Thai Foreign Minister Pleads For A Chance, Evasive On Thaksin

[webfact]

Foreign minister pleads for a chance, evasive on Thaksin

By The Nation

Surapong Towichakchaikul, who rose to the helm of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to the surprise of many, including himself, yesterday urged the public to give him a chance to work, but was evasive on Thaksin Shinawatra.

Surapong, known for wearing a Thaksin mask at a rally and for protesting Britain's revocation of the ousted leader's visa, was asked about speculation that he would help Thaksin get back his Thai passport.

"Let me study the issue first," he said. In the same interview, Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual.

"I'd never thought I would get this post. I just knew about the appointment on Tuesday evening," he said yesterday, "I must admit I am new to this field".

The foreign portfolio is very important at a time when Thailand needs to improve ties with Cambodia and deal with hot issues relating to Thaksin Shinawatra's legal status.

By law, Thaksin is a fugitive from his home country to avoid serving a jail term. Since April 2009, Thaksin has been without his Thai passport.

Political observers suspect that Surapong, a distant relative of Thaksin, has managed to get the foreign portfolio because of their close ties.

Surapong, however, strongly dismissed any suggestion that he had received this important post because Thaksin had entrusted him with the mission to bring him home.

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said, "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

However, Surapong fell short of ruling out the possibility of giving Thaksin back his Thai passport.

When asked whether Thaksin would get it back, Surapong said, "I will be studying relevant information first. If the process [to revoke Thaksin's passport] is not right, we have to fix it."

Amid criticism that he was not appropriate for the foreign minister's post, Surapong said he was ready to listen to advice and information given by government officials.

"I am going to be in the executive position. I am there to make an informed decision," he said.

He asked his critics for time to prove himself and promised to work to the fullest of his abilities.

"I am confident I will be able to do it," he said. He had served in the House committee on finance before.

Surapong said his policies were to improve ties with neighbouring countries, restore Thailand's image, and turn a battleground into a trade zone.

Regarding the Thai-Cambodia border dispute, Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said he believed Yingluck should talk to her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen about the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, which would pave the way for withdrawal of troops in the disputed zone and the stationing of Indonesian observers.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered removal of the troops.

"We will have to follow the ICJ order but we have to find a way to do it in a win-win manner," Yuthasak said.

He said the win-win situation would take place only when Thailand and Cambodia saw each other as friends.

"If Hun Sen gives the green light, I will invite my Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh to Bangkok and I will later head to Cambodia for talks with him," Yuthasak said.

He said he had met Tea Banh at many meetings before.

Yuthasak expected Yingluck to make the first move because he said Hun Sen apparently had a good attitude towards her.

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan also said that given Yingluck's good ties with the Cambodian government, he expected her administration to be able to improve Thai-Cambodian relationships.

-- The Nation 2011-08-11

[OzMick]

When asked about Thaksin's passport "Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual." He also could have mentioned that the Passport Office is at Chaeng Wattana, where Thai citizens go to apply for same.

The next question would then be "What is Thailand's policy on issuing visas to Montenegrin criminals?"

He seems to have the essential qualifications for the job:

Family member

Ability to follow orders

Capable of reading e-mails

Skill at speaking in platitudes and evasions

Not easily embarrassed

Experience with dealings with foreign nationals (but only for relatively short periods of time)

Edited August 11, 2011 by craigt3365
Improper use of Thaksin's name

[Gary A]

When asked about Thaksin's passport "Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual." He also could have mentioned that the Passport Office is at Chaeng Wattana, where Thai citizens go to apply for same.

The next question would then be "What is Thailand's policy on issuing visas to Montenegrin criminals?"

He seems to have the essential qualifications for the job:

Family member

Ability to follow orders

Capable of reading e-mails

Skill at speaking in platitudes and evasions

Not easily embarrassed

Experience with dealings with foreign nationals (but only for relatively short periods of time)

And so! You would prefer the partying at the hijacked airport Kasit? Perhaps you should consider that your paranoid posts reveal your sour grapes hateful attitude. Why do you hate and fear the changes that may benefit the country?

Edited August 11, 2011 by craigt3365
Improper use of Thaksin's name

[SomTumTiger]

He couldn't be worse than Kasit - that guy was a total buffoon.

[Sydebolle]

Time will tell.......

[Buchholz]

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said, "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul in contact with Thaksin.... errr, rather "not in contact" with Thaksin.

By law, Thaksin is a fugitive from his home country to avoid serving a jail term. Since April 2009, Thaksin has been without his Thai passport.

Political observers suspect that Surapong, a distant relative of Thaksin, has managed to get the foreign portfolio because of their close ties.

Never mind the law, being in a fugitive status didn't stop the now-Foreign Minister Surapong from "not contacting" his relative Thaksin in Dubai (as per above).

.

.

Edited August 11, 2011 by Buchholz

[rixalex]

And so! You would prefer the partying at the hijacked airport Kasit? Perhaps you should consider that your paranoid posts reveal your sour grapes hateful attitude. Why do you hate and fear the changes that may benefit the country?

Were all those, myself included - (yourself perhaps too), who spoke out against the appointment of Kasit to Foreign Minister back in 2008, guilty of a sour grapes hateful attitude? No, we weren't. He was simply a bad appointment whose history made him totally inappropriate for the job.

I don't see the appointment of Surapong any differently. He is a Shinawatra family member with a history of walking around with a cardboard cut-out face of Thaksin on his bonce. How will he possibly be capable of making the delicate and tricky decisions he will surely face, without accusations of him having a conflict of interests?

[spidermike007]

It is astonishing that in this time of crisis, with Thailand facing so many challenges, that nothing but cronyism would come into play, with the appointment of this guy. I have beeb searching for any information on him. Here is something I found in the media: On the reason for giving the post of foreign minister to Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towichakchaikul, Ying-luck said Surapong had been an MP for many years and had participated in many House committees. He also had experience working in a private company with international connections and he understood trade issues very well. Officers at the Foreign Ministry would help him with the diplomatic work, she said. Prime Minister Yingluck has appealed to the public to let her Cabinet do its work for at least six months before criticizing it.

I is hard not to criticize her, when she starts out of the gate making decisions like this. The last FM was eaten up, and spit out onto the curb every time he met with a world leader, or another foreign minister. Thailand continues the tradition of completely discounting the importance of relations with the world at large. The insolence, arrogance, narrow mindedness, and lack of an open mind to the world continues. Nothing short of astonishing!

[OzMick]

When asked about Takki's passport "Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual." He also could have mentioned that the Passport Office is at Chaeng Wattana, where Thai citizens go to apply for same.

The next question would then be "What is Thailand's policy on issuing visas to Montenegrin criminals?"

He seems to have the essential qualifications for the job:

Family member

Ability to follow orders

Capable of reading e-mails

Skill at speaking in platitudes and evasions

Not easily embarrassed

Experience with dealings with foreign nationals (but only for relatively short periods of time)

And so! You would prefer the partying at the hijacked airport Kasit? Perhaps you should consider that your paranoid posts reveal your sour grapes hateful attitude. Why do you hate and fear the changes that may benefit the country?

Ah so! I don't believe that I have ever expressed support of PAD or their New Politics Party, but don't let that stop your little rant. I do however have a strong distaste for politicians who are overtly corrupt and/or incompetent - if that makes me paranoid so be it. As for opposing change that WILL benefit the country, I am all for it. The following quote sums up my feelings on this matter precisely and accurately:

"..... the country badly needs a new kind of politics that doesn't rely simply on populist policies that attract votes but can't really solve serious deep-rooted problems..........."

It might be a little hard for you to grasp, but old-style Thaksinist policies such as propping up inefficient, labour-intensive and low productivity industries because there a a lot of votes in it, will do nothing to give this country the change it needs. Emptying the Treasury on handouts to buy the votes of short-sighted people will prevent the creation of an education system that will lift them from poverty. And arbitrarily jacking up wages will only lead to an inflation spiral that will harm the less-well-off the most.

BTW Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't someone out to get you.

[craigt3365]

A post with an incorrect spelling of Thaksin has been corrected. Please stay with his correct name, don't use inappropriate nicknames.

:jap:

[Buchholz]

The last FM was eaten up, and spit out onto the curb every time he met with a world leader, or another foreign minister. Thailand continues the tradition of completely discounting the importance of relations with the world at large. The insolence, arrogance, narrow mindedness, and lack of an open mind to the world continues. Nothing short of astonishing![/font]

Current FM Surapong has a head start dealing with Hun Sen.

He here is, and once again "not in contact" with his relative Thaksin, and the long-in-place Cambodian PM.

[hellodolly]

Let me get this straight Surapong wants to study the issue of Thaksin's passport,

How did a man get to the position of Foreign Minister and not know the details. Maybe he meant study the law to find a loophole.

I wonder how many other criminals running from the law out side of Thailand are going to have him studying their case. I will admit I was surprised with his selection. I really thought that the PT could improve on what the Dems had in that portfolio. Silly me.

[Buchholz]

Thai Foreign Minister Pleads For A Chance, Evasive On Thaksin

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said, "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul in contact with Thaksin.... errr, rather "not in contact" with Thaksin.

The new Foreign Minister Surapong is not "Evasive on Thaksin" in today's news:

New Thai foreign minister seeks Japanese entry permit for Thaksin

BANGKOK (Kyodo) -- Thailand's new foreign minister has asked Japanese authorities to facilitate a visit to Japan later this month by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by issuing him a special entry permit, even though he is ostensibly a convicted criminal and a fugitive from justice, according to sources.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul made the request in the talks Thursday with Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima, the sources said.

Under Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a foreigner who has been convicted of breaking a law and sentenced to imprisonment of one year or more shall be denied permission to land in Japan.

The talks between Surapong, a close Thaksin aide, and the Japanese ambassador came a day after Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand's new prime minister, was officially sworn into office along with her Cabinet ministers.

Continues:

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110812p2g00m0dm001000c.html

(Mainichi Japan) August 12, 2011

.

[Crushdepth]

Thai Foreign Minister Pleads For A Chance, Evasive On Thaksin

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said, "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul in contact with Thaksin.... errr, rather "not in contact" with Thaksin.

The new Foreign Minister Surapong is not "Evasive on Thaksin" in today's news:

New Thai foreign minister seeks Japanese entry permit for Thaksin

BANGKOK (Kyodo) -- Thailand's new foreign minister has asked Japanese authorities to facilitate a visit to Japan later this month by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by issuing him a special entry permit, even though he is ostensibly a convicted criminal and a fugitive from justice, according to sources.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul made the request in the talks Thursday with Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima, the sources said.

Under Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a foreigner who has been convicted of breaking a law and sentenced to imprisonment of one year or more shall be denied permission to land in Japan.

The talks between Surapong, a close Thaksin aide, and the Japanese ambassador came a day after Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand's new prime minister, was officially sworn into office along with her Cabinet ministers.

Continues:

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110812p2g00m0dm001000c.html

(Mainichi Japan) August 12, 2011

.

The disgusting abuse of state resources continues. Nice to see the country is being run for the personal benefit of Thaksin.

[TAWP]

He couldn't be worse than Kasit - that guy was a total buffoon.

Don't sell him so short, I think with due time he can prove himself to be worse...

New Thai foreign minister seeks Japanese entry permit for Thaksin

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110812p2g00m0dm001000c.html

Well, that was fast...even for him.

Edited August 12, 2011 by TAWP

[nurofiend]

what a joke

[moe666]

On the last night of a grand Buddhist Holiday (take your pick) all Thais will nod off to sleep as well as all the Falang expats(after drinking the magic cool-ade) and when they wake up the next morning guess who will be back. And all of the selected cabinet members will be protesting ignorance as they prostate themselves before their gandmaster and pay check. They will protest it is the will of the Buddha our master has returned.

Edited August 12, 2011 by moe666

[Buchholz]

He couldn't be worse than Kasit - that guy was a total buffoon.

Don't sell him so short, I think with due time he can prove himself to be worse...

New Thai foreign minister seeks Japanese entry permit for Thaksin

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110812p2g00m0dm001000c.html

Well, that was fast...even for him.

With the 4th version of his despotic rule, he's learned how to streamline things.

.

[Buchholz]

Thai Foreign Minister Pleads For A Chance, Evasive On Thaksin

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said, "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul in contact with Thaksin.... errr, rather "not in contact" with Thaksin.

The new Foreign Minister Surapong is not "Evasive on Thaksin" in today's news:

New Thai foreign minister seeks Japanese entry permit for Thaksin

BANGKOK (Kyodo) -- Thailand's new foreign minister has asked Japanese authorities to facilitate a visit to Japan later this month by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by issuing him a special entry permit, even though he is ostensibly a convicted criminal and a fugitive from justice, according to sources.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul made the request in the talks Thursday with Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima, the sources said.

Under Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a foreigner who has been convicted of breaking a law and sentenced to imprisonment of one year or more shall be denied permission to land in Japan.

Apparently Japan might be willing to make an exception to their convicted criminal law because of their pressing need to have him visit their country:

The law can make an exception, saying the justice minister can issue a special permit for a person if circumstances requiring his or her entry into Japan are recognised.

-- The Nation 2011-08-13

[scorecard]

When asked about Thaksin's passport "Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual." He also could have mentioned that the Passport Office is at Chaeng Wattana, where Thai citizens go to apply for same.

The next question would then be "What is Thailand's policy on issuing visas to Montenegrin criminals?"

He seems to have the essential qualifications for the job:

Family member

Ability to follow orders

Capable of reading e-mails

Skill at speaking in platitudes and evasions

Not easily embarrassed

Experience with dealings with foreign nationals (but only for relatively short periods of time)

And so! You would prefer the partying at the hijacked airport Kasit? Perhaps you should consider that your paranoid posts reveal your sour grapes hateful attitude. Why do you hate and fear the changes that may benefit the country?

And your response:

- If your not red your therefore yellow.

- Many would doubt this guys ability to do this job. This position is regarded as a very senior ministerial job in any country, and the foreign affairs minister needs very special skills and knowledge, and past experience. This guy has none of these - on about a par with noppadon who turned out to be not much more than a devoted 'yes man' and in reality an embarrassing foreign affairs minister. But then again, being a distant relation of the paymaster and having shown many times that he wears thaksin as his badge of honour, guess for this government (paymasters family) that makes him qualified.

And already making personal representations to the Japanese ambassador on behalf of the paymaster, his idol. Who is his employer? Thailand or thaksin?

Love to hear yingluck's reaction to being asked why her foreign affairs minister is making personal representations to the Japanese on behalf of a convicted and absconded criminal.

My guess is that it won't be long before the issues that are going to come out of the closet will get her into a bind that she cannot answer without entangling other issues which all bounce back and make it all unworkable.

Edited August 13, 2011 by scorecard

[scorecard]

When asked about Thaksin's passport "Surapong said he was appointed to work for the country, not any individual." He also could have mentioned that the Passport Office is at Chaeng Wattana, where Thai citizens go to apply for same.

The next question would then be "What is Thailand's policy on issuing visas to Montenegrin criminals?"

He seems to have the essential qualifications for the job:

Family member

Ability to follow orders

Capable of reading e-mails

Skill at speaking in platitudes and evasions

Not easily embarrassed

Experience with dealings with foreign nationals (but only for relatively short periods of time)

And so! You would prefer the partying at the hijacked airport Kasit? Perhaps you should consider that your paranoid posts reveal your sour grapes hateful attitude. Why do you hate and fear the changes that may benefit the country?

And your response:

- If your not red your therefore yellow.

- Many would doubt this guys ability to do this job. This position is regarded as a very senior ministerial job in any country, and the foreign affairs minister needs very special skills and knowledge, and past experience. This guy has none of these - on about a par with noppadon who turned out to be not much more than a devoted 'yes man' and in reality an embarrassing foreign affairs minister. But then again, being a distant relation of the paymaster and having shown many times that he wears thaksin as his badge of honour, guess for this government (paymasters family) that makes him qualified.

And already making personal representations to the Japanese ambassador on behalf of the paymaster, his idol. Who is his employer? Thailand or thaksin?

Love to hear yingluck's reaction to being asked why her foreign affairs minister is making personal representations to the Japanese on behalf of a convicted and absconded criminal.

My guess is that it won't be long before the issues that are going to come out of the closet will get her into a bind that she cannot answer without entangling other issues which all bounce back and make it all unworkable.

Further, from the Nation:

"Apparently Japan might be willing to make an exception to their convicted criminal law because of their pressing need to have him visit their country".

So what can thaksin contribute in regard to to japans' problems which would justify going outside of the law? Any suggestions?

[webfact]

Thai Foreign Minister: No reissuance of diplomatic passport to Thaksin

Follow this link:

[TAWP]

Well, no, he couldn't possible be given a diplomatic passport as he isn't in the government or employed by them for a foreign mission.

The issue is if they are going to try to re-issue his normal passport...but nice try to muddle the water there Mr FM.

[Crushdepth]

Well, no, he couldn't possible be given a diplomatic passport as he isn't in the government or employed by them for a foreign mission.

The issue is if they are going to try to re-issue his normal passport...but nice try to muddle the water there Mr FM.

Yeah how's that for a lame attempt at misdirection!

[rixalex]

Is TV owned by The Nation News rag All it seems to do is post anti Thaksin or anti present government post . It all looks very bias

More than enough pro Thaksin and pro present government posts here to keep you happy. If you aren't, why not post some yourself? Nobody to stop you.

[Thaddeus]

So what can thaksin contribute in regard to to japans' problems which would justify going outside of the law? Any suggestions?

Perhaps his head got that shape by soaking up unwanted radiation.

[Crushdepth]

Is TV owned by The Nation News rag All it seems to do is post anti Thaksin or anti present government post . It all looks very bias

Or they might be a bunch of crooks?

[rubl]

Today is truly the 13th of August? you mean this is only TWO DAYS old:

"Posted 2011-08-11 05:40:22

Foreign minister pleads for a chance, evasive on Thaksin"

And today:

"Posted Today, 05:41 (2011-08-13)

Japan gets Thaksin visit plea"

The request for approval of Thaksin's visit was made by newly appointed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul when he met with Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima on Thursday."

It starts to look like this government under PM Yingluck is only a proxy government, care-taking for a single guy "one man, one party, no compromise"

[siampolee]

Rubl.# 29.

It starts to look like this government under PM Yingluck is only a proxy government, care-taking for a single guy "one man, one party, no compromise"

It just confirms that the recent election with its strategically aimed " bonus payments" was devoted to the welfare of just one man and his family , not the welfare of the Thai people or Thailand.[/b]

Edited August 13, 2011 by metisdead
Using bold font is unnecessary.

[webfact]

Democrat urges MFA to explain its return of Thaksin’s passport

Follow this link: