Will Thaksin get visa to visit UK?

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

British minister won't comment; envoy says answer lies with Bangkok

Will ousted and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra now be given a visa if he fancies shopping at Harrods or a new football club in the UK now that his sister Yingluck Shinawatra is the prime minister?

The answers given were as tricky as the questions, which have become a near Thai media obsession.

Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Jeremy Browne, who was in Bangkok yesterday on a one-day visit, faced the same questions.

"I don't think it's right to comment on individual visa applications," said Browne in an evasive reply during a meeting with local media.

British Ambassador to Bangkok Asif Ahmad was a bit clearer on the matter, however.

"Everybody is welcome to apply for a visa. The issue is how Thailand deals with Khun Thaksin and others who are barred from politics," said Ahmad. "The answer is in Bangkok, not in London."

Browne insisted that the UK doesn't take sides despite the belief that his country may be on the side of the Opposition Democrat Party, many of whom went to elite schools and universities in Britain. Browne added: "We don't take a view" on who is in power in Bangkok as much as who may be the next US president.

Regarding human rights, Browne cited the Thai immigration-detention facility as something that can be improved upon. Ambassador Ahmad added that other issues of concern included the lese majeste law, media controls, interference by the government and Thailand's treatment of refugees like the Hmong, who were deported under the then Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.

Ahmad reckoned, however, that the Pheu Thai government won't rush to reform the lese majeste law. "I can't imagine that this government will do something hasty," he said.

Thaksin was recently allowed to visit Germany and Japan, two countries which apparently banned him from entering during the previous administration under Abhisit.

Tokyo asked for Bangkok's opinion when Thaksin made a request to visit Japan last month. Japanese immigration law prohibits any foreigner who is convicted for more than one year from entering the country, but Thaksin was granted a special visit after a request from the Thai government.

The Democrat Party launched an impeachment process against Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul for facilitating Thaksin's visits to foreign countries.

Thaksin was handed a two-year jail sentence for granting permission to his wife to buy a piece of land from a state agency while he was holding a political position.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

Weren't there also some tax-affairs, arising out of the sale of his football-club, yet to be resolved ?

Everybody is welcome to apply for a visa.

Everybody is welcome to apply for a visa.

I like it, He does not have 800,000 bts in the bank or an income of more than £900 a month.

A bit of a political football. I would think a couple of quick phone calls from the Chairman of Tesco should solve the problem quite quickly. I am not sure he fancies seeing Tesco Thailand in the same position as DTAC.

A bit of a political football. I would think a couple of quick phone calls from the Chairman of Tesco should solve the problem quite quickly. I am not sure he fancies seeing Tesco Thailand in the same position as DTAC.

Precisely. Countries and their diplomats protect their interests

Ahmad also indicates this in his comment on the issue being on how Thailand deals with Thaksin and others barred form politics. The UK will respect the Thai government decisions

Reality is most countries would probably prefer not to be put in the position but if they are they will be a lot more receptive to issuing visas (as we have seen) now that Thaksins government are in place and with a clear election victory, and zero chance of any extradition request. When Abhisit and the army were running the place it was obviously going to be tricky for a country to let him in both in terms of the contures interests in Thailand and the possibility of having a political extradition to decide on

A bit of a political football. I would think a couple of quick phone calls from the Chairman of Tesco should solve the problem quite quickly. I am not sure he fancies seeing Tesco Thailand in the same position as DTAC.

Precisely. Countries and their diplomats protect their interests

Ahmad also indicates this in his comment on the issue being on how Thailand deals with Thaksin and others barred form politics. The UK will respect the Thai government decisions

Reality is most countries would probably prefer not to be put in the position but if they are they will be a lot more receptive to issuing visas (as we have seen) now that Thaksins government are in place and with a clear election victory, and zero chance of any extradition request. When Abhisit and the army were running the place it was obviously going to be tricky for a country to let him in both in terms of the contures interests in Thailand and the possibility of having a political extradition to decide on

Exactly. The way he was politely shuffled on from the Uk was to protect British interests under the last govt, now he will be allowed in to protect British interests from the new bunch.

Enjoyed the other comments of British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Jeremy Browne regarding,

"Thaksin is a domestic problem for Thailand only and is of no concern for foreign governments."

"Thailand itself had to reconcile with Thaksin."

/

Edited September 14, 201114 yr by Buchholz

Since Gaddafi was a great friend of the UK (especially BP) and now he is a terrible villan, maybe the British can have a change of heart? I suspect they could offer him the British Premier League, which is well within his ability to purchase? Lets face it we are always looking for willing foreigners to finance British football, which looses money faster than Rooney can put balls in goals.

Mr. T is slowly creeping his way back onto the scene of he past life.

He is testing the waters to see how much he can get away with now that his party is in power.

Since Gaddafi was a great friend of the UK (especially BP) and now he is a terrible villan, maybe the British can have a change of heart? I suspect they could offer him the British Premier League, which is well within his ability to purchase? Lets face it we are always looking for willing foreigners to finance British football, which looses money faster than Rooney can put balls in goals.

In all probability, Gaddaffi simply didn't deliver on his promises for access to Libya's oil. To see Tony Blair actually meet with the guy was enough to make me vomit just a little.

Who care, if he gets it granted or not? What would be the benefit to us and the public?

Who care, if he gets it granted or not? What would be the benefit to us and the public?

Well you still get to shop at Tesco and Boots. Every little counts......

Could this be all part of Thaksins strategy now?

To be accepted on the International front, would go some way towards the main goal: a Pardon.

of course it's unlikely a Visa refusal to any Country,would be made public!

Criminals, immigrants, rapists the lot are all welcome in the UK.. The government even give them a house and money so im sure thaskin will not have a problem..

Since Gaddafi was a great friend of the UK (especially BP) and now he is a terrible villan, maybe the British can have a change of heart? I suspect they could offer him the British Premier League, which is well within his ability to purchase? Lets face it we are always looking for willing foreigners to finance British football, which looses money faster than Rooney can put balls in goals.

Since Gaddafi was a great friend of the UK (especially BP) and now he is a terrible villan, maybe the British can have a change of heart? I suspect they could offer him the British Premier League, which is well within his ability to purchase? Lets face it we are always looking for willing foreigners to finance British football, which looses money faster than Rooney can put balls in goals.

By BP I take it you mean, BRITISH PETROLEUM which is owned by the shareholders in the UK and America, and not the British Government and People.

Criminals, immigrants, rapists the lot are all welcome in the UK.. The government even give them a house and money so im sure thaskin will not have a problem..

Might even get a football club as well.

Exactly. The way he was politely shuffled on from the Uk was to protect British interests under the last govt, now he will be allowed in to protect British interests from the new bunch.

I hope that the new UK government stick to their guns and keep him out.

Then, when he finally assumes his rightful position as leader of an elected Thai government in Thailand, he will seriously <deleted> with all the whining Brits that have chosen to 'retire' in Thailand or become perpetual 'tourists' here.

Send 'em all back.

I hope that the new UK government stick to their guns and keep him out.

Then, when he finally assumes his rightful position as leader of an elected Thai government in Thailand, he will seriously <deleted> with all the whining Brits that have chosen to 'retire' in Thailand or become perpetual 'tourists' here.

Send 'em all back.

Love you too !

But seriously, his contribution to the development of Thai society was a decade ago in very-different economic-circumstances, and he has several court-cases awaiting his return, perhaps he ought just to leave running-the-country to the next-generation ? If he can bear to !

Exactly. The way he was politely shuffled on from the Uk was to protect British interests under the last govt, now he will be allowed in to protect British interests from the new bunch.

I hope that the new UK government stick to their guns and keep him out.

Then, when he finally assumes his rightful position as leader of an elected Thai government in Thailand, he will seriously <deleted> with all the whining Brits that have chosen to 'retire' in Thailand or become perpetual 'tourists' here.

Send 'em all back.

K. Thaksin has gone on record saying he wouldn't seek revenge. Of course I believe him. I only wonder why a self styled 'international gypsy' wouldn't ?

from your local Dutch uncle

Edited September 15, 201114 yr by rubl