Thai Foreign Ministry is prepared to request Thaksin's extradition

[webfact]

FUGITIVE EX-PM

Thai FM is prepared to request Thaksin's extradition

By The Nation

Foreign Ministry on Monday said it is prepared to forward a request the United States to extradite ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who is invited speak before Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).

Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said that if requested by the Office of Attorney-General, the ministry will act.

Thaksin is invited to testify with CSCE in the US next week.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama claimed that Thaksin accepted an invitation from CSCE to testify on alleged human rights violations during Bangkok's deadly political demonstrations.

Noppadon said Thaksin will arrive in Washington on Dec 16 and the CSCE briefing will be about alleged human rights violations during the political disorder in March-May which led to a number of deaths and injuries.

The briefing will also be about the insurgency situation in deep South provinces, the violation of freedom of expression of the media and public opinion which have been caused by the enforcement of a state of emergency.

Thani said Thai embassy in Washington has informed Bangkok of possible appearance of the deposed premier there and that the Thai ambassador to Washington has also been invited to attend the briefing.

Thani said the CSCE is an independent agency and it plans to hold a briefing on Thailand's situation, adding he does not know if Thaksin will be allowed to enter the country as it depends on the consideration of the US authorities.

As Thaksin has an outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism charges, the spokesman said, Thailand has an extradition treaty with the US in effect but it depends on the decision of the Office of Attorney-General (OAG).

"If the OAG coordinates with the foreign ministry (to seek extradition of the ex-premier), we are ready to proceed with the request," said Thani, "but until now no request has been made as Mr Thaksin's address in the US must be identified first."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva commented on Monday that he is not sure about Thaksin's intention in 'clarifying' to the CSCE on the human rights violations in the kingdom and that he has to wait for clearer details on Thaksin's visit.

Abhisit added the foreign ministry is duty-bound to consider whether they should seek the extradition of the fugitive premier or not.

-- The Nation 2010-12-07

[softgeorge]

Thailand won't get him from the U.S if he has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges then the U.S will state that it falls under thier juristiction and he should be held accountable under U.S law. The yanks seem to be claiming wanted people from every country at the moment as thier own. They are the worlds police and demand absolute control of the planet.

[webfact]

Thailand eyes fugitive ex-PM's extradition

by Kelly Macnamara

BANGKOK, December 7, 2010 (AFP) - Thailand said Tuesday that it was looking into requesting the extradition of the kingdom's fugitive former leader after he was invited to give evidence to a US government human rights panel.

Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup and lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, is set to speak to the US committee on topics including deadly "Red Shirt" anti-government protests in Bangkok.

The former billionaire telecom tycoon's invitation to Washington comes after the protracted legal battle for the extradition from Thailand of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was eventually sent to America last month.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected suggestions that there was a deal to swap Thaksin for Bout.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said authorities in Bangkok were legally obliged to seek extradition.

"Of course they have to act on it, they are just looking and evaluating what they have to do. This is a very normal procedure," he said.

"It is expected that in normal circumstances countries will honour the (extradition) treaty, but they may have their own procedures and their own requirements."

He said it was not certain that Thaksin would make the US trip.

Neil Simon, spokesman for the Helsinki Commission, an official US watchdog overseeing human rights and other issues, confirmed late Monday that the event was planned for December 16.

In a letter to Thaksin, the panel said the "recent crackdown on political protesters" was of "particular interest".

The former prime minister -- still a hugely divisive figure at home -- was invited to give his "perspective on the human rights situation in Thailand, including freedom of the press and freedom of expression".

He will also be asked to speak on the Thai government's efforts to quell a separatist insurgency in the south of the country, which according to activists has claimed over 4,400 lives since it began in 2004.

Thaksin drew wide support from Thailand's rural poor when he was in office and is still held in high regard by many Red Shirts, who accuse the current government of being elitist and undemocratic.

The Reds' rally demanding immediate elections overwhelmed parts of Bangkok for two months before a military crackdown brought the demonstration to a bloody end in May.

More than 90 people were left dead and nearly 1,900 injured in unrest during the protests and many of those killed were civilians.

"I welcome the fact that the US authorities have recognised that the horrific human rights atrocities that occurred in April and May this year are to be fully and independently investigated," Thaksin said in a statement responding to the invitation.

Thai government spokesman Panitan said authorities were considering whether to send a representative to testify at the hearing.

Thaksin is wanted by the Thai government for abuse of power during his time as leader.

Thai courts have also issued a series of arrest warrants on charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the violent street rallies. The authorities have accused him of bankrolling the protests and inciting unrest.

Thaksin, a former owner of English football club Manchester City, has said the terrorism charges against him are "politically motivated".

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-07

[Bagwan]

Why mention Manchester City FC in this context? What has MCFC got to do with the price of fish? Doh!

I would be thinking of not making a fuss about this non-event. However priming the inquisitors with an alternative viewpoint, which hopefully corresponds more closely to reality, may well ensure maximum public discomfort to our fugitive criminal. Not a few members on this board would wish to sit on the panel and have the opportunity to fire a few salvoes at the Man Who Would Be Pres.

If cables were sent alerting the State Department and others of Russian bribery in the Bout case, then surely cables were sent detailing all the horrors perpetrated by the Thaksin regime. Bluff and double bluff?

[gotlost]

Thailand won't get him from the U.S if he has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges then the U.S will state that it falls under thier juristiction and he should be held accountable under U.S law. The yanks seem to be claiming wanted people from every country at the moment as thier own. They are the worlds police and demand absolute control of the planet.

He is not there yet so don't get your nickers in a knot.

[truethailand]

whos issued an arrest warrant for terrorism charges..new one on me

[SergeiY]

Are they also prepared to fail?

[jdinasia]

whos issued an arrest warrant for terrorism charges..new one on me

From a source you might be able to trust.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-25/thaksin-arrest-warrants-grow-as-terrorism-claim-added-update1-.html

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges for inciting anti-government protests culminating in a military assault and arson attacks last week.

The warrant, at least the sixth against the telecommunications billionaire, will help government efforts to extradite him, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. Abhisit didn’t provide supporting evidence for the charge, which he said is easier to understand than previous allegations.

I honestly doubt Thaksin will show up in any country with an active history of using an extradition treaty with Thailand.

[asiawatcher]

Yeah yeah... "prepared to request" does not exactly instill fear into conman and convicted criminal Thaksin!

[animatic]

Thailand won't get him from the U.S if he has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges then the U.S will state that it falls under thier juristiction and he should be held accountable under U.S law. The yanks seem to be claiming wanted people from every country at the moment as thier own. They are the worlds police and demand absolute control of the planet.

Uh, did you ever consider that IS the best option for Thailand.

Let the USA hold him in stir for an right long extended period,

incommunicado and lacking serious luxuries, like call ins.

Terrorism charges sound like a bail denied thing too.

12 time zones away and on a Saxena timetable for freedom.

Edited December 7, 2010 by animatic

[SergeiY]

whos issued an arrest warrant for terrorism charges..new one on me

From a source you might be able to trust.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-25/thaksin-arrest-warrants-grow-as-terrorism-claim-added-update1-.html

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges for inciting anti-government protests culminating in a military assault and arson attacks last week.

The warrant, at least the sixth against the telecommunications billionaire, will help government efforts to extradite him, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. Abhisit didn’t provide supporting evidence for the charge, which he said is easier to understand than previous allegations.

I honestly doubt Thaksin will show up in any country with an active history of using an extradition treaty with Thailand.

What did interpol say?

[rubl]

whos issued an arrest warrant for terrorism charges..new one on me

From a source you might be able to trust.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-25/thaksin-arrest-warrants-grow-as-terrorism-claim-added-update1-.html

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand�s Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges for inciting anti-government protests culminating in a military assault and arson attacks last week.

The warrant, at least the sixth against the telecommunications billionaire, will help government efforts to extradite him, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. Abhisit didn�t provide supporting evidence for the charge, which he said is easier to understand than previous allegations.

I honestly doubt Thaksin will show up in any country with an active history of using an extradition treaty with Thailand.

What did interpol say?

Interpol? Say something on the Thaksin case ? Why would they? They were terribly busy trying to apprehend or get apprehended that other well-known terrorist and disturber of order, peace and establishment, that whistleblower J. Assange. Now there's a thread to nations if ever I saw one

Edited December 7, 2010 by rubl

[LomSak27]

"If the OAG coordinates with the foreign ministry (to seek extradition of the ex-premier), we are ready to proceed with the request," said Thani, "but until now no request has been made as Mr Thaksin's address in the US must be identified first."

Oh is that the problem

But let it be known they are prepaired to request extradition any moment, any time, any place. That is all.

[whybother]

What did interpol say?

What did Interpol say about Bout?

Edited December 8, 2010 by whybother

[brahmburgers]

Yeah yeah... "prepared to request" does not exactly instill fear into conman and convicted criminal Thaksin!

'prepared to request' ...right. Like the same sorts of legislators were prepared to act on the Alpine resort litigation, except it took them 20 years to get it to court. And gov't Land Dept in my town has been 'preparing' to act upon granting chanod (title) to thousands of parcels which border the city, but after 22 years, they still can't get the process started - even though they have a cavernous office with about 200 full time government workers. If a Thai government office states they're 'prepared' to do something, ....don't hold your breath waiting for action.

Are they also prepared to fail?

who is 'they' in your sentence? Thaksin and his handlers? The US Feds? The bumbling Thai authorities?

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand won't get him from the U.S if he has an arrest warrant on terrorism charges then the U.S will state that it falls under thier juristiction and he should be held accountable under U.S law. The yanks seem to be claiming wanted people from every country at the moment as thier own. They are the worlds police and demand absolute control of the planet.

Uh, did you ever consider that IS the best option for Thailand.

Let the USA hold him in stir for an right long extended period,

incommunicado and lacking serious luxuries, like call ins.

Terrorism charges sound like a bail denied thing too.

12 time zones away and on a Saxena timetable for freedom.

It might be their best bet, on the basis that there is a a living breathing trusted and tested process for Thailand to follow.

I would presume they will have a lot of meetings to see whether it is possible to do so before they go in all guns blazing. In many ways, it would be a hell of a lot better if they hadn't released the fact that they intended to to do anything. It would have been much easier to back down if they had claimed they didn't intend to do anything at all.

Anyway, lets see what happens. I have a feeling that they may actually have a good chance of success considering how the US just succeeded with Bout. It pays to have friends sometimes.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Thai at Heart