Japan Allows Thaksin Visit

[webfact]

Japan allows Thaksin visit

By The Nation

Thaksin to hold news conference, give lecture; Surapong says he'll consider returning ex-premier's passport

Japan has granted a special entry permit to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for his high profile visit to the country, Thani Thongpakdi, spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said yesterday.

Thani still had no idea when Thaksin would go there and what kind of travel document he would use.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul expressed his appreciation on learning his former boss would be able to go to Japan.

"I'm glad former prime minister Thaksin will be able to enter Japan. The decision to issue a visa for the former premier is purely at the discretion of the Japanese authorities," Surapong told Kyodo News by telephone.

Thaksin, who is believed to be living in Dubai, contacted the Japanese consulate-general in the United Arab Emirates to ask for permission to enter Japan. The Japanese Foreign and Justice ministries are now arranging his permit, according to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun.

Thaksin needs special permission to visit Japan since the country's immigration control and refugee recognition law prohibits any foreigner who has been sentenced to a prison term of more than one year from entering the country.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years for abuse of authority in granting permission to his wife to purchase a piece of land from a stage agency while he was holding a position in government. He was ousted by a military coup in 2006 before the conviction.

Thaksin, who was invited by the Japan, China, Asean Institute of Economy and Culture, plans to hold a news conference and give a lecture during his visit. He also plans to visit areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan would be the first country Thaksin would visit after the new government led by his younger sister Yingluck was formed. Unlike the previous government under Abhisit Vejjajiva, the new government under the Shinawatra clan has no policy to block the movement of the former premier in foreign countries.

Thaksin was banned from entering many countries during Abhisit's government. Germany was the first country to lift the travel ban on him and he reportedly visited the country on August 5, just before the formation of the new government.

The new government reportedly would facilitate his travelling and activities abroad by issuing him a new Thai passport that was revoked a few years ago during Abhisit's administration.

Yingluck said her government has no policy on the matter but the Foreign Ministry has the authority to issue the document. The ministry would do its job for the benefit of the people in according with the rule of law, she said. The ministry would consider all passport requests equally, she said.

Surapong said he would consider returning Thaksin's passport according to the ministry's regulations.

The ministry's 2005 regulation on travel documents would not authorise officials to issue a passport to a person who is serving a sentence for a crime or is freed on bail if the court, governing officials or police do not allow the person to have a passport.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

[Buchholz]

According to the other paper, Surapong said this permission to visit by the convicted fugitive from justice had yet to be officially confirmed by Japanese officials.

.

Edited August 14, 2011 by Buchholz

[endure]

Walt Disney died too soon

[KhunBJ]

Thaksin, who was invited by the Japan, China, Asean Institute of Economy and Culture, plans to hold a news conference and give a lecture during his visit. He also plans to visit areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

I wonder why they invited him, I am sure some of the debaters here can some up with a good conspiracy theory ..;-)

[Bakseedaa]

Walt Disney died too soon

Japan does owe Thailand rent moneys from WW2.... maybe Thailand will waive the interest payments now...

[thaiorchidsource]

Rule of law? There is no rule of law when you can buy the law. Even in Japan!

[webfact]

Thai FM spokesman Thani: Japanese embassy confirms entry visa granted to Thaksin, but type of visa or period of visit not yet known /MCOT

[khaowong1]

Thailand is a laughing stock to most of the world. This is not surprising. His sister being elected Prime Minister would be like Richard Nixons sister being elected President. No, even worse.. Nixon was pardoned.

[OzMick]

"The decision to issue a visa for the former premier is purely at the discretion of the Japanese authorities," Surapong

But it was asked for by the new govt's FM, putting pressure on Japan to accede or insult a neighbour's new regime.

[BigSkip]

Politics, no matter what country never ceases to amaze me.............

[geriatrickid]

Isn't this special.

[OzMick]

Isn't this special.

Only if you are using the word in its PC replacement for "retarded"

[webfact]

Thaksin uses Monte passport requesting visa 2 Japan, d trip organised by Japanese private. I comply w/ d law: Surapong #fm101" /via @Borilux /via@Aim_NT

[webfact]

Surapong claimed Japan envoy had met him to ask if Bkk would object to Thaksin visit and he said no. /via@tulsathit /via@Bancha_nna

[anon467367354]

I guess now Thaksin can say some in the world don't think he's a criminal because if he was then he wouldn't be allowed to travel to Japan.I don't understand how he can be re-issued a Thai passport if he declared he wasn't a Thai citizen anymore, and did that by showing passports from other countries although I know that has nothing to do with going to Japan.

[moe666]

So far so good all according to plan

[webfact]

Abhisit visits flood victims in northern provinces; his opposition Democrats to probe Japanese visa issued to fugitive ex-PM Thaksin /MCOT

[Buchholz]

Thaksin uses Monte passport requesting visa 2 Japan, /via @Borilux /via@Aim_NT

The best half million Euros he ever spent...

Montenegro Economy Shrinks, Government Now Selling Passports to Survive

Montenegro will draw a direct economic benefit from granting citizenship to ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Balkan country’s finance minister told Reuters on Wednesday. The country it seems is so desperate for anything it has resorted to selling passports to fugitives to fund the Government, a bad sign for the future of Montenegro.

“He will benefit the economy by introducing new investors or investing himself,” Luksic said sheepishly on the sidelines of an investment forum in London. Many believe corruption in Montenegro spreads to the very top and this is what Thaksin Shinawatra has used to obtain a passport. Thaksin is an expert on corrupt practices after presiding over the most corrupt government Asia has ever seen.

Montenegro: Citizenship For Sale?

The government of Montenegro has announced it will be offering an “economic citizenship” to applicants who invest at least €500,000 in the country.

While Montenegro sees that offer as an opportunity to boost its economy, it has caused diverse reactions in the European Union, who has recently granted Montenegro’s citizens with visa-free entry in the Schengen zone.

"I see it as highly questionable that it should be enough to invest an amount of 500,000 Euros in a country to get its citizenship," Stephan Mayer, spokesman for home affairs and legal policy for coalition partner Christian Social Union (CSU), told Reuters.

The German media have reported that Montenegro has already given citizenship to the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is wanted under the corruption charges in his home country. Accordingly, Shinawatra pays for his “safe haven” by investing in the Montenegro’s tourism.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6489606-montenegro-citizenship-for-sale

Edited August 15, 2011 by Buchholz

[alanferdi]

No one is above the law. I mean no one! There are civil laws, Traffic laws and International laws - they all share one binding factor. Law - Legal advice working. It is the law that puts in a system and gives guidelines to peace and democracy. Look at any nations traffic system and you will understand the average publics understanding and attitude of law - Red light means STOP. Double lines mean no over taking. Wearing a helmet self protection and consideration of fellow citizens. The point - Thailand has to learn what it means to follow the law to the letter. Not about loosing face and doing people favours to keep their face. No one looses face in keeping the law.

[ableguy]

No one is above the law. I mean no one! There are civil laws, Traffic laws and International laws - they all share one binding factor. Law - Legal advice working. It is the law that puts in a system and gives guidelines to peace and democracy. Look at any nations traffic system and you will understand the average publics understanding and attitude of law - Red light means STOP. Double lines mean no over taking. Wearing a helmet self protection and consideration of fellow citizens. The point - Thailand has to learn what it means to follow the law to the letter. Not about loosing face and doing people favours to keep their face. No one looses face in keeping the law.

And your point is ??????

[webfact]

Thaksin to Lecture in Japan, PM Denies Plan to Return Her Brother's Passport

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirms that her government has no plans to return her brother’s passport, adding that the issue will be left to the discretion of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated that her administration has not issued a policy about returning the diplomatic passport to her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still on the run from a two-year jail term handed down by the Supreme Court for politicians.

Yingluck said the issue will be left for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to oversee and that she will not interfere with the process, but has asked the ministry to treat everyone fairly.

Yingluck also denied reports that Thaksin offered to represent Thailand as a trade representative to help broker investment deals for the country with foreign businesspeople.

She said she has never spoken to him about this issue.

Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Towijakchaikul denied speculations that the ministry is preparing to restore Thaksin’s diplomatic passport and said he is surprised that a report like this is emerging at this time.

Surapong said he will start working on Wednesday and noted he will only look into this issue if ministry officials propose it.

Surapong said he is not worried about criticism that he has been appointed to this post only to help Thaksin and is asking for six months to prove himself.

Surapong added that he met with the Japanese ambassador to Thailand at the request of the ambassador at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters as Japan wants to ask about the Thai government’s stance on allowing Thaksin's entry into Japan as Thaksin has requested.

Surapong said he left it up to the Japanese government to decide.

Thaksin is due to visit Japan the next week to give a lecture on the role of Southeast Asian economies in the global arena

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Chawanont Indarakomalyasut, who is the secretary to the foreign affairs minister, stated that an initial inspection found that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had not raised the issue of reinstating Thaksin’s diplomatic passport.

He added authority regarding the issue does not rest only with the ministry, but must include the police, prosecutors, and the Supreme Court.

Chawanont also said the previous administration never asked Japan to ban entry for Thaksin, but the issue is becoming a problem because Japan has a law which bans entry for those who have been sentenced to more than one-year in jail.

He added that if Japan allows Thaksin to enter, it would have to clarify why it is doing so.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-15

[kumsamut]

Rule of law? There is no rule of law when you can buy the law. Even in Japan!

Don't you think maybe be was framed? And what about the killing of people on the street in Bkk? You forgot to mention?

[Colin Yai]

Rule of law? There is no rule of law when you can buy the law. Even in Japan!

Don't you think maybe be was framed? And what about the killing of people on the street in Bkk? You forgot to mention?

Yeah sure Lest we forget,over 2,500 people lost their lives in Thaksins "war on drugs" many of them "FRAMED" , what YOU bring to mind kinda pales into insignificance by comparison ,maybe you too have forget to mention it eh. Edited August 15, 2011 by Colin Yai

[webfact]

Japanese media reports Japanese consulate to UAE helped Thaksin obtain visa to enter Japan /TAN_Network

PM denies govt's involvement in Interpol's cancellation of arrest warrant for Thaksin /TAN_Network

[anon467367354]

Yingluck said the issue will be left for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to oversee and that she will not interfere with the process, but has asked the ministry to treat everyone fairly.

wasn't a guy with zero experience in foreign affairs appointed to that position as a payback favor by Thaksin who is by the way not involved in any way with appointing positions in the new government's cabinet?

[samurai]

Looks like that in the diplomatic circles they are happy now that there isn't any annoying Kasit anymore.

[webfact]

Abhisit Demands Examination of Thaksin's Entry Permit to Japan

The former premier says Japan's plan to allow fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to enter the country must be thoroughly reviewed.

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva commented on Japan's plan to issue a special entry permit to convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying that Japan's decision should be reviewed carefully.

Abhisit said any state officials found to have been involved in assisting the fugitive should be prosecuted.

The former prime minister noted that the issue must be widely discussed as the public has yet to receive any benefits from the new government, but Thaksin has.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party member and former president of Thailand Trade Representatives Kiat Sitthiamorn said he is unaware of Thakin's attempt to negotiate trade deals between Thailand and Japan, with the aim of pushing trade value to one trillion baht in four years as was stated by a Pheu Thai party-list MP.

He noted that the Commerce Ministry's trade representatives are normally appointed and stationed in foreign countries.

There is also a trade representative office that is responsible for promoting international trade on behalf of the prime minister.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-15

[webfact]

Surapong admits he asked Japan to consider approving entry visa for Thaksin

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul admitted Monday that he asked the Japanese ambassador to Thailand to consider approving entry visa for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

But he said the ambassador asked him if the new government was object to foreign countries granting entry visa to Thaksin and he replied that the new government had no such policy.

"So, I told the ambassador that please help, Surapong said, adding that it was up to the Japanese government to make the final decision.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

[metisdead]

Just another reminder that posts using derogatory nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be deleted. If you don’t want your post to be deleted, spell people’s names correctly.

[lingyaiyai]

Thailand is a laughing stock to most of the world. This is not surprising. His sister being elected Prime Minister would be like Richard Nixons sister being elected President. No, even worse.. Nixon was pardoned.

Richard Nixon didn't have a sister: http://en.wikipedia....ixon#Early_life