Thaksin Continues To Gather Information On Human Rights Violations

[webfact]

CSCE postpones meeting; Thaksin continues to gather information on human rights violations

BANGKOK, Dec 12 – Thailand’s ousted and fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has postponed his visit to the United States to testify to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), earlier scheduled in Washington this Thursday, on alleged human rights violations in Thailand after the agency postponed its session until next month, Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin’s legal advisor, said Sunday.

Mr Noppadon told a press conference that he spoke with Mr Thaksin by telephone last night that the CSCE, also known as the US Helsinki Commission, had postponed its meeting for a few weeks as the US Congress had elected new members which might cause changes of some commission members.

Mr Thaksin is said to have said that postponement of the hearing would allow him ample time to seek a visa to the US and gather more evidence on human rights violations during Thailand’s political turbulence in April and May.

As many as 91 people were killed and more than 1,900 wounded during the confrontation between security personnel and the ‘Red Shirt’ protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Noppadon quoted Mr Thaksin as saying he was confident that once the truth is revealed to the public, social divisiveness in Thailand could be healed and national reconciliation restored.

In 2008, Mr Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years imprisonment for abusing power to facilitate a land purchase deal in Bangkok by his then wife from the Thai state.

Meanwhile, ‘Yellow Shirt’ politician Suriyasai Katasila, said he did not understand why the CSCE invited Mr Thaksin to brief its commissioners on the March-May Bangkok confrontations when the US agency’s mandate is limited to European affairs.

As secretary-general of the New Politics Party, the party which sprang from the ‘Yellow Shirt’ People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the UDD Red Shirts’ arch rival, and comprised of veteran Yellow Shirt activists, Mr Suriyasai said thousands of people were killed in human rights abuses such as Mr Thaksin’s so-called war on drugs when he was in power.

“The US must answer why Mr Thaksin has been invited and on what capacity,” Mr Suriyasai said. “The US knows fully well that Thaksin was behind the demonstrations of the Red Shirt people.”

He urged the Thai government urgently strip the police rank of Mr Thaksin, a retired police lieutenant-colonel, as demanded by the public a long time ago. Although ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin has not had his police rank removed. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-12

[rubl]

At least k. Noppadon is still earning his keep.

As for "Mr Noppadon quoted Mr Thaksin as saying he was confident that once the truth is revealed to the public, social divisiveness in Thailand could be healed and national reconciliation restored." be careful with what you wish for. The truth may come out on human rights violations in a different way than k. Thaksin may like. With him going on record with 'The UN is not my father' maybe he values this CSCE commission more ?

Enough of this, time to ignore him and his 'legal advisor'.

[asiawatcher]

What a croc of crap. Thaksin is an opportunist as is his Canadian mouthpiece. Poor Noppadon having to even field the calls from this convicted crim. Even despite his own criminal activities, the only information he can add is from first hand experience of human rights abuse and wholesale murder. He should be hung dried and quartered then given back to his Thai imprisonment so the rest of the charges (I believe 12) can be brought against him. Then he can spend the rest of his time rotting where he belongs and then he can send accurate reports of Human Rights in Thailand - whilst an inmate!

Edited December 12, 2010 by asiawatcher

[Insight]

Thaksin continues to gather information on human rights violations

... from personal diaries dated between 2001 to 2006.

[Buchholz]

Mr Thaksin is said to have said that postponement of the hearing would allow him ample time to seek a visa to the US

Guess that was a real eye-opener for him when he found out that he gets no special VIP treatment to expedite a visa and they put his application in with all the other normal Montenegrins. He expected his to be approved in just a few days prior to his departure.

He found out different.

[gemini81]

Thaksin continues to gather information on human rights violations

... from personal diaries dated between 2001 to 2006.

no doubt, he will have to scratch off the liquid paper.

The headline reads as though he has no education on human rights or has never heard of it. maybe he's trying to figure out how it would actually apply to someone other than him or his family in their times of desperation

[scorecard]

So he gets 7 to 10 minutes to talk.

Is it event public? Are the talks by 'invitees' broadcast live?

What happens next?

Do the attending members of the commission on the day ask for any clarifications / do they challenge what has been said / are there people in attendance from this commission who have been tasked to be ready to ask for clarifictions and/or to seriously challenge what has been sadi by the 'invitee' / to quickly quote other materials which offer different/clashing versions of the events?

Is there a process to garner further public comments on the 'invitees' dialogue or for the public to further challenge the dialogue of the 'invitee' or any other comments made by commision people, other speakers, etc?

I tried to search their website for these answers but I got nowhere, then again search is not my strength.

Any other members found any answers to these or similar points?

Edited December 12, 2010 by scorecard

[SamritT]

Thaksin is always lie. He has no proof. Only lie.

[JetsetBkk]

"Mr Suriyasai...<snip>... urged the Thai government urgently strip the police rank of Mr Thaksin, a retired police lieutenant-colonel, as demanded by the public a long time ago. Although ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin has not had his police rank removed."

Oh my golly gosh! This is so important. We can't have the former ousted fugitive PM swanning around with that title in front of his name, can we!

What a pathetic lot they are.

[Buchholz]

"Mr Suriyasai...<snip>... urged the Thai government urgently strip the police rank of Mr Thaksin, a retired police lieutenant-colonel, as demanded by the public a long time ago. Although ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin has not had his police rank removed."

Oh my golly gosh! This is so important. We can't have the former ousted fugitive PM swanning around with that title in front of his name, can we!

What a pathetic lot they are.

Not nearly as pathetic as the police who have said since October 2008 that they would strip him of his rank and really not as pathetic as jailed Red Shirt Leader Nattawut, who, as Government Spokesman, said also in October 2008 in regards to Thaksin's own law that he signed off on... and yet has never fulfilled:

Thaksin willing to return royal decorations

The Nation - October 13, 2008

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will likely agree to return all of his royal decorations if required to by law, Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua said yesterday.

If Thaksin fails to appeal the Supreme Court's guilty verdict and two-year jail sentence against him in the Ratchadaphisek land case, the Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao would need to be recalled.

A PM's Office decree endorsed by then-PM Thaksin in August 2005 gives eight criteria for the recalling of royal decorations, including if a person is convicted by the highest court and ordered to serve time in prison.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

epilogue:

Thaksin DID fail to appeal his guilty verdict, but has never complied with the recall law he himself signed.

.

Edited December 12, 2010 by Buchholz

[webfact]

Thaksin's US hearing put off

By The Nation

The US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe has postponed a hearing on Thailand's human rights compliance to next year, the legal adviser of fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

Noppadon Patama said Thaksin was informed of the delay on Saturday and the hearing might be rescheduled for January following of the reconvening of Congress.

"Thaksin told me he welcomed the postponement because he would have more time to arrange his visa and collect evidence for his testimony," Noppadon said.

At the invitation of the commission co-chairman Senator Benjamin Cardin, Thaksin had planned to testify on what he sees as human rights violations related to the red-shirt rally in April and May.

In his earlier remarks made through his lawyer, Thaksin appeared upbeat about arriving in Washington by December 16.

Despite the invitation, it remains highly speculative whether as a fugitive, Thaksin could successfully apply for his visa. Furthermore, the commission has been preoccupied with its hearing on the western Balkans throughout this month.

Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong voiced doubts whether US authorities would grant Thaksin a visa.

-- The Nation 2010-12-13

[trogers]

Mr Thaksin is said to have said that postponement of the hearing would allow him ample time to seek a visa to the US

Guess that was a real eye-opener for him when he found out that he gets no special VIP treatment to expedite a visa and they put his application in with all the other normal Montenegrins. He expected his to be approved in just a few days prior to his departure.

He found out different.

The diplomatic passports from 3rd world countries did not do their job?

[brahmburgers]

CSCE co-chairman Senator Cardin of Maryland has an online email 'contact' form

I just sent him a message, you can too. My note to him mentioned I resided in Maryland between the ages of 2 and 22, though I don't think being a Maryland resident (or former resident) is a requirement for contacting him with concerns.

BTW, I knew T wouldn't be going to the States on Dec 16, and had said so in this forum and in the Eng.lang newspapers out of Bkk. One basic question to Senator Cardin, "did you offer him a formal invitation, or is this some more bogus crapola 'news' thought up by the ever-grandstanding troupe of T and his too-smart-for-their-own-good lawyers?"

Edited December 13, 2010 by brahmburgers

[ianbaggie]

Very simple - the penny just dropped in his cell less head - (see his youtube bumblings if you think hes a coherent thinker) that he could just be rewturned to Thailand to face trial and now poor little Takkies scared!!

[JetsetBkk]

Mr Thaksin is said to have said that postponement of the hearing would allow him ample time to seek a visa to the US

Guess that was a real eye-opener for him when he found out that he gets no special VIP treatment to expedite a visa and they put his application in with all the other normal Montenegrins. He expected his to be approved in just a few days prior to his departure.

He found out different.

The diplomatic passports from 3rd world countries did not do their job?

But I thought Thailand had revoked his diplomatic passport?

[JetsetBkk]

Very simple - the penny just dropped in his cell less head - (see his youtube bumblings if you think hes a coherent thinker) that he could just be rewturned to Thailand to face trial and now poor little Takkies scared!!

I look forward to hearing you speak coherently in Thai.

"cell less head"? Thaksin has millions ($) as "Buchholz" reminds us in his signature. So your comment shows who has the least brain cells here.

[Buchholz]

Mr Thaksin is said to have said that postponement of the hearing would allow him ample time to seek a visa to the US

Guess that was a real eye-opener for him when he found out that he gets no special VIP treatment to expedite a visa and they put his application in with all the other normal Montenegrins. He expected his to be approved in just a few days prior to his departure.

He found out different.

The diplomatic passports from 3rd world countries did not do their job?

But I thought Thailand had revoked his diplomatic passport?

It did. I believe trogers is referring to his Montenegrin passport, which is not a diplomatic passport. His Montenegro passport was one that he purchased for a 1/2 million Euros and with a pledge to invest $300 million in Montenegro.

His Nicaraguan passport is a diplomatic passport. His Ugandan passport is a normal passport, but with his travels now to Mugabe's Zimbabwe, perhaps he'll pick up an additional diplomatic passport from that nation.

.

Edited December 13, 2010 by Buchholz

[chainarong]

Regardless of all , to invite K Thaksin to anything, is like inviting dracula to a blood bank.

[TheyCallmeScooter]

Is it event public? Are the talks by 'invitees' broadcast live?

What happens next?

Do the attending members of the commission on the day ask for any clarifications / do they challenge what has been said / are there people in attendance from this commission who have been tasked to be ready to ask for clarifictions and/or to seriously challenge what has been sadi by the 'invitee' / to quickly quote other materials which offer different/clashing versions of the events?

Is there a process to garner further public comments on the 'invitees' dialogue or for the public to further challenge the dialogue of the 'invitee' or any other comments made by commision people, other speakers, etc?

With the exception of the mandatory "government representative" to present the government's 'case' - which is cute in so many ways when governments are forced to defend themselves in a Kangaroo Court when they used force to restore law and order when facing sustained, violent dissent - I'm fairly certain you will discover that you are on the right track as far as as this particular Commission prefers to operate.

I read tens of thousands of words on the Helsinki Commission the other day and found little to suggest this wasn't going to completely be a fait accompli and an insult to the city and the Accords from which this Commission derived it's name and (ostensible) mission.

It's cute how those who so often subscribe to actions which are 'debatable' or 'questionable' are almost always the same types to abhor transparency and embrace blanket censorship.

In fact, one could make a pretty solid argument that you could basically just generalise that anyone who refuses to openly discuss their actions in a transparent manner...has something to hide which should be (in an ideal world) exposed for the greater good; or are engaging in actions which are unethical (at best).

---------

I suspect this latest news is the result of either Amsterdam's connections getting cold feet at the set plan for some reason...or perhaps this was the plan all along (the 'delay').

[brahmburgers]

Guess that was a real eye-opener for him when he found out that he gets no special VIP treatment to expedite a visa and they put his application in with all the other normal Montenegrins. He expected his to be approved in just a few days prior to his departure.

He found out different.

The diplomatic passports from 3rd world countries did not do their job?

But I thought Thailand had revoked his diplomatic passport?

It did. I believe trogers is referring to his Montenegrin passport, which is not a diplomatic passport. His Montenegro passport was one that he purchased for a 1/2 million Euros and with a pledge to invest $300 million in Montenegro. His Nicaraguan passport is a diplomatic passport. His Ugandan passport is a normal passport, but with his travels now to Mugabe's Zimbabwe, perhaps he'll pick up an additional diplomatic passport from that nation.

And these are just the ones we, the little people at T.Visa, have heard about. (what about Liberia, Dubai, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, and .....?) Thaksin could plausibly have ten or more passports, similar to mafia dons and terrorists. At least one, from Nicaragua, is a diplomatic passport. The Nicaraguans, along with citizens of all the other countries mentioned, might feel embarrassed for being so easily duped by a globe trotting con man like Thaksin.

His modus operandi is obvious: go to a small country, usually poor and run by an iron fist, get a photo shoot with the junta leader, promise gadz of money for investment in the resident big shot's personal biz, have a press conference declaring you're going to invest billions to help the common people crawl out of poverty. That's the formula, and of course, Thaksin doesn't deliver on his promises - except perhaps investing a bit toward the head honcho's pet project. Oh, and T gets his passport, diplomatic or otherwise.

Then like a puff of brown smoke, Thaksin and entourage are off in the private jet to the next small country, and the masquerade kicks in all over again.

Edited December 13, 2010 by brahmburgers

[neverdie]

He's certainly got a VERY SELECTIVE memory, hasnt he

[webfact]

Democrat MP Kraisak Chonhavan: Visa problem could b real reason why CSCE had to postpone its "Thaksin hearing". /via@tulsathit:

[Buchholz]

Thaksin spokesman cum lawyer Noppadon Pattama

Thaksin Postpones U.S. Trip

A legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced that the ex-premier has decided to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as had been requested by the human rights panel.

Noppadon Pattama, who is the legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced that the ex-premier has been asked by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the CSCE, to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as a reshuffle is likely to take place after the U.S. midterm elections.

Noppadon claimed that the postponement will give Thakin more time to sort out his U.S. visa and gather more evidence to present to the commission, particularly regarding the leaked documents from the Department of Special Investigation regarding the deaths during the political violence.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-13

[TheyCallmeScooter]

Democrat MP Kraisak Chonhavan: Visa problem could b real reason why CSCE had to postpone its "Thaksin hearing". /via@tulsathit:

Yup. Is it possible with something like this, that the Old Boys Club don't get it all their own way?

I mean to say, could it be possible that other (less invested or maybe that's not the right word...less involved [?]) public servants didn't get the memo or, if they did, couldn't really care less if Chatham House and the CSCE Chairman and the ICG and media triads of CNN/BBC/Economist/Guardian etc have a set game plan in full production...

I wonder if these kinds of grotesquely almost all-powerful forces don't always get things their way...man, that's a nice thought, as implausible as it seems....

[Buchholz]

gather more evidence to present to the commission, particularly regarding the leaked documents from the Department of Special Investigation regarding the deaths during the political violence.

For additional information on the authenticity of the supposedly leaked documents, see:

[whybother]

Thaksin Postpones U.S. Trip

A legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced that the ex-premier has decided to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as had been requested by the human rights panel.

Noppadon Pattama, who is the legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced that the ex-premier has been asked by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the CSCE, to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as a reshuffle is likely to take place after the U.S. midterm elections.

Noppadon claimed that the postponement will give Thakin more time to sort out his U.S. visa and gather more evidence to present to the commission, particularly regarding the leaked documents from the Department of Special Investigation regarding the deaths during the political violence.

Did Thaksin forget to tell Noppodon that he had cancelled his trip because his family was worried about him?

[Buchholz]

Thaksin Postpones U.S. Trip

A legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced that the ex-premier has decided to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as had been requested by the human rights panel.

Noppadon Pattama, who is the legal adviser to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced that the ex-premier has been asked by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the CSCE, to postpone his trip to the U.S. until January as a reshuffle is likely to take place after the U.S. midterm elections.

Noppadon claimed that the postponement will give Thakin more time to sort out his U.S. visa and gather more evidence to present to the commission, particularly regarding the leaked documents from the Department of Special Investigation regarding the deaths during the political violence.

Did Thaksin forget to tell Noppodon that he had cancelled his trip because his family was worried about him?

That was last week's excuse. As this is Monday, it's the start of a new excuse week.

.

[TheyCallmeScooter]

Why doesn't he simply threaten the CSCE with "negative tension" if they don't approve his boss' visa?

Or does threatening violence only work in Thailand?

REVOCATION OF THAKSIN'S HONOURS

'If they could use law to kill me, they would'

By The Nation

Published on October 29, 2009

Stripping of rank, royal decorations not politically motivated, govt not involved: PM

"Theoretically, the law-enforcement side is created to maintain peace and justice. Law must be enforced fairly and equally, but the government opts to exercise the law to serve a political goal."

After hearing about the government stripping him of his police rank and royal decoration, fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra sent a Twitter note yesterday, saying: "Thanks for your concern about the government's revocation of my royal decorations and police rank. This can be expected of this government... If they could use the law to kill me, they would have done so a long time ago.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva responded by saying government leaders were not involved in the pending revocation of Thaksin's police rank and royal awards.

"The process of stripping him of his official honours is routine for convicts and is not a policy decision to fault him," Abhisit said, adding that the honours were being revoked in accordance with police regulations and relevant provisions.

The Cabinet Secretariat, which is in charge of royal decorations, had also sought legal advice on the matter.The prime minister went on to explain that the Royal Thai Police had gone to great lengths to consult the Council of State instead of making an arbitrary decision to revoke Thaksin's rank of police lieutenant colonel.

The prime minister said all parties concerned, including Thaksin, were obliged to abide by precedents and prescribed sanctions against officers who became convicts. Other former police who had been convicted also had their rank and any decorations revoked, he said.

The process of revoking Thaksin's honours is expected to take a few months and requires a royal command first.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of police affairs, said he expected the revocation to be a routine matter in line with precedents.

He said the issue should not be politicised because Thaksin was being treated just like any other convict.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said two agencies - the Police Bureau and the Cabinet Secretariat - were jointly responsible for the recall of Thaksin's rank and decorations.

Police would have to initiate proceedings in regard to rank granted to Thaksin when he served with the force and the Cabinet Secretariat was in charge of revoking the royal decorations granted to him after his discharge, Satit said.

Recipients of royal decorations have honours rescinded once they are sentenced to a jail term with the exception of misdemeanour and certain violations.

Police spokesman Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the process of stripping Thaksin of his rank would start once the Council of State's legal opinion had been received and acknowledged.

In reply to a legal request from the police, the Council of State said the intent of police regulations was to punish convicted officers who were sentenced to jail because it was seen as a disgrace.

Thaksin's case fell under the prescribed regulations, regardless of which court handed down the sentence.

Police have also sought legal opinion on whether Thaksin's rank should be recalled as he was convicted over a conflict of interest by the Supreme Court's tribunal for political office holders.

In previous cases, former police officers had their ranks stripped once they were sentenced to jail. However, none of these officers faced a verdict from the tribunal.

Meanwhile, the red shirts are threatening to hold a rally in Chiang Mai next month to show solidarity with Thaksin, causing concern that street protests may aim at ousting the government.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama has also warned about tensions if the government insists on stripping the former PM of his honours.

"Thaksin has earned his recognition and royal decorations as a servant of His Majesty," he said, adding that the government was not justified in trying to humiliate Thaksin.

The former PM's punishment over the Ratchadapisek land case was politically motivated, he claimed, and took place after the 2006 coup. So it could not be considered ground for stripping him of his rank and decorations.

Am I the only one getting really tired with hearing of these threats from one side of this 'debate'?

[hanuman1]

What a thoroughly unsavoury chap this Thaksin fellow is.

[whybother]

What a thoroughly unsavoury chap this Thaksin fellow is.

You're finally getting the idea !!