Thai Foreign Minister Surapong's Quandary: Where To Go First?

[webfact]

Surapong's quandary: Where to go first?

By The Nation

Deciding which country to visit first is not usually among the most pressing problems facing new Thai foreign ministers, but Surapong Tovichakchaikul appears to be an exception.

In recent times it has become something of a tradition for new foreign ministers to start their self-introductory overseas trips in Laos.

Thailand and Laos share much in terms of language, culture and ethnic heritage. Both countries have large populations from the Tai ethnic group.

But Surapong told reporters after taking office last week that he needed to consult officials at the Foreign Ministry on the itinerary of his first overseas trip. Asean is the priority, he said, but which members and in what order has not been fixed yet.

Yesterday, Surapong said the officials suggested visiting Asean countries in alphabetical order.

Thailand's 10 Asean co-members in alphabetical order are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma (officially known as Myanmar), the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Surapong said he might visit Brunei first followed by Indonesia, rather than Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia have been embroiled in a border conflict that erupted during the previous government under Abhisit Vejjajiva. Surapong said previously he had no clear date for visiting Phnom Penh.

Visiting Brunei first presents problems politically, however, as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has visited the country often since going into exile. By making it his first destination, Surapong could raise suspicions that such a trip was connected in some way with the fugitive Thaksin.

Surapong is already in trouble in relation to Thaksin's foreign travel, having been accused by the opposition Democrat Party of facilitating the former premier's recent visit to Japan. The Democrats lodged a petition with the Senate speaker on Thursday to impeach Surapong for abusing his authority in helping Thaksin avoid efforts to bring him to justice.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years for abusing his authority by granting permission to his wife to buy a plot of land from a state agency while he held a political position.

Japanese immigration law prohibits any foreigner sentenced to more than one year's imprisonment from entering the country. Tokyo said Thaksin was granted a special visa at the request of the Thai government.

Surapong said yesterday that he was not disturbed by the impeachment campaign as he had done nothing wrong. Granting a visa is the sole authority of the Japanese government, he said.

Asked if the Foreign Ministry would act to help Thaksin visit the United Kingdom, from which he is banned, Surapong said he was not aware of any plans by Thaksin to make such a visit.

"It depends on the UK, not the Thai Foreign Ministry, as former Prime Minister Thaksin holds a Montenegrin passport," Surapong told reporters.

-- The Nation 2011-08-27

[johna]

Japan first, and then whatever country Taksin want's to visit next.

[OzMick]

Not Dubai?

[KhunBJ]

Not Dubai?

Dubai is not a country ... but it is a nice place anyway.

[Samuian]

Comes some old tale about a man walking the streets of a small township in germany, playing flute, all the rats of the town followed him!

[Phuket Stan]

Back to the North of Thailand where he comes from would be a good start

[OzMick]

Not Dubai?

Dubai is not a country ... but it is a nice place anyway.

And very popular with PTP MPs. Good chance he has already visited at least once recently, don't you think?

[renaissanc]

He should ask Thaksin where he would like him to go. Perhaps Thaksin needs a visa for some country or other, or needs some help to do business there. Remember the guideline in the Red Book: "Thaksin Thinks. Peua Thai Does."

[khaowong1]

Maybe the French Riviera.. He could pretend he's there on a fact finding trip for Phuket.

[tlansford]

jeez - this is in the NEWS section of the Nation ?

So in an article allegedly regarding the foreign minister's work and priorities, OVER HALF of the article is about Thaskin...

The Siam Daily titled their article "Foreign Minister Vows to Work Hard", and actually mentioned a couple of facts and also talked about his use of a translator with foreign ambassadors.

@Bucholtz

http://www.siamdailynews.com/politics-news/2011/08/26/foreign-minister-vows-to-work-hard-2/

[OzMick]

jeez - this is in the NEWS section of the Nation ?

So in an article allegedly regarding the foreign minister's work and priorities, OVER HALF of the article is about Thaskin...

The Siam Daily titled their article "Foreign Minister Vows to Work Hard", and actually mentioned a couple of facts and also talked about his use of a translator with foreign ambassadors.

@Bucholtz

http://www.siamdailynews.com/politics-news/2011/08/26/foreign-minister-vows-to-work-hard-2/

As ALL of his efforts so far have been to the benefit of Thaksin, over half is about appropriate.

[Crushdepth]

Hell?

[NanLaew]

LOL.... the Thaksin bogeyman lives!

I still laugh at one of the original cartoons published in the local press when Boonyaratglin's 'government' and PAD was having a cow about Thaksin showing up in Singapore in 2006. A sketch of all these hard-men in a tank jumping in wide-eyed shock and surprise when Thaksin shouted 'Boo!' down the gun barrel.

[ToffeEFCpower]

I guess it all depends who would turn up for a meeting with him. I can't believe any FM from a 1st world country would ever take a wrongun like this specimen seriously.

[KhunBJ]

Not Dubai?

Dubai is not a country ... but it is a nice place anyway.

And very popular with PTP MPs. Good chance he has already visited at least once recently, don't you think?

Maybe , maybe not... can't say that I care much ... but go and have a look yourself ... very nice Hotels and activities too ...well worth a visit

[KhunBJ]

jeez - this is in the NEWS section of the Nation ?

So in an article allegedly regarding the foreign minister's work and priorities, OVER HALF of the article is about Thaskin...

The Siam Daily titled their article "Foreign Minister Vows to Work Hard", and actually mentioned a couple of facts and also talked about his use of a translator with foreign ambassadors.

@Bucholtz

http://www.siamdailynews.com/politics-news/2011/08/26/foreign-minister-vows-to-work-hard-2/

As ALL of his efforts so far have been to the benefit of Thaksin, over half is about appropriate.

If you have a look at the Nation's homepage you will find that from time to time a large chunk of the material sourced to Thai Visa's News section from the Nation as News actually are editorials and opinions which is not exactly news but views and opinions of the Nation..and as the Nation without any doubt is strongly biased against anything that is not related to the Democrats then it will be very anti Thaksin ... in this country there is only black and white ... grey not allowed ..with me or against me ...exactly as Thai Visa forums ...makes it more entertaining I should add, but not exactly a place where to go looking for facts...

[whybother]

Surapong said yesterday that he was not disturbed by the impeachment campaign as he had done nothing wrong. Granting a visa is the sole authority of the Japanese government, he said.

I don't get why they continue to use this excuse. He's in trouble for requesting Japan to give Thaksin a visa, not because Japan decided to give him one.

[thaicbr]

"It depends on the UK, not the Thai Foreign Ministry, as former Prime Minister Thaksin holds a Montenegrin passport," Surapong told reporters.

That never stopped him asking Japan to let Thaksin in (allegedly)

[animatic]

Any bets that where he decides to go Thaksin will suddenly have pressing business at the same time?