I think this is Japan's fault mostly. Do they normally grant visas to criminal fugitives? Of course not. As long as he has that record, they are treating him in a special way. They shouldn't have even got involved with Thai politics by asking the minister.

It's Abhisits fault. And the Japanese way to show him what they think of him and his demands.

Don't forget it was Abhisit statement that Thaksin is "banned" in Japan. Making big noise and all that. No one needs that nor wants him.

The Japanese government has no problem with Thai governments, old or new. Governments are mostly internal business (except the Thai proxy run by a Montenegran). 'Japan' is not making a 'big noise', that's your interpretation. The Japanese government is most likely only worried about protocol and commerce. With the major Japanese investments in Thailand over the last two years, they are worried about continuity. No more, no less. Keep in mind that countries where 'face' is so important, to thumb one's nose to some other government, or even ex-PM is not done at all. That's more Western style

BTW, the TV topic you refer to is from February 2009

Edited August 15, 201114 yr by rubl

NATIONAL

YINGLUCK GOVERNMENT

Yingluck govt requests Japan's visa for Thaksin : Edano

By Xinhua

The Nation

Published on August 15, 2011

Japan on Monday said it had issued a visa to former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, following a personal request made by Thailand's new government to grant him special entry to Japan, senior Japanese official said.

Japan issued a special visa for Thaksin Shinawatra, who has lived in exile since a 2006 military coup after it received a personal request from the new Thai government of Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's younger sister.

"In light of the request from the Thai government and various related considerations, we have decided to issue a visa," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said.

Bangkok urged the approval of Thaksin's visa, saying that it would help improve bilateral ties between both nations and be of benefit to the victims of the March double disasters, Edano said.

"The Thai government takes a policy of not prohibiting former prime minister Thaksin from visiting any country and requested that Japan issue a visa," Edano told reporters Monday.

Edano said Thaksin hoped to visit Japan from August 22 to 28, to visit regions devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Thaksin has been residing in Dubai to dodge a jail term for corruption. According to Japanese law, people who have been found guilty of a crime carrying a jail sentence of more than one year are not allowed entry into the country, although on rare occasions exceptions have been made.

Thaksin's corruption conviction came with a 2-year prison sentence.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

Will Thaksin now go to the US to front the committee investigating last years riots?

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

Perhaps you could share your source for this?

Common sense one would imagine. Kasit was a bungling imbecile and Thailand is better off without him interfering in foreign affairs IMO.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

:jap:

:partytime2:

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.

You are right of course. In theory. Your error is in this: "Thailand has to learn". Thailand does not learn, has no intention of learning, does not need to learn. Anything. Thais already know everything. It is just others who do not understand this.

Seems like most of the news coming out of this new government is about Thaksin. Are we surprised?

Not surprised at all as he is their priority.

.

yes he is and to many people also , may he return home soon !

Seems like most of the news coming out of this new government is about Thaksin. Are we surprised?

Not surprised at all as he is their priority.

yes he is and to many people also , may he return home soon !

Agree! Plus go straight to jail as any registered fugitive arriving in Thailand will be forced to under the laws of this land.

Anyway the OP is about Japan granting k. Thaksin a visa to visit their country after considering the special request brought to them by the Thai government. One of these days the Thai government will get round to governing for country and it's people. Less than 1-1/2 month after 'landslide' victory, so clearly to early to ask what policies, what action, Rome wasn't build in a day. A matter of priorities, 'one man, one party, no compromise'

Inflammatory post and replies to it deleted.

.

Surpong Tovijakchaikul, Thailand’s new foreign minister, said Mr. Thaksin had requested the visa on his own.

- New York Times / August 15, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/world/asia/16thaksin.html?_r=1

.

How long before the imperious former leader returns I wonder?

Thailand's Family Affair May Unnerve Markets

So much for patience in Thailand.

The nation's new foreign minister starts Wednesday, yet the most tantalizing diplomatic question isn't waiting for Surapong Tovichakchaikul to come to work: When will exiled former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra return to Bangkok? A lot sooner than many of us thought, it appears.

When Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was running for the premiership, she demurred whenever asked about her brother's homecoming. Opponents worried Yingluck would move too quickly to promote amnesty for Thaksin, who has been living in Dubai since fleeing a 2008 jail term for abuse of power.

To engineer her brother's return, Yingluck must overcome opposition from the military, courts and bureaucracy. It will be a messy process that is sure to unnerve markets at a time when Thailand is struggling to attract more foreign investment. Yingluck should slow down. Thailand's first female leader has never held a political office of any kind. Her sudden appearance on the electoral scene ahead of the July 3 vote had critics deriding her as a Thaksin lackey.

Continues:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-15/thailand-s-family-affair-may-unnerve-markets-the-ticker.html

Bloomberg / August 16, 2011

.

Agree! Plus go straight to jail as any registered fugitive arriving in Thailand will be forced to under the laws of this land.

Anyway the OP is about Japan granting k. Thaksin a visa to visit their country after considering the special request brought to them by the Thai government. One of these days the Thai government will get round to governing for country and it's people. Less than 1-1/2 month after 'landslide' victory, so clearly to early to ask what policies, what action, Rome wasn't build in a day. A matter of priorities, 'one man, one party, no compromise'

A bit impatient there Rubl, the PTP government just like any other government under the present constitution has to present the policy statement within 15 days of the Royal Command appointing the new PM. The PTP will be presenting their policy statement on the 24th of August in line with the constitution. http://www.asean-cn.org/Item/3370.aspx

Then you can bitch as much as you like. Though I will be suprised if one of the policy statements says something like " This government will ignore everything else happening in the country until I've got a guarantee that me bro won't be banged up in the slammer if he comes back to his manor for a right old knees up at the wedding"