Thaksin Leaves Japan, Denies Cambodian Trip Plan

[webfact]

Thaksin leaves Japan, denies Cambodian trip plan

By The Nation

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who ended his six-day visit to Japan yesterday, said he had no immediate plan to visit neighbouring Cambodia, where a business interest of his is in doubt.

The former premier, who was in the media spotlight last week for his high profile visit, left Japan for Macao after meeting with senior Japanese lawmakers and visiting areas hit by the March earthquake and tsunami.

Thaksin headed for Macao on his way back to Dubai, where he has lived in exile since being toppled by a military coup in 2006.

During an interview with Kyodo news agency, Thaksin denied a report he would visit Cambodia shortly.

He reportedly cancelled his plan to visit Phnom Penh after criticism in Thailand over personal business dealings involving oil and gas concessions in the overlapping area in the Gulf of Thailand claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

Thaksin's travelling has been controversial and could pose political implications for the government led by his sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The opposition Democrat Party last week began an impeachment process to remove Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul from his post for abuse of authority in asking the Japanese to allow Thaksin a special visa to visit their country.

The former PM needed Thai government support as Japanese immigration laws prohibit entry to any foreigner who has been sentenced to more than a year in prison.

Thaksin was given a two-year term on a charge of abuse of power, but fled Thailand before serving his sentence.

The Democrats claimed Surapong, by supporting Thaksin's visa claim, helped fugitive Thaksin to avoid the court's ruling.

Surapong denied the allegation, saying that granting of a visa was the responsibility of Tokyo and his government had nothing to do with Thaksin's travels.

-- The Nation 2011-08-29

[Jingthing]

That's a big smile for him. Be worried. Well, a big load off Japan anyway. What's next?

[scorecard]

So how many Yen is he donating?

[Sparkles]

Ive lost count of the temples,orphanages ,public ameneties,medical research institutions Khun Taksin has provided out of his own pocket,never asking anything in return.Makes Bill Gates look like Scrooge.

[hammered]

There have been rumours of the UK although a PTP spokesperson denied it

[MAJIC]

There have been rumours of the UK although a PTP spokesperson denied it

Didn't Thaksin get forced to leave under a Diplomatic Cloud,last time he was in the UK?

[hammered]

There have been rumours of the UK although a PTP spokesperson denied it

Didn't Thaksin get forced to leave under a Diplomatic Cloud,last time he was in the UK?

Things change. Different government in both countries and the UK has interests in Thailand. Who knows

[webfact]

Pheu Thai: No visa request for Thaksin

BANGKOK, 29 August 2011 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party has dismissed the rumour that Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul was to request the British authorities to grant a visa for ex-Prime Minister Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit criticised the Democrat Party, particularly Acting Democrat Party Spokesperson Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, for making a groundless allegation against the foreign minister.

Mr Prompong stated that Mr Chavanond gave unconstructive news to the press and was trying to play politics in an effort to discredit the government. He lambasted the Democrat spokesperson for failing to consider the foreign relations and national interest.

The Pheu Thai spokesperson confirmed with the press that he had already asked the foreign minister about the matter and had been confirmed that such a thing did not take place, and the minister knew nothing about it.

Mr Prompong then asked the Democrat Party to probe the press briefing given by Mr Chavanond, also former secretary to the previous foreign minister. He said a press conference should be held for providing facts, not for personal satisfaction.

-- NNT 2011-08-29

[Jingthing]

Ive lost count of the temples,orphanages ,public ameneties,medical research institutions Khun Taksin has provided out of his own pocket,never asking anything in return.Makes Bill Gates look like Scrooge.

Nice try. Nobody could make Bill Gates look like Scrooge. So now that that is established, does Bill Gates now deserve to have any arrest warrants against him canceled so he can become the big leader of the USA?

[hanuman1]

Pheu Thai: No visa request for Thaksin

BANGKOK, 29 August 2011 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party has dismissed the rumour that Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul was to request the British authorities to grant a visa for ex-Prime Minister Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit criticised the Democrat Party, particularly Acting Democrat Party Spokesperson Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, for making a groundless allegation against the foreign minister.

Mr Prompong stated that Mr Chavanond gave unconstructive news to the press and was trying to play politics in an effort to discredit the government. He lambasted the Democrat spokesperson for failing to consider the foreign relations and national interest.

The Pheu Thai spokesperson confirmed with the press that he had already asked the foreign minister about the matter and had been confirmed that such a thing did not take place, and the minister knew nothing about it.

Mr Prompong then asked the Democrat Party to probe the press briefing given by Mr Chavanond, also former secretary to the previous foreign minister. He said a press conference should be held for providing facts, not for personal satisfaction.

-- NNT 2011-08-29

Looks like the PTP are trying to nip in the bud a replay of the heat they got with the Japan visa. Seems like they learn fast. If they've also learnt from the mistakes made that led up to the unseating of previous Thaksin-inspired governments, it will be very difficult to kick them out in any way apart from electorally.

[KeyserSoze01]

Ive lost count of the temples,orphanages ,public ameneties,medical research institutions Khun Taksin has provided out of his own pocket,never asking anything in return.Makes Bill Gates look like Scrooge.

Perhaps you should do a fact-check before posting such nonsense.

Bill and Melinda Gates have donated or pledged in excess of 23.5 billion USD to charitable organizations, including over £6 billion for vaccinating children around the world.

Thaksin is only worth $400 million USD.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247067/Bill-Gates-makes-worlds-largest-charitable-6bn-vaccines-poor-children.html

[bristolgeoff]

i,am sure he made his trip go his way somehow.that will not come out to the press

[rubl]

The former premier, who was in the media spotlight last week for his high profile visit, left Japan for Macao after meeting with senior Japanese lawmakers and visiting areas hit by the March earthquake and tsunami.

Which senior Japanese lawmakers?

[moe666]

Poor old Thaksin always harassed by those mean old democrats

[Jingthing]

Poor old Thaksin always harassed by those mean old democrats

Poor? Old, yes. He's looking rather gaunt, yes? Maybe he doesn't have the strength anymore to be the grand master ... we should be so lucky ...

[473geo]

Poor old Thaksin always harassed by those mean old democrats

Poor? Old, yes. He's looking rather gaunt, yes? Maybe he doesn't have the strength anymore to be the grand master ... we should be so lucky ...

I'm sure he feels he belongs in the limelight, having been kept right up there in the eyes of the world, by the Tvisa Thaksin club, The Nation, and PM Abhisit throughout his election campaign.....

Edited August 29, 2011 by 473geo

[Siam Simon]

Ive lost count of the temples,orphanages ,public ameneties,medical research institutions Khun Taksin has provided out of his own pocket,never asking anything in return.Makes Bill Gates look like Scrooge.

Perhaps you should do a fact-check before posting such nonsense.

Bill and Melinda Gates have donated or pledged in excess of 23.5 billion USD to charitable organizations, including over £6 billion for vaccinating children around the world.

Thaksin is only worth $400 million USD.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247067/Bill-Gates-makes-worlds-largest-charitable-6bn-vaccines-poor-children.html

Not disputing the Gates' benevolence. But it's curious that the estimate that you provide for Thaksin's personal wealth isn't being disputed by the usual anti-Thaksinista suspects .

[Siam Simon]

There have been rumours of the UK although a PTP spokesperson denied it

Didn't Thaksin get forced to leave under a Diplomatic Cloud,last time he was in the UK?

Things change. Different government in both countries and the UK has interests in Thailand. Who knows

His residence visa was revoked, but (not sure) hasn't he since visited the UK on a different visa basis?

[Buchholz]

Ive lost count of the temples,orphanages ,public ameneties,medical research institutions Khun Taksin has provided out of his own pocket,never asking anything in return.Makes Bill Gates look like Scrooge.

Perhaps you should do a fact-check before posting such nonsense.

Bill and Melinda Gates have donated or pledged in excess of 23.5 billion USD to charitable organizations, including over £6 billion for vaccinating children around the world.

Thaksin is only worth $400 million USD.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247067/Bill-Gates-makes-worlds-largest-charitable-6bn-vaccines-poor-children.html

Not disputing the Gates' benevolence. But it's curious that the estimate that you provide for Thaksin's personal wealth isn't being disputed by the usual anti-Thaksinista suspects .

For the less astute, Sparkles post was facetious sarcasm.

[Siam Simon]

For the less astute, Sparkles post was facetious sarcasm.

Not sure who you're replying to. Certainly not me. I see your signature makes claims about Thaksin's wealth which differs wildly with KeyserSoze01's reference.

[Buchholz]

For the less astute, Sparkles post was facetious sarcasm.

Not sure who you're replying to. Certainly not me. I see your signature makes claims about Thaksin's wealth which differs wildly with KeyserSoze01's reference.

Replying to those less astute who fail to see that a post they reply to is missing the facetious intent.

btw, what is the "reference"? It's not in the link posted. Did your astuteness also miss that?

[Jingthing]

Many people actually do believe Thaksin is like Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Che Guevara, Oprah (she gives away free cars), and Nelson Mandella all wrapped up in a Sino-Thai square faced package.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Jingthing

[Buchholz]

Many people actually do believe Thaksin is like Mother Theresa, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandella all wrapped up in a Sino-Thai square faced package.

Here's one of those believers...

Jatuporn, the Gandhi-loving non-violent promoter, has been charged with crimes for the Riot of July 2007, the ASEAN Summit 2009, and for May Mayhem 2010.

[whybother]

His residence visa was revoked, but (not sure) hasn't he since visited the UK on a different visa basis?

No.