in whatever name he chooses to bear - steps onto American soil for his testimony to a US standing committee on human rights later this month, it will be time for the Americans to scratch our back.

According to Thaksin's lawyer and personal mouthpiece, Nopadol Patama, the fugitive has received an invitation to testify to the Commission on Security (CSCE) and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the US-Helsinki Commission.

According to the CSCE website, the commission is an independent agency charged with monitoring international compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security measures through the promotion of human rights, democracy and economic, environmental and military cooperation between the 56 member countries.

If this invitation is genuine, it will mark a major move by Thaksin to present his case to a powerful commission. It would also be his first visit to the US since he was ousted from the premiership by a military coup in September 2006. A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman said he was not aware of this latest move.

Nopadol said the CSCE, chaired by a US Democrat senator, wants Thaksin's version of the red-shirt riots in April and May, which eventually led to a military crackdown, resulting in 90 deaths. It also wants his views on the ongoing insurgency and daily violence in Thailand's three southernmost provinces.

Well, there's a problem here. Thaksin wasn't in the country at the time of the red-shirt mayhem, but he acted as the major supporter of the protest rally and the violence through his periodic pep talks to the crowds, as well as the armed wing of the red-shirt movement.

What does Thaksin know, and is he willing to tell the whole truth about his involvement? We have watched his interviews with international news networks, during which he has been grilled and cornered by probing questions from newscasters. Let's hope the CSCE has got all the news clips and related information.

What the government should pay attention to is whether Thaksin actually shows up to give his testimony and is under any kind of immunity extended under the CSCE. It should also bear in mind whether the fugitive lies with a straight face, playing the role of innocent, weeping boy.

Our government has not performed well in its attempt to seek Thaksin's extradition to serve his two-year jail term and stand trial for other pending criminal charges involving corruption and abuse of power. What's more, it has been remarkably soft on Thaksin's case, demonstrated in the slow pace of prosecuting his political cronies and police officers with bloodied hands. The public prosecutors have displayed no enthusiasm to pursue pending cases either.

If Thaksin does go to the CSCE, how should the government react? It's time for the public to know whether the government is sincere in seeking Thaksin's capture by whatever means, such as seeking cooperation from Interpol.

The public prosecutors will have to prove their alacrity in hauling back Thaksin to serve his prison term. All along, the relevant agencies have come up with lame excuses that they have no knowledge of Thaksin's exact whereabouts. If this is true, they are the last to know such information and have thus lost their credibility and professional integrity.

The government and public prosecutors must proceed without delay in verifying news about Thaksin's moves. His testimony, let's believe it, will not be nice about the government and country of his birth.

First things first, we should inform the US government that if Thaksin does go to Washington, we will seek his extradition to Thailand. Let's see whether the US government can do anything to help us terminate the cause of the political crisis.

In the past two decades we have sent a number of fugitive criminals back to the US under requests for extradition. These include a Thai drug-trafficker who had served a jail term in the US, American criminals and child molesters, among others. More notably, we have sent notorious Muslim terrorist Hambali, mastermind of the Bali bombing, following his capture in Thailand. But the most controversial of all was the recent extradition of Victor Bout, the Russian air transport operator accused of being an illegal arms trafficker, who will stand trial in the US under the Patriot Act.

In a nutshell, we have scratched the US's back many times, and it is now the US's turn to scratch ours by sending Thaksin back to where he belongs: prison. This will prove whether the US is sincere toward Thailand.

Thaksin has been roaming around, spitting venom wherever he goes. He has hired lawyers and PR people to discredit Thailand through public forums and media events. This is a good chance to shut him up, if the government has the guts to perform its duty.

-- The Nation 2010-12-07

[JetsetBkk]

A wonderfully unbiased piece from the "Nation". Pity that a lot of people in this "nation" aren't swayed by this tripe.

...fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra...whatever name he chooses to bear...the fugitive...fugitive criminals...Thaksin has been roaming around, spitting venom...

[Cuchulainn]

Bring him back and there'll be anarchy. The Reds will have their puppet master back and will stop at nothing to get him and his ilk back into the driving seat! Thaksin, Chalerm and Chavalit steering Thailand into the next decade.

Can't wait!!

[katasyd]

Bring him back and there'll be anarchy. The Reds will have their puppet master back and will stop at nothing to get him and his ilk back into the driving seat! Thaksin, Chalerm and Chavalit steering Thailand into the next decade.

Can't wait!!

Thaksin could send Chalerm into AIS and seize his network back, just like they did to Mr Monson back in the day.

The saying "this is Thailand" was penned by Thaksin.

[givenall]

Bring him back and there'll be anarchy. The Reds will have their puppet master back and will stop at nothing to get him and his ilk back into the driving seat! Thaksin, Chalerm and Chavalit steering Thailand into the next decade.

Can't wait!!

If this was true, he would be back willingly month ago. As everyone know he would stop at nothing to get his way

Edited December 7, 2010 by givenall

[LomSak27]

In a nutshell, we have scratched the US's back many times, and it is now the US's turn to scratch ours by sending Thaksin back to where he belongs: prison. This will prove whether the US is sincere toward Thailand

Well Thailand scratched the US back, or Thaksin did, helping with the "rendition" of terrow suspects. Of course that quid pro quo on that was raw money and LOTS of it sent by Jr. Bush --- the same thing that Thailand got from Russia in the Viktor Bout case. However now it seems money isn't enough - or so says The Nation.

Good for an OP ED peice but this will have diplomatic spat if they do go through with it for internal PR. The US needs an official extradition request, outlining crimes comitted etc. and documentation and I'm sure the US has a laundry list of Thai nationals they want to extradite back to face charges in the US. Two from my old city in fact.

If Thailand really wants to play ball, game on.

Of course this is from The Nation right

[Huey]

If he goes to the States they need to send him back to Thailand, period. Anything less would be a slap in the face to Thailand. The expedition treaty is bilateral, thus each side need honour their side of the bargain irregardless of who the criminal is or how much money they have.

[LomSak27]

The expedition treaty

See that is the problem they need to have an extradition treaty and you need to go through certain protocols before you extradite.

The US has a long history of asking to extradite Thai nationals for crimes committed in the USA and the Thai goverment never does for one reason or the other.

In case you haven;t read the back story the US checked with Thailand first, if they would arrest, then extradite Viktor. Hey Sure no problem, but then after the arrest we had a couple years and we have found from WIKI Leaks that they used this time to extort money from the Russians

Slaps in the face are like street cars, give it ten minutes and another will come along.

[Scott]

I am wondering if any legal experts might know whether or not he can be given immunity of some sort and legally what that would involve.

Is Thaksin even likely to show up for any hearing without assurances that he won't get tangled up in the US Justice system?

If he travels under a different passport--and I understand he MAY have some diplomatic passport(s) from other countries, does that make a difference?

[chuang]

Why are the thai government so paranoid about Thaksin....let him speaks if the Democrat government has nothing to hide...

the problem is " the truth always hurt "...

[JUDAS]

And there's me believing that all extraditions had to strictly follow the letter of the law, whereas, The Nation is implying it's more a case of you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

[thailandbluegrass]

This is a typical CRAP arcticle by The Nation. The most bias newspaper in the world. They need to close their Newspaper down or get reporters that are not so blantenly BIAST

[Sao Jiang Mai]

How are they paraniod? Have they requested that he NOT speak? I don't see any paranoia from the government.

Christmas wish: Thaksin goes to America to give his 'version' of events. Thailand asks for him to be extradited. The process takes a decade to come through, a la Saxena. In the meanwhile he is muzzled from political meddling. In ten years time he is forgotten...as I said, Christmas wish.

[Buchholz]

The expedition treaty

See that is the problem they need to have an extradition treaty and you need to go through certain protocols before you extradite.

The US has a long history of asking to extradite Thai nationals for crimes committed in the USA and the Thai goverment never does for one reason or the other.

In case you haven;t read the back story the US checked with Thailand first, if they would arrest, then extradite Viktor. Hey Sure no problem, but then after the arrest we had a couple years

They could incarcerate Thaksin there for 2 years while the extradition hearings are completed. That would be fair and without double standards.

Federal lock-up in Marion Penitentiary would fit the bill.

[MunterHunter]

Why are the thai government so paranoid about Thaksin....let him speaks if the Democrat government has nothing to hide...

the problem is " the truth always hurt "...

When was the last time Thaksin spoke the truth?

Plus i dont think the government are trying to stop him speaking

[apollo13]

Could Taxsin not give testimony via video link ? It might avert an awkward situation regarding the U.S. - Thai relationship, although Taxsin might take his chances in going to the States with the hope that he won't be extradited and thus embarrassing the the present Thai Govt'.

Edited December 7, 2010 by apollo13

[rubl]

Why are the thai government so paranoid about Thaksin....let him speaks if the Democrat government has nothing to hide...

the problem is " the truth always hurt "...

It's the nice mix of truth, half-truths, suggestions, insinuations, half-lies and full-lies which hurts. What some may pen down in half an hour, may require weeks to refute. Just take a look at some of the topics on this forum

[LomSak27]

They could incarcerate Thaksin there for 2 years while the extradition hearings are completed. That would be fair and without double standards.

No that is only doing it in the Thai manner (and then we would have the US asking for cash donations from the Dems and PAD). If they want to extradite they need to supply the information as to what laws he has broken and why they suspect him of guilt and of course this must be under a Thai/US extradition treaty.

As something similar was submitted to Interpol - or maybe they didn't submit, has their ever been any confirmation interpol recieved a formal request? - and nothing more came of it chances are good what they submit will not be acceptable to the US, even if covered under a treaty.

Not that any of this will ever be mentioned by THE NATION.

[SweeneyAgonistes]

It's the nice mix of truth, half-truths, suggestions, insinuations, half-lies and full-lies which hurts. What some may pen down in half an hour, may require weeks to refute. Just take a look at some of the topics on this forum

That's The Nation for you.

Edited December 7, 2010 by SweeneyAgonistes

[RedNIvar]

I believe (I might be wrong), that the rest of the world are treating Taksin's arrest warrant as being politically motivated. This is why Interpol has taken a step back and not involved itself (again, I might be wrong). Having said this, how many on the run political refugees has Thailand sent back to the US? Why would they expect US to scratch their backs.

I think the chances of him being extradited back is about slim to none. Call him what you will, but he is not dumb and has proven time and time again how cunning and shrewed he can be.

IMHO

[softgeorge]

The yanks coudn't care less about thaskin they have already got what they wanted from Thailand and do not ever expect any favours in return from the U.S they are only on this planet for themselves.

[rubl]

It's the nice mix of truth, half-truths, suggestions, insinuations, half-lies and full-lies which hurts. What some may pen down in half an hour, may require weeks to refute. Just take a look at some of the topics on this forum

That's The Nation for you.

I was not clear enough maybe? Or maybe with the quote from 'Chuang' removed it makes less sense?

"Why are the thai government so paranoid about Thaksin....let him speaks if the Democrat government has nothing to hide...

the problem is " the truth always hurt "..."

Actually I was referring to threads which include topics and replies

Edited December 7, 2010 by rubl

[Colabamumbai]

"if and when." I doubt that it will ever happen.

[Rama]

This is a low level commission with no power. Really shows the lack of understanding in the US about Thailand and Thaksin. This is getting no press in the US. If the US wants to really do a favor, they'll do the same thing to him as they did to Mr. Noreiga in Panama. He never went home, got US residency in a US jail for 20 years.......on the other hand, this may be a sting just like the one for Mr. Bout who thought it was safe to go to Thailand......a public appeal to Thaksin's ego is the only way to bait him.......

[Basil B]

Just what evidence dose he have to present, he was not there, the only credible evidence he has is his cheque stubs.

As for bringing him back I agree this will just inflame things, just let him rot in exile.

[mythBuster]

Luckily the Nation mirrors the very little brainpower that is latently available in the Thai elite. Thaksin has received an invitation from the house. What does the Nation think? That Obama has paid the judges, that Kasit is setting the agenda or that Thailand has the US something to offer that they will not get from Indonesia. the Philippines or cambodia?

Grow up! Or read another newspaper.

[gregb]

I believe (I might be wrong), that the rest of the world are treating Taksin's arrest warrant as being politically motivated. This is why Interpol has taken a step back and not involved itself (again, I might be wrong). Having said this, how many on the run political refugees has Thailand sent back to the US? Why would they expect US to scratch their backs.

I think the chances of him being extradited back is about slim to none. Call him what you will, but he is not dumb and has proven time and time again how cunning and shrewed he can be.

IMHO

Victor Bout was also claiming his charges were politically motivated. The Thai courts managed to see through that charade. There is going to be pressure to reciprocate. And the US Ambassador thought nothing about asking Abhisit to help make the Thai courts see the light. That request will be returned.

The US courts will be encouraged to see through Thaksin's charade of politically motivated charges. Despite everything, there is still years of friendship between the US and Thailand. When it really matters, I think the US will want to make sure that Thailand remains an ally in the region, especially given China's continuing influence.

Nope. My bet is the US won't be swayed by Interpol's politically motivated position that Thaksin's charges are politically motivated. It's all politics after all, and the US often disagrees with international opinions and acts in their own interest.

[ukrules]

Despite everything, there is still years of friendship between the US and Thailand. When it really matters, I think the US will want to make sure that Thailand remains an ally in the region, especially given China's continuing influence.

It will be interesting to see if this continues once the full wikileaks release has been completed. I wonder what the US really thinks about Thailand and it's leaders.

[RedNIvar]

Victor Bout was also claiming his charges were politically motivated. The Thai courts managed to see through that charade. There is going to be pressure to reciprocate. And the US Ambassador thought nothing about asking Abhisit to help make the Thai courts see the light. That request will be returned.

Victor Bout never ran a country nor was he over thrown by the military. Neither does he have a government that keeps blaming him for every little thing that goes wrong, from the increasing price of sugar to the latest floods. The other difference is that was interpol and other countries who deemed the charges against Taksin as being politically motivated. Victor's political song was sung solo.

I don't know, lets wait and see how this plays out. It will be interesting.

[MunterHunter]

Victor Bout never ran a country nor was he over thrown by the military. Neither does he have a government that keeps blaming him for every little thing that goes wrong, from the increasing price of sugar to the latest floods. The other difference is that was interpol and other countries who deemed the charges against Taksin as being politically motivated. Victor's political song was sung solo.

I don't know, lets wait and see how this plays out. It will be interesting.

Please provide links as to when the government blamed Thaksin for the flood and the rising price of sugar... links to articles in Thai or English will be acceptable.