Uncertainty On Whether To Seek Thaksin's Extradition From US

[webfact]

THAKSIN, WHERE ARE YOU?

Uncertainty on whether to seek Thaksin's extradition from US

By The Nation

Moves to extradite Thaksin Shinawatra are still in limbo, as Thai officials appear to have no clear plan to get the former PM back, despite his announcement he will visit the United States this month.

Thaksin says he will go to the US shortly to give evidence to the Helsinki Commission, a human rights panel, about the military crackdown on red-shirt protesters in mid-year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva seemed not to take the matter seriously when he told reporters yesterday he had not talked in detail with US President Barack Obama about extraditing Thaksin - in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, as suggested by Wikileaks, but had mainly enjoyed a chat about Apple's Ipad device.

Abhisit said he wasn't worried about Thaksin's testimony and had no idea if the former premier would really enter the US for such a purpose.

However the prime minister has instructed the Foreign Ministry to monitor Thaksin's movements.

Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Thani Thongpakdi said yesterday the ministry would forward an extradition request to Washington if the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) made an official bid to get Thaksin.

As of yesterday the OAG had not made any move to have Thaksin extradited. The office said earlier it was the Foreign Ministry or police commissioner who were legally obliged to request Thaksin's extradition.

Thani said his ministry has not yet verified Thaksin's address in the US or even confirmed whether he would really visit the country.

"If we know where exactly he is, the ministry will inform the OAG to make an official request to the US for extradition," he said. "The OAG has the final say in this case whether to have seek extradition," he said.

At this stage, no Thai agency could confirm if Thaksin would even be granted a visa to enter the US.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said Thaksin planned to visit the US on December 16 and would use his Montenegrin passport. His Thai passport has been cancelled.

2010-11-23_THAKSIN_Invitation1.pdf

Noppadon, who is a former foreign minister, said he did not have information on whether Thaksin already had a US visa.

Asked if Thaksin was aware he could be extradited from the US to Thailand once he arrived in Washington, Noppadon said the former prime minister may have already calculated the risk, as he knew Thailand and the US had an extradition agreement.

"The government, the Foreign Ministry, the OAG have authority to do so [request extradition], but the government should open its mind and give their opponent the chance to speak out about the other side of the story," he said.

Thaksin planned to give his version of the military crackdown in April and May this year, which led to the death of 91 people, mostly red-shirt protesters.

Noppadon suggested the government send an official to give its side of story to the US panel, rather than trying to get Thaksin extradited back to Thailand.

"I believe the US commission will have good judgement in the hearing," Noppadon said.

Opposition MP Jatuporn Promphan said Thaksin would go to the US to tell the truth to the world, although he was aware he could be arrested on arrival and extradited back to his homeland. "If he really goes, the world will know the truth," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-08

[asiawatcher]

Not likely he will go to the US who will most likely reciprocate the Viktor Bout extradition by returning Takky. Here's hoping. But bringing Takky back on shore would cause all but civil war at this point and at present there is relative calm. The Mossad may be the answer

[SomTumTiger]

Not likely he will go to the US who will most likely reciprocate the Viktor Bout extradition by returning Takky. Here's hoping. But bringing Takky back on shore would cause all but civil war at this point and at present there is relative calm. The Mossad may be the answer

I would vote for Scrappy Coco (from You Don't Mess with the Zohan)

[webfact]

Thai Foreign Ministry monitoring ex-PM Thaksin's possible US entry

BANGKOK, Dec 8 -- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring whether or not ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will apply for a US entry visa next week as invited by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) to testify on alleged human rights violations during Bangkok's deadly political demonstrations, according to acting foreign ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi.

Mr Thani, who is also deputy director-general of the foreign ministry's Department of Information, said the Thai embassy in Washington at present could not identify Mr Thaksin's whereabouts.

According to procedures, he said, if the ministry could locate the wanted man, the ministry would inform the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) which would then consider whether to request the US authorities for his extradition to Thailand.

If the OAG decided to go ahead with the extradition process, the ministry would coordinate with the US authorities, he said.

Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama on Monday announced that the convicted ex-premier had accepted an invitation from the CSCE to speak about alleged human rights violations during the political disruptions in March-May which led to as many as 91 deaths and more than 1,900 injuries. He plans to also speak about the insurgency in Thailand's three southern border provinces, and the violations of freedom of expression of the media and public opinion during the enforcement of the ongoing state of emergency.

Mr Noppadon said Mr Thaksin would use his Montenegrin passport to enter the US.

Mr Thani said Thai ambassador to Washington DC, Don Paramatwinai who was also invited to attend the event is considering joining the event.

The ministry spokesman said the Thai envoy to US stands ready to clarify to the CSCE the human rights situation in Thailand and could give information on the violence in the protest by the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Normally, if there was a similar briefing, Thailand would issue a written statement to clarify the issue in details, he said.

Mr Thani added the ministry has regularly sent reports on the political situation to the embassy as information to give to agencies concerned focusing on the Thai government's adherence to democratic principles, non-interference in judicial processes and supporting national reconciliation.

Deposed by a military coup in Sept 2006, Mr Thaksin now lives in exile abroad after evading a two-year jail term for violating a law on conflict of interest regarding a controversial Bangkok purchase of prime land.

Thailand's Criminal Court also issued an arrest warrant for him on terrorism charges for being behind and funding the violent actions of the Red Shirts, including grenade attacks and arson in the Thai capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the March-May demonstrations. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-08

[LomSak27]

Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Thani Thongpakdi said yesterday the ministry would forward an extradition request to Washington if the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) made an official bid to get Thaksin.

As of yesterday the OAG had not made any move to have Thaksin extradited. The office said earlier it was the Foreign Ministry or police commissioner who were legally obliged to request Thaksin's extradition.

If that isn't a clear cut chain of command what is?

[Krungbin]

If, as reported, TS goes to the US with a passport from Montenegro, he will be considered as a citizen of that country by the US authorities.

Why should the Americans extradite a Montenegrin citizen to Thailand? As simple as that...and TS will have a "free ride"...

[SergeiY]

If, as reported, TS goes to the US with a passport from Montenegro, he will be considered as a citizen of that country by the US authorities.

Why should the Americans extradite a Montenegrin citizen to Thailand? As simple as that...and TS will have a "free ride"...

Well, Thailand extradited a Russian citizen to the USA and the list of crimes including terrorism charges Thaksin is accused of by the Thai authorities is much more 'impressive' than that of this Russian who has done actually nothing in the USA.

[whybother]

If, as reported, TS goes to the US with a passport from Montenegro, he will be considered as a citizen of that country by the US authorities.

Why should the Americans extradite a Montenegrin citizen to Thailand? As simple as that...and TS will have a "free ride"...

Well, Thailand extradited a Russian citizen to the USA and the list of crimes including terrorism charges Thaksin is accused of by the Thai authorities is much more 'impressive' than that of this Russian who has done actually nothing in the USA.

Are you STILL going on about that?

[SomTumTiger]

Thailand does not want to extridite Thaksin - they do not want him back in country. They just want to hound him, and make him an international pariah. Thaksin will never set foot in Thailand, the rest of his natural life.

[Insight]

Thailand does not want to extridite Thaksin - they do not want him back in country. They just want to hound him, and make him an international pariah. Thaksin will never set foot in Thailand, the rest of his natural life.

I do understand that given the events of the past two years there's a considerable number of people who would like to reign Thaksin in...

Whether this is all a massive PR stunt or part of greater plan we'll only know once its over and done with. Even with the US shunning the red shirt movement and the favours Thailand has done for the US recently (specifically VB's extradition), I highly doubt Thaksin would risk entering the US if he knew prison would be a certainty.

[SergeiY]

If, as reported, TS goes to the US with a passport from Montenegro, he will be considered as a citizen of that country by the US authorities.

Why should the Americans extradite a Montenegrin citizen to Thailand? As simple as that...and TS will have a "free ride"...

Well, Thailand extradited a Russian citizen to the USA and the list of crimes including terrorism charges Thaksin is accused of by the Thai authorities is much more 'impressive' than that of this Russian who has done actually nothing in the USA.

Are you STILL going on about that?

Yawn.

If someone argues that the USA would not extradite a Montenegrin to Thailand because that Montenegrin cannot be considered as citizen of Thailand then is the Viktor Bout case simply a good example to show that a different nationality from the country someone is requested to be extradite to is no reason to not extradite him.

If a Russian can be extradited from Thailand to the USA, why should it be not possible that a Montenegrin can be extradited from the USA to Thailand?

[whybother]

If, as reported, TS goes to the US with a passport from Montenegro, he will be considered as a citizen of that country by the US authorities.

Why should the Americans extradite a Montenegrin citizen to Thailand? As simple as that...and TS will have a "free ride"...

Well, Thailand extradited a Russian citizen to the USA and the list of crimes including terrorism charges Thaksin is accused of by the Thai authorities is much more 'impressive' than that of this Russian who has done actually nothing in the USA.

Are you STILL going on about that?

Yawn.

If someone argues that the USA would not extradite a Montenegrin to Thailand because that Montenegrin cannot be considered as citizen of Thailand then is the Viktor Bout case simply a good example to show that a different nationality from the country someone is requested to be extradite to is no reason to not extradite him.

If a Russian can be extradited from Thailand to the USA, why should it be not possible that a Montenegrin can be extradited from the USA to Thailand?

So, no reason to bring up the "impressive" terrorism charges then?

[SergeiY]

^^

you could certainly also compare the allegations and charges brought up (or could be brought up) in this two cases of a foreigner is being extradited to a different country. Why not?

what is your point? trolling?

[whybother]

^^

you could certainly also compare the allegations and charges brought up (or could be brought up) in this two cases of a foreigner is being extradited to a different country. Why not?

what is your point? trolling?

I think you need to look into the definition of trolling.

You could compare the charges, but it wasn't really relevant to your initial statement. If you had only posted your second post as an explanation, it would have been just as clear.

Instead you continued your long and winding rant about how Bout shouldn't have been extradited to the US because he didn't do anything wrong.

[SergeiY]

^^

Was the Russian accused of doing something wrong IN the USA? Got he extradited?

Is the Montenegrin accused of doing something wrong IN Thaland? Could he be extradited?

Does nationality somehow matter or not? had Krungbin any valid point or not?

What is your point? bickering? isn't that trolling?

[whybother]

^^

Was the Russian accused of doing something wrong IN the USA? Got he extradited?

Is the Montenegrin accused of doing something wrong IN Thaland? Could he be extradited?

Does nationality somehow matter or not? had Krungbin any valid point or not?

What is your point? bickering? isn't that trolling?

and that completes the circle... Are you STILL going on about that?

[thunder30101]

Thailand didnt do any FAVORS for the us in extraditing Victor Bout, They have an Extradition Treaty, requiring both parties to cooperate when legally bound by arrest warrants in their respective countries !!! You can see how long this legal procedure in extraditing someone takes in the case of Bout. Thailand didnt drag their feet or try to gain favor from the us or russia while the case went thru the legal motions, its just the way the laws work. Im sure someone from the us gov made it clear to Thaksin that if he set foot on us soil he was going to at the very least be arrested and sit in jail until his case made its way thru the courts and MAYBE in the end he would be sent to thailand under the terms of thailand and the usa's extradition treatys. Morons.