Thaksin Awaiting US Visa Application Answer: Legal Advisor

[webfact]

Thaksin awaiting US visa application answer: legal advisor

BANGKOK Dec 8 - Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has already applied for an entry visa to the United States and is now waiting for the result, hoping to attend a briefing on the kingdom’s situation as he was invited by a US human rights panel, his legal advisor in Thailand said on Wednesday.

Mr Noppadon Pattama disclosed the information on the ex-premier's move following the expectation from some that his conviction in Thailand and outstanding arrest warrant on charges of terrorism may impact the decision of the US officials who must decide whether or not to grant him the visa.

Mr Thaksin was invited to testify at the hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Washington Dec 16 on alleged human rights violations during Thailand's political disruptions from March to mid-May this year which led to as many as 91 deaths and more than 1,900 injuries. He will also be invited to present information on the insurgency in Thailand's three southern border provinces, and alleged violations of free speech due to the enforcement of the ongoing state of emergency.

Showing a copy of the CSCE invitation letter to the ousted premier, Mr Noppadon said Mr Thaksin has already applied for the US entry visa, at the same time, blaming the Thai government and foreign ministry for their alleged attempt to obstruct the issuance of a US visa for the deposed premier.

Mr Noppadon said the invitation, dated Nov 23, indicated that Mr Thaksin will be given seven to ten minutes to speak to the panel at 3pm Dec 16.

The US agency wants to get information on the crackdown on the anti-government protesters, the situation in the insurgency-impacted far South and other human rights violations in the kingdom, said Mr Noppadon, adding that Mr Thaksin's written document must be sent to the CSCE by Dec 14.

As the CSCE has also invited a representative of the Thai government to the briefing, Mr Noppadon advised that the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya should use this opportunity to explain the matter so that the committee will hear two sides of information.

When asked whether the ex-premier's arrest warrant restricts his possible entry to the US, Mr Thaksin's legal advisor said it depends on the decision of the US authorities.

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 a prime land.

Thailand's Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him on terrorism charges for being behind and funding the violent actions of the Red Shirts which led to grenade attacks and arsons in the Thai capital and upcountry during the March-May demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit expressed confidence on Wednesday that Mr Thaksin will not be allowed to enter the US as several European countries have earlier rejected his entry.

Mr Kasit reasoned that the visa will be rejected as the fugitive ex-premier has evaded imprisonment for two years and still faces other charges in the kingdom.

He said many embassies in Bangkok have been well-informed of the ex-premier's status, while Thai embassies overseas also keep reporting the progress on the country's judicial procedures, political situation and national reconciliation process to other countries, directly and indirectly.

"Most countries in Europe and America have rejected Mr Thaksin's entry to their countries, so he (Thaksin) may not be allowed to enter the US despite being invited by members of congress and senators," the Thai foreign minister said.

National Police Bureau spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Prawut Thavornsiri said on Wednesday the national police chief has instructed the foreign department to verify which country Mr Thaksin will depart for the US, so that police will coordinate with concerned agencies to locate where the ex-premier will stay in the US to seek his extradition.

Gen Prawut however conceded it is difficult to identify the fugitive ex-premier's address there and that Thailand has sought help from Interpol, the international police agency, to track him many times and no progress has been reported. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-08

[Soutpeel]

.....the last sentance....blaming Interpol for lack of progress....Did Thailand ever actually ask Interpol in the first place....my memory may be shakey....but dont seem to remember Thailand ever asking...

My money is on the US dening the visa request...they have done it before......everyone concerned "saves face" and so the saga continues

Edited December 8, 2010 by Soutpeel

[hearditallbefore]

What many //deleted by Admin// here, especially the biased Nation newspaper, fail to understand, or were not here before it started, was that our Prime Minister Taksin was ousted by an illegal coup by rivals using the military. At the time of the coup, he was in the USA on this countries behalf and doing a GREAT job.

He was not being investigated for anything, was not up on charges or being tried for anything.

His rivals were angry that he circumvented the tax office by floating his company shares on the stock exchange and getting richer and not sharing with them.

The USA knows that the charges that were brought against him were politically motivated, and false. The USA also knows the political bickering that still continues today is the only thing that keeps him from coming home.

He has been INVITED by the USA to attend. His visa would not have been denied unless there was proof of wrong doing, not just the loud mouth of some yellow shirt saying he is guilty of whatever they can dream up.

His visa has already been approved and he will be attending. Also, he has been granted a visa to EVERY country he has applied to go to. Sloppy reporting and false statements do no one any good. Only the facts mam.

Edited December 8, 2010 by webfact
flame deleted //Admin

[LuckyLew]

What many //deleted by Admin// here, especially the biased Nation newspaper, fail to understand, or were not here before it started, was that our Prime Minister Taksin was ousted by an illegal coup by rivals using the military. At the time of the coup, he was in the USA on this countries behalf and doing a GREAT job.

He was not being investigated for anything, was not up on charges or being tried for anything.

His rivals were angry that he circumvented the tax office by floating his company shares on the stock exchange and getting richer and not sharing with them.

The USA knows that the charges that were brought against him were politically motivated, and false. The USA also knows the political bickering that still continues today is the only thing that keeps him from coming home.

He has been INVITED by the USA to attend. His visa would not have been denied unless there was proof of wrong doing, not just the loud mouth of some yellow shirt saying he is guilty of whatever they can dream up.

His visa has already been approved and he will be attending. Also, he has been granted a visa to EVERY country he has applied to go to. Sloppy reporting and false statements do no one any good. Only the facts mam.

He was doing a great job if u were ion his pay role

Name one legal coup?

[apollo13]

I see Taxsin as an opportunist, making him an excellent businessman but not necessarily an ideal leader of a country .

Edited December 8, 2010 by apollo13

[thailandbluegrass]

I see Taxsin as an opportunist, making him an excellent businessman but not necessarily an ideal leader of a country .

Thaxsin did nothing for the country? Are you awake man? He has done more for Thailand then any other former ever did. Thailand has done nothing but suffer with the "couped in" Government. What year was it that Thailand was declared a "non third world" country? Well it seems to me that after reading the news articles just now about farangs rotting in prisons etc etc etc that Thailand is heading strait back to "Third world" staus.

Sure Thaxsin was corrupt but can anyone here name one that isn't in this world? He did however bring Thailand into the 21st century with things like technology, education, English program funding for Thai's etc etc etc.

He is probably one of the smartest Business man/ Priministers in the world. If he was here now NONE of this third world crap would be happening because the NOW government has no money to stop the problems in the south (Thazsin does) or the flooding problems (Thaxsin does) and the Thai/Cambodia problems etc etc etc.

Trust me as we all know Thailand is heading BACKWARDS right now and needs him to come back and take control. He obviously loves his country and his people or he would simply for the past time he has been away just sit on a humungous bag of money on some beach somewhere with a fishing rod in his hand and watch the world go buy BUT is he doing that? No he is doing everything in his power to bring Thailand back to REALITY.

It's about time that someone can tell the OTHER side of the story and not be limited to crap biast reporting from The Nation and the Government blocking TV shows, websites, News-papers etc etc etc from hearing BOTH sides.

Right now Thailand needs a strong business wise Priminister that will turn the roads around and it is definetly not the current government OBVIOUSLY.

PS, My condolences to the young boy who was stabbed in a school rival fight and killed and also my sorrow for the farang rotting in a jail in Pattaya for 3 months while not being given any attandence by the current Government. Ahbisit should put all authorities in jail for this but you think it will happen?????

Anyways......GOOD LUCK MR THAXSIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whybother]

^

[Roadman]

Go the Thaksy lovers...thanks for getting my day off to a humourous one

[yellow1red1]

What many //deleted by Admin// here, especially the biased Nation newspaper, fail to understand, or were not here before it started, was that our Prime Minister Taksin was ousted by an illegal coup by rivals using the military. At the time of the coup, he was in the USA on this countries behalf and doing a GREAT job.

He was not being investigated for anything, was not up on charges or being tried for anything.

His rivals were angry that he circumvented the tax office by floating his company shares on the stock exchange and getting richer and not sharing with them.

The USA knows that the charges that were brought against him were politically motivated, and false. The USA also knows the political bickering that still continues today is the only thing that keeps him from coming home.

He has been INVITED by the USA to attend. His visa would not have been denied unless there was proof of wrong doing, not just the loud mouth of some yellow shirt saying he is guilty of whatever they can dream up.

His visa has already been approved and he will be attending. Also, he has been granted a visa to EVERY country he has applied to go to. Sloppy reporting and false statements do no one any good. Only the facts mam.

how would you know it's already approved? several Thai related news sources I follow don't know yet

[yellow1red1]

^

The rank and file yellow shirts have some very valid issues. They are mislead 200% by Sondhi. :jap:

[whybother]

^

The rank and file yellow shirts have some very valid issues. They are mislead 200% by Sondhi. :jap:

Name one valid issue.

[rubl]

^

The rank and file yellow shirts have some very valid issues. They are mislead 200% by Sondhi. :jap:

The rank and file red shirts have some very valid issues. They are mislead 100% by k. Thaksin.

(just to get to the correct score yellow1red1 )