Govt Not Working To Reissue Thaksin Diplomatic Passport: Thai FM

[webfact]

Government not working to reissue Thaksin passport: Thai FM

BANGKOK, Aug 16 -- Neither the Thai government nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to reissue a diplomatic passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Monday.

Mr Surapong said if the ministry had to consider reissuing a diplomatic or "red passport" to the former prime minister, the process would be done in accordance with the law, and that the ministry's principles and procedures, traditional and legal aspects alike would be strictly observed.

Issuing a new diplomatic passport is not an urgent issue, and the Pheu Thai Party has no policy to return a passport to Mr Thaksin.

Asked whether there was an idea to appoint Mr Thaksin as trade envoy, Mr Surapong said the government would definitely seek Mr Thaksin advice, but he would not become the government's trade envoy as he had done such a duty indirectly.

"Mr Thaksin has travelled to many countries and told businessmen and leaders about Thailand positively so that he had carried out the duty indirectly," said Mr Surapong.

However, Mr Surapong said that he would seek advice from former ministers of foreign affairs, including Surakiart Sathirathai, Sompong Amornvivat and Noppadon Pattama.

The minister said he was ready to face scrutiny from the opposition party after the Japanese government had granted entry visa to Mr Thaksin following his meeting with Japanese ambassador to Thailand, Seiji Kojima, on Friday at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

Mr Surapong said that Japan had invited Mr Thaksin to visit before he became the foreign minister and many countries had adjusted its stance, not to deny Mr Thaksin to enter their countries.

The minister also said that Mr Thaksin had never been on the warrant list of Interpol.

Mr Thaksin is still fugitive as he was convicted in 2007 under the anti-graft law for a conflict of interest over the Ratchadapisek land scandal and the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders had sentenced him to serve a two-year jail term.

The former prime minister remains subject to an outstanding arrest warrant on terrorism charges related to the unrest in Thailand.

The French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday reported that Japan gave a visa to Mr Thaksin who planned to visit Japan Aug 22-28 to give a special lecture on trade at an education institute and tour northeastern areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami to which he had made donations.

The news agency quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano as saying that "The Thai government... takes a policy of not prohibiting former prime minister Thaksin from visiting any country and requested that Japan issue a visa."

"In light of the request from the Thai government and various related considerations, we have decided to issue a visa," he said.

Former premier Abhsiit Vejjajiva on Monday the Japanese government has the right to allow or reject an entry visa to Mr Thaksin but any Thai officials involved in assisting the visa granting could be in violation of the law and should be probed, as Mr Thaksin is still a fugitive. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-16

[Soutpeel]

"Issuing a new diplomatic passport is not an urgent issue,and the Pheu Thai Party has no policy to return a passport to Mr Thaksin "

And there we have it boys and girls....old square head is getting his diplomatic PP back, just not this week, the PTP doesnt need a policy as believe its the ministry of foreign affairs that issues PP, the PTP has nothing to do with the process...so quite cleverly worded....

Edited August 15, 2011 by Soutpeel

[KhunBJ]

Well here we have it again ... another piece from the same media with no news .. everyday anti government outbursts only ... who pay them ?

[robblok]

Well here we have it again ... another piece from the same media with no news .. everyday anti government outbursts only ... who pay them ?

Its just shameful that they are doing everything for one man while they said they would not. It is the media's job to report on stuff like this.

To be honest i never expected anything else from this government.

[REM]

Mr Surapong said the government would definitely seek Mr Thaksin advice, but he would not become the government's trade envoy as he had done such a duty indirectly.

So there we have it, straight from the proverbial horses mouth. They are seeking advice from a criminal, and since he has done his 'duty' indirectly, I wonder what his FULL compensation will be, aside from the returning of his 11 billion baht...........

The only things they've done is work to get him back. I smell another cup of coup cooking in the kitchen!!!

[MunterHunter]

This is the same government that said they had nothing to do with his Japan visa application... then the Japanese government turn around and said "The Thai government requested it"

Oops, looks like they got caught, red handed, lying through their teeth...

... not bad for their first (official) week in office...

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

[Soutpeel]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else, to do this they had to get the backing of the Thai people to get them back in power, and how would one do this.....promise the world and appeal to materialistic side of the average Thai voter...we are going to give you more money and comsumer electronics.....

Now Phase 1 of operation "Reinstate Dear Leader" has been completed....ie get the "family back in power...they have no use for the Thai population anymore

We are now moving into Phase 2 of the operation, getting the Dear leader back to Thailand for his somtam with his repution restored even purer than the whitest drive snow and all his money given back ...

[Thaddeus]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else,

Shall we take a quick look at the election promises again.

national minimum daily wage of Bt300 ($10) nationally

Universal medical care with patients making a co-payment of Bt30 ($1) per consultation

Credit cards for farmers and a guaranteed price of Bt15,000 – Bt20,000 ($488 – $651) per ton for unmilled rice

A moratorium for household debt up to Bt500,000 ($16,285) per household, with emphasis on debt reduction for teachers, farmers and civil servants

A minimum monthly salary of Bt15,000 ($500) for university graduates and a “One Tablet-PC per Child” project for school children

A 23.3 per cent reduction in corporate tax rates in the first year (from 30 to 20 percent) with a further 13 percent reduction in its second year to a flat 20 percent.

Reduced taxes for first home and first car buyers

A standard Bt20 (65 cent) fare for all Bangkok’s mass transit rail lines (MRT)

High-speed rail lines linking major provincial cities in the north, northeast, east and upper south regions

Rural village development funds of between Bt300,000 and Bt1 million ($9,770 – $32,573) per year

A welfare allowance of Bt600 ($19.55) per month for citizens over 60, increasing by Bt100 ($3.20) at 70, and 80, and rising by a further Bt200 ($6.40) at 90.

Free Wi-Fi and Internet access in public places

30km (18.8 mile) of levees to protect Bangkok and satellite towns from Gulf of Thailand tidal surges.

Special administrative status for Muslim provinces in the violence-plagued southern provinces

A war on drugs

Amnesty for political offenses committed since 2006

[tomross46]

Well here we have it again ... another piece from the same media with no news .. everyday anti government outbursts only ... who pay them ?

Thsi was released by MCOT, which is a new agency controled by the government. So they are paid by the government, therefor they are controled by the PM, which is a clone of Thaksin.

[JetsetBkk]

Well here we have it again ... another piece from the same media with no news .. everyday anti government outbursts only ... who pay them ?

Thsi was released by MCOT, which is a new agency controled by the government. So they are paid by the government, therefor they are controled by the PM, which is a clone of Thaksin.

Oh, please. How many times do we have to read this rubbish? What is so difficult about getting it right? You cannot say "the PM, which is a clone of Thaksin". It should be "the PM, who is a clone of Thaksin".

OK?

[sierra01]

I really dont understand all this, Taksin is a convicted criminal that did a runner to escape his prison sentence. Why wasnt his PP cancelled straight away, let alone talk of re-issueing it?

With is Daughter as PM, that in itself stinks, its obvious the path is being smoothed for him to return totally unpunished and eventually end up as PM again. Crazy country sometimes.

[mca]

With is Daughter as PM, that in itself stinks, its obvious the path is being smoothed for him to return totally unpunished and eventually end up as PM again. Crazy country sometimes.

His daughter? The sly bastard. He told us she was his sister. See, you can't believe a word the man says.

[sierra01]

You're right, she's his Sister. His Daughter is the one that didnt have high enough grades to get into uni so he lowered the qualifying criteria so she could!

[Soutpeel]

With is Daughter as PM, that in itself stinks, its obvious the path is being smoothed for him to return totally unpunished and eventually end up as PM again. Crazy country sometimes.

His daughter? The sly bastard. He told us she was his sister. See, you can't believe a word the man says.

Of course, its par for the course...how many fat old farangs are married to young Thai ladies who have "brothers" they visit on the a regular basis and sometimes the Thai ladies invite their "brothers" to live with them in the Farang's house..so can see where the confusion is coming from.....

Seeing as the esteemed PM is his clone..... in scientific terms would she be his sister or daughter ?

Seeing as the PM was cloned from old square jaw....has long hair, wears dresses and make up...OMG...the PM is a ladyboy.....

Edited August 16, 2011 by Soutpeel

[Soutpeel]

You're right, she's his Sister. His Daughter is the one that didnt have high enough grades to get into uni so he lowered the qualifying criteria so she could!

Being Brighton supporter can well understand how you are confused easily....

Edited August 16, 2011 by Soutpeel

[sierra01]

You're right, she's his Sister. His Daughter is the one that didnt have high enough grades to get into uni so he lowered the qualifying criteria so she could!

Being Brighton supporter can well understand how you are confused easily....

Well someone has to support them!

[Thakkar]

<snip>

To be honest i never expected anything else from this government.

Exactly. I don't know why so many are getting so hot under the collar. This was all to be expected. As the financial Times calmly reports:

Thailand paves way for Thaksin rapprochement

By Tim Johnston in Bangkok

Less than a week after taking office , Thailand’s government has started rehabilitating Thaksin Shinawatra, the country’s most controversial politician and eldest brother of Yingluck Shinawatra, the new prime minister.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/96882c28-c742-11e0-a9ef-00144feabdc0.html

[sierra01]

Makes a mockery of the Thai justice system though.

[Thakkar]

Makes a mockery of the Thai justice system though.

Indeed it does, but what's new about that? The previous government misused the courts, as did Thaksin when he was in power.

[sierra01]

Looks good in the eyes of the world! Dont they realise how stupid it makes them look? I know, I know, TIT

[MAJIC]

In the first week in power and we are already witnessing the Total sanctifying and Cleansing of the Criminal Miscreant,

in preparation for his return,as the Saviour of Thailand.

[MAJIC]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else,

Shall we take a quick look at the election promises again.

national minimum daily wage of Bt300 ($10) nationally

Universal medical care with patients making a co-payment of Bt30 ($1) per consultation

Credit cards for farmers and a guaranteed price of Bt15,000 – Bt20,000 ($488 – $651) per ton for unmilled rice

A moratorium for household debt up to Bt500,000 ($16,285) per household, with emphasis on debt reduction for teachers, farmers and civil servants

A minimum monthly salary of Bt15,000 ($500) for university graduates and a "One Tablet-PC per Child" project for school children

A 23.3 per cent reduction in corporate tax rates in the first year (from 30 to 20 percent) with a further 13 percent reduction in its second year to a flat 20 percent.

Reduced taxes for first home and first car buyers

A standard Bt20 (65 cent) fare for all Bangkok's mass transit rail lines (MRT)

High-speed rail lines linking major provincial cities in the north, northeast, east and upper south regions

Rural village development funds of between Bt300,000 and Bt1 million ($9,770 – $32,573) per year

A welfare allowance of Bt600 ($19.55) per month for citizens over 60, increasing by Bt100 ($3.20) at 70, and 80, and rising by a further Bt200 ($6.40) at 90.

Free Wi-Fi and Internet access in public places

30km (18.8 mile) of levees to protect Bangkok and satellite towns from Gulf of Thailand tidal surges.

Special administrative status for Muslim provinces in the violence-plagued southern provinces

A war on drugs

Amnesty for political offenses committed since 2006

In order to make these dubious promises and have the Voters confidence that the Party would deliver,

they would have to know their people/voters very well, and sadly they do.

[Buchholz]

This is the same government that said they had nothing to do with his Japan visa application... then the Japanese government turn around and said "The Thai government requested it"

As it turns out, the actual original request came from....

.

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

.

So Surapong was obligated to follow orders and the government requested it.

.

Edited August 16, 2011 by Buchholz

[Thaddeus]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else,

Shall we take a quick look at the election promises again.

national minimum daily wage of Bt300 ($10) nationally

Universal medical care with patients making a co-payment of Bt30 ($1) per consultation

Credit cards for farmers and a guaranteed price of Bt15,000 – Bt20,000 ($488 – $651) per ton for unmilled rice

A moratorium for household debt up to Bt500,000 ($16,285) per household, with emphasis on debt reduction for teachers, farmers and civil servants

A minimum monthly salary of Bt15,000 ($500) for university graduates and a "One Tablet-PC per Child" project for school children

A 23.3 per cent reduction in corporate tax rates in the first year (from 30 to 20 percent) with a further 13 percent reduction in its second year to a flat 20 percent.

Reduced taxes for first home and first car buyers

A standard Bt20 (65 cent) fare for all Bangkok's mass transit rail lines (MRT)

High-speed rail lines linking major provincial cities in the north, northeast, east and upper south regions

Rural village development funds of between Bt300,000 and Bt1 million ($9,770 – $32,573) per year

A welfare allowance of Bt600 ($19.55) per month for citizens over 60, increasing by Bt100 ($3.20) at 70, and 80, and rising by a further Bt200 ($6.40) at 90.

Free Wi-Fi and Internet access in public places

30km (18.8 mile) of levees to protect Bangkok and satellite towns from Gulf of Thailand tidal surges.

Special administrative status for Muslim provinces in the violence-plagued southern provinces

A war on drugs

Amnesty for political offenses committed since 2006

In order to make these dubious promises and have the Voters confidence that the Party would deliver,

they would have to know their people/voters very well, and sadly they do.

I would humbly suggest that every single member of ThaiVisa prints out that list of promises and pins it on their kitchen wall so that as one unifying force we can all tick them off as they occur.

I will personally guarantee that there will be no claims on medical insurance for RSI.

Apart from maybe GK and a few others, but the 'flogging a dead horse' clause will void that.

[Buchholz]

On the interviewer's remark that Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul was fast becoming the most controversial member of her Cabinet, Yingluck said: "I'd like the public not to look at his face or his past."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/08/17/national/Yingluck-evasive-on-queries-about-Thaksin-30162970.html

[hanuman1]

I think Thaksin will continue to bide his time abroad for a while yet.

If he was scared enough of two years of doubtless preferential treatment in a Thai jail (he was never going to be on the fish heads and dishwater soup every day, now was he?) to spend 5 years away from his homeland, he will probably wait longer to ensure that feelings against him from powerful quarters won't result in risks to his personal safety.

He would probably seek reassurances from those institutions that had the wherewithal to 'do a Sah Daeng' on him and also would look to the general mood among the public before setting foot here again.

Fear for one's life tends to effect billionaires and paupers in pretty similar ways. I think it will be a while before we see him kissing the (cracked) tarmac at Swampy regardless of how the law may be changed/used to get him off.

Edited August 16, 2011 by hanuman1

[Thakkar]

On the interviewer's remark that Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul was fast becoming the most controversial member of her Cabinet, Yingluck said: "I'd like the public not to look at his face or his past."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/08/17/national/Yingluck-evasive-on-queries-about-Thaksin-30162970.html

I believe that, regardless of the questions asked, she's been given a bunch of talking points to repeat. Sometimes she veers away from those and the result is a bunch of word salad like above.

T

[Colin Yai]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else,

Shall we take a quick look at the election promises again.

national minimum daily wage of Bt300 ($10) nationally

Universal medical care with patients making a co-payment of Bt30 ($1) per consultation

Credit cards for farmers and a guaranteed price of Bt15,000 – Bt20,000 ($488 – $651) per ton for unmilled rice

A moratorium for household debt up to Bt500,000 ($16,285) per household, with emphasis on debt reduction for teachers, farmers and civil servants

A minimum monthly salary of Bt15,000 ($500) for university graduates and a “One Tablet-PC per Child” project for school children

A 23.3 per cent reduction in corporate tax rates in the first year (from 30 to 20 percent) with a further 13 percent reduction in its second year to a flat 20 percent.

Reduced taxes for first home and first car buyers

A standard Bt20 (65 cent) fare for all Bangkok’s mass transit rail lines (MRT)

High-speed rail lines linking major provincial cities in the north, northeast, east and upper south regions

Rural village development funds of between Bt300,000 and Bt1 million ($9,770 – $32,573) per year

A welfare allowance of Bt600 ($19.55) per month for citizens over 60, increasing by Bt100 ($3.20) at 70, and 80, and rising by a further Bt200 ($6.40) at 90.

Free Wi-Fi and Internet access in public places

30km (18.8 mile) of levees to protect Bangkok and satellite towns from Gulf of Thailand tidal surges.

Special administrative status for Muslim provinces in the violence-plagued southern provinces

A war on drugs

Amnesty for political offenses committed since 2006

Well Thad I for one am very impressed by all these pre election promises ,Impressed yeah, but I do not believe any of them ,I just wonder when these up here in Issan will finally cotton on to the simple fact they've been well and truly shafted.

[sierra01]

I wonder what else they have lied about? 300b Minimum wage? Free tablets computers for children? Fixed Rice Prices? Corporate tax cuts? Political party for the rural poor?

My guess is just about everything....the only thing the current goverment is progressing on is getting the "Dear Leader", family and cronies" sorted out........it was never about anything else,

Shall we take a quick look at the election promises again.

national minimum daily wage of Bt300 ($10) nationally

Universal medical care with patients making a co-payment of Bt30 ($1) per consultation

Credit cards for farmers and a guaranteed price of Bt15,000 – Bt20,000 ($488 – $651) per ton for unmilled rice

A moratorium for household debt up to Bt500,000 ($16,285) per household, with emphasis on debt reduction for teachers, farmers and civil servants

A minimum monthly salary of Bt15,000 ($500) for university graduates and a “One Tablet-PC per Child” project for school children

A 23.3 per cent reduction in corporate tax rates in the first year (from 30 to 20 percent) with a further 13 percent reduction in its second year to a flat 20 percent.

Reduced taxes for first home and first car buyers

A standard Bt20 (65 cent) fare for all Bangkok’s mass transit rail lines (MRT)

High-speed rail lines linking major provincial cities in the north, northeast, east and upper south regions

Rural village development funds of between Bt300,000 and Bt1 million ($9,770 – $32,573) per year

A welfare allowance of Bt600 ($19.55) per month for citizens over 60, increasing by Bt100 ($3.20) at 70, and 80, and rising by a further Bt200 ($6.40) at 90.

Free Wi-Fi and Internet access in public places

30km (18.8 mile) of levees to protect Bangkok and satellite towns from Gulf of Thailand tidal surges.

Special administrative status for Muslim provinces in the violence-plagued southern provinces

A war on drugs

Amnesty for political offenses committed since 2006

Well Thad I for one am very impressed by all these pre election promises ,Impressed yeah, but I do not believe any of them ,I just wonder when these up here in Issan will finally cotton on to the simple fact they've been well and truly shafted.

Dont hold your breath, the Thai people have been shafted so many times by so many goverments they think its normal now. Sad but true.

[Buchholz]

I think Thaksin will continue to bide his time abroad for a while yet.

If he was scared enough of two years of doubtless preferential treatment in a Thai jail (he was never going to be on the fish heads and dishwater soup every day, now was he?) to spend 5 years away from his homeland, he will probably wait longer to ensure that feelings against him from powerful quarters won't result in risks to his personal safety.

He would probably seek reassurances from those institutions that had the wherewithal to 'do a Sah Daeng' on him and also would look to the general mood among the public before setting foot here again.

Fear for one's life tends to effect billionaires and paupers in pretty similar ways. I think it will be a while before we see him kissing the (cracked) tarmac at Swampy regardless of how the law may be changed/used to get him off.

OR... perhaps not...

The House Speaker has proposed a fast-track approach for constitutional amendment in what many see a move aimed at paving the way for an early return of Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand, without the ex-premier first having to serve a jail sentence for abuse of authority.

Ploy To Bring Back Thaksin