'Ministry Or USA Should Confirm Thaksin Visa'

[Scott]

There are a lot of unknowns, although the last update helps to clear a little bit up.

First of all, Thaksin would most likely have had a 10 year visa from a long time ago. Did it expire? Was it simply renewed and transferred to a new passport?

Second, NASA is not a big player in the political arena and would likely not be involved in any high level negotiation over the use of U-Tapao. It's a scientific study, not a clandestine military operation.

Although there is a difference between granting a visa and actually entering the country, the visa would not be granted if there was reason to believe that he is excludable from entry. Thaksin and Thailand simply are not big enough players to bend the rules a lot on his behalf.

If he was turned down for a visa (and he may very well have been in the past), would he or PT risk the loss of face of announcing it?

The Thai Foreign Ministry may need to answer about why there are no international arrest warrants for someone who is wanted for a crime.

[bigbamboo]

Haha, do it. Hurt Thailand way more than US. How many millions in foreign aid did we give Thailand last year and how many did they give us? Thailand severing ties would save US tax payers a lot of money.

Let's see if China comes running to assist next time there is a natural disaster or who will bail Thailand out if Chinese currency credit swaps implode, their currency appreciates rapidly and causes instability in Asian markets with heavy reliance and dependence upon them. Haha, Thailands needs a reality check as its national language could become Chinese without US backing or support.

Thailand apparently has no comprehension of the economic pressure we can place on both China and Japan. We have 3.2 trillion of China's currency. We can also cause their currency to rapidly appreciate thereby making their products no longer cheaper than US products. Japan, well Japan will play ball with US even without economic pressures. I am seeing visions of Japanese plants in Mexico.

You're barking up the wrong tree.

It's not Thailand that want to sever ties with the USA but a nutcase who happened to be the foreign minister of the previous democrat government and a PAD leader, which shows how out of touch with the reality these two organizations are.

Your right, but unfortunately nut cases in or with perceived power tend to have a knack for messing it up for all the rest. Thailand seems like such a bandwagon population. They hear something from their guy so it must be true and then they jump on for the ride.

People like this guy are just keeping Thailand so messed up. Really sucks for all the good people in Thailand who deserve better.

The good people of Thailand do not deserve better, they deserve the government they elected, as is the case in all democracies.

Are you saying that half the American voters deserved George Dubya? A bit harsh that.

And is Suarpong for real? All politicians lie... not just the opposition.

Edited July 8, 2012 by bigbamboo

[Moruya]

Well I took a cursory scan of the article read two posts and came to the conclusion must be a slow day for news.

Who cares if they did they did and maybe the states should set up a United States Visa Forum and complain about who they let in to there country.

If Thailand wants reconciliation they are going to have t stop fixating on Thaksin. such a article as this is as important to Thailand as the TV forum of various opinions is to Thailand. It is merely a chance to keep the Thaksin story going.

I believe this site may have been spawned from US Visa but I wouldn't bet more than a cold beer on it

[Moruya]

Thaksin's US VISA exchanges with nothing: Surapong

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Phnom Penh

BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra obtained US entry VISA since May this year, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, dismissing an allegation made by the opposition of exchange with Utapao use.

The former premier applied the visa from the country where he lived in exile since April and the United States granted him a multiple visa, which is valid for 10 years, on May 6, according to Surapong.

The opposition Democrat Party alleged earlier that the current government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra offered the US to use Utapao airbase for NASA scientific research project in exchange with the visa for Thaksin.

The Democrat alleged that foreign minister Surapong made the deal during his visit to the US on June 11-17.

Surapong said the request to use Utapao and Thaksin's visa were not related matters and the former premier obtained visa more than a month before the visit.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a cancellation of its weather research project on June 26 as Thailand failed to grant permission to use facility at Utapao airbase on schedule.

"The opposition should not politicize the issue only for their interest. Such destructive politics could hurt our country," Surapong told reporters in Phnom Penh where he arrived on Sunday for Asean meeting.

Surapong demanded the oppositions to take responsibility for false accusation against him and the foreign ministry.

"Shame on the oppositions, they should confess before priests for this sinful act, if they were Christians or make merit to release the sin if they were Buddhists," he said.

Surapong said he did not know about Thaksin's visa until a phone call to the ex-PM over the weekend after the news of the visa granted broken by Thaksin's legal advisor Noppadon Pattama.

-- The Nation 2012-07-08

It would be interesting to gear Surapong go to confession for sure. He's broken at least one of the commandments- thou shalt not covet thy boss' husband's bank balance. That must be worth a million hail Marys.

[hellodolly]

Haha, do it. Hurt Thailand way more than US. How many millions in foreign aid did we give Thailand last year and how many did they give us? Thailand severing ties would save US tax payers a lot of money.

Let's see if China comes running to assist next time there is a natural disaster or who will bail Thailand out if Chinese currency credit swaps implode, their currency appreciates rapidly and causes instability in Asian markets with heavy reliance and dependence upon them. Haha, Thailands needs a reality check as its national language could become Chinese without US backing or support.

Thailand apparently has no comprehension of the economic pressure we can place on both China and Japan. We have 3.2 trillion of China's currency. We can also cause their currency to rapidly appreciate thereby making their products no longer cheaper than US products. Japan, well Japan will play ball with US even without economic pressures. I am seeing visions of Japanese plants in Mexico.

You're barking up the wrong tree.

It's not Thailand that want to sever ties with the USA but a nutcase who happened to be the foreign minister of the previous democrat government and a PAD leader, which shows how out of touch with the reality these two organizations are.

Your right, but unfortunately nut cases in or with perceived power tend to have a knack for messing it up for all the rest. Thailand seems like such a bandwagon population. They hear something from their guy so it must be true and then they jump on for the ride.

People like this guy are just keeping Thailand so messed up. Really sucks for all the good people in Thailand who deserve better.

The good people of Thailand do not deserve better, they deserve the government they elected, as is the case in all democracies.

If 52% do not vote for it why do they deserve what the 48% who did vote for it got. Thailand deserves better and that is why 52% did not vote for what they got.

[Buchholz]

"Shame on the oppositions, they should confess before priests for this sinful act, if they were Christians or make merit to release the sin if they were Buddhists," he said.

The rather bizarre introduction of religiosity into the issue by Thaksin's cousin.

Surapong said he did not know about Thaksin's visa until a phone call to the ex-PM over the weekend after the news of the visa granted broken by Thaksin's legal advisor Noppadon Pattama.

Hmmm... slightly less than believable given his past U-turn in announcements in which it was eventually revealed that Surapong had obtained a Japanese visa for Thaksin after his cousin requested him to do so.

Especially when coupled with his rather extraordinary efforts involved in personally delivering Thaksin's new passport to him in Dubai at the beginning of his service as Foreign Minister.

.

[pattayaronbo]

His time is coming, eiher at the US border or somehwere in between. Either we have the next coup.

What is the EU doing about him? I think not much.

[whybother]

There are a lot of unknowns, although the last update helps to clear a little bit up.

First of all, Thaksin would most likely have had a 10 year visa from a long time ago. Did it expire? Was it simply renewed and transferred to a new passport?

Second, NASA is not a big player in the political arena and would likely not be involved in any high level negotiation over the use of U-Tapao. It's a scientific study, not a clandestine military operation.

Although there is a difference between granting a visa and actually entering the country, the visa would not be granted if there was reason to believe that he is excludable from entry. Thaksin and Thailand simply are not big enough players to bend the rules a lot on his behalf.

If he was turned down for a visa (and he may very well have been in the past), would he or PT risk the loss of face of announcing it?

The Thai Foreign Ministry may need to answer about why there are no international arrest warrants for someone who is wanted for a crime.

This ...

First of all, Thaksin would most likely have had a 10 year visa from a long time ago. Did it expire? Was it simply renewed and transferred to a new passport?

... doesn't gel with this ...

The former premier applied the visa from the country where he lived in exile since April and the United States granted him a multiple visa, which is valid for 10 years, on May 6, according to Surapong.

Can you "renew" a visa? He applied for a visa, so it doesn't seem to be a renewal or a transfer.

[animatic]

If the claim is true, it means the US does not respect Thailand's justice system but insults the country's law and integrity

Nail on head!

Indeed. They will make use of it and give it tacit approval when it functions properly, but any sentient being with half a law degree knows the justice system here is bonkers.

"Ex-foreign minister says people should sever ties with US"

But apparently not as bonkers as K. Kasit at the moment.

On the other hand granting a entrance visa to Thaksin,

makes it easy to take him into custody once he steps on US soil.

What is to say he is given the visa to enable his own stupidity of use?

Edited July 8, 2012 by animatic

[Moruya]

If the claim is true, it means the US does not respect Thailand's justice system but insults the country's law and integrity

Nail on head!

Indeed. They will make use of it and give it tacit approval when it functions properly, but any sentient being with half a law degree knows the justice system here is bonkers.

"Ex-foreign minister says people should sever ties with US"

But apparently not as bonkers as K. Kasit at the moment.

On the other hand granting a entrance visa to Thaksin,

makes it easy to take him into custody once he steps on US soil.

What is to say he is given the visa to enable his own stupidity of use?

Exactly.

Sathit is a few lobes short of a complete cerebrum. Always was. Did Thailand more harm than good when dealing with the Cambodians and the Germans and probably a few more.

I would imagine Ms. Kenney choked on her cornflakes reading his comments.

Maybe he said it to shock a few people, maybe to up the ante.

He's barmy enough to suggest declaring war on the US. Maybe the army can give him a few old Remingtons, stick him in their chocolate teapot of a blimp and help him find an easterly wind. Might even find him one day frozen solid in Vancouver with a pack of Mama in his hand.

[Woodcaulk]

A former Thai ambassador to the US, Kasit said the party had only made an observation and it was not sure what had actually happened, so the US must clarify the matter.

What sort of "former ambassador" would not have the necessary contacts to pick up the phone and find out whether it actually happened or not???? He must not have made many friends during his time as an ambassador

[whybother]

A former Thai ambassador to the US, Kasit said the party had only made an observation and it was not sure what had actually happened, so the US must clarify the matter.

What sort of "former ambassador" would not have the necessary contacts to pick up the phone and find out whether it actually happened or not???? He must not have made many friends during his time as an ambassador

You can't do it through back channels when you want to make political mileage out of it.

[mca]

We were told not so long ago he could only travel to third world hell holes.

Well he was pictured in Manchester a few months ago so it'd be difficult to disagree with that.

Have you been to Manchester?

Frequently. My aunt used to live there.

[Scott]

This ...

First of all, Thaksin would most likely have had a 10 year visa from a long time ago. Did it expire? Was it simply renewed and transferred to a new passport?

... doesn't gel with this ...

The former premier applied the visa from the country where he lived in exile since April and the United States granted him a multiple visa, which is valid for 10 years, on May 6, according to Surapong.

Can you "renew" a visa? He applied for a visa, so it doesn't seem to be a renewal or a transfer.

No, you can't renew a visa, nor can you have two visa's simultaneously. He would most likely have had a visa before he left Thailand. If it expired, he could apply for another. If it hadn't expired, then he would have had to try and get it transferred to another passport.

[Moruya]

We were told not so long ago he could only travel to third world hell holes.

Well he was pictured in Manchester a few months ago so it'd be difficult to disagree with that.

Have you been to Manchester?

Frequently. My aunt used to live there.

Parts of it on a par with the 3rd world?

Filthiest town hall I've seen.

Still, the Rusholm chippie was and maybe still is a monument to food

[TinoThailand]

Help NASA first and then talk... haha just joking guys... not much to say about it, will see...

[americaninbangkok]

... how can he ask US to respect Thailand's justice system and not insult country's law and integrity, when its own government does not respect the justice system and has no integrity.

Nail on head!

[americaninbangkok]

If the claim is true, it means the US does not respect Thailand's justice system but insults the country's law and integrity

Nail on head!

It probably means they want to hold him to account for his wrongdoings in the US.

Once he's paid the price there they can forward him to Bang Kwang

Here's an entertaining scenario:

1. The US issues a visa to Thaksin.

2. Thaksingoes to the US.

3. The US arrests him on existing charges and deports/extradites him to Thailand.

4. Now the onus is on Thailand to figure out what to do with him.

a. Set him free? Then US did nothing wrong.

b. Incarcerate him? Good luck getting Yingluck to do that!

But it will all go to demonstrate "Thailand's justice system... [and] the country's law and integrity".

[ttelise]

Well I took a cursory scan of the article read two posts and came to the conclusion must be a slow day for news.

Who cares if they did they did and maybe the states should set up a United States Visa Forum and complain about who they let in to there country.

If Thailand wants reconciliation they are going to have t stop fixating on Thaksin. such a article as this is as important to Thailand as the TV forum of various opinions is to Thailand. It is merely a chance to keep the Thaksin story going.

A voice of reason. I agree Thailand will remain a mess as long as everyone fixates on Thaksin. Just look at these threads and I bet most of the posters are nit even Thai.

[Reasonableman]

Well I took a cursory scan of the article read two posts and came to the conclusion must be a slow day for news.

Who cares if they did they did and maybe the states should set up a United States Visa Forum and complain about who they let in to there country.

If Thailand wants reconciliation they are going to have t stop fixating on Thaksin. such a article as this is as important to Thailand as the TV forum of various opinions is to Thailand. It is merely a chance to keep the Thaksin story going.

A voice of reason. I agree Thailand will remain a mess as long as everyone fixates on Thaksin. Just look at these threads and I bet most of the posters are nit even Thai.

And of those, it seems many are not even in Thailand, let alone resident here. What's the fascination?

[Skywalker69]

So you are saying that if YOU haven't seen or heard anything then in must be false ? lol!!

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has, for the past few months, sought and received visa to enter the United States, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said on Friday

read again what i said.

There is no confirmation or evidence but just words of a puppet.

I can make a statement that i have 3 brains, but it does not for certain mean i have 3 brains just because i said so, does it?

PS. Have YOU seen the visa?

I am 100% sure he hasn´t

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[ttelise]

You're barking up the wrong tree.

It's not Thailand that want to sever ties with the USA but a nutcase who happened to be the foreign minister of the previous democrat government and a PAD leader, which shows how out of touch with the reality these two organizations are.

Your right, but unfortunately nut cases in or with perceived power tend to have a knack for messing it up for all the rest. Thailand seems like such a bandwagon population. They hear something from their guy so it must be true and then they jump on for the ride.

People like this guy are just keeping Thailand so messed up. Really sucks for all the good people in Thailand who deserve better.

The good people of Thailand do not deserve better, they deserve the government they elected, as is the case in all democracies.

If 52% do not vote for it why do they deserve what the 48% who did vote for it got. Thailand deserves better and that is why 52% did not vote for what they got.

Haha, comments such as these reflect that people just don't get it. Neither my post nor the problems in Thailand have anything to do with percentage of vote, who is in power, what side is in power or where Thaksin ate breakfast this morning. These problems and attitudes pervade no matter who is in power and serve only as a basis for acting irrationally, spewing ignorance and keeping tension present.

So . . . One should ask how are all of these people served who persist on keeping tension present by focusing on the problem rather than the solutions.

[ttelise]

Well I took a cursory scan of the article read two posts and came to the conclusion must be a slow day for news.

Who cares if they did they did and maybe the states should set up a United States Visa Forum and complain about who they let in to there country.

If Thailand wants reconciliation they are going to have t stop fixating on Thaksin. such a article as this is as important to Thailand as the TV forum of various opinions is to Thailand. It is merely a chance to keep the Thaksin story going.

A voice of reason. I agree Thailand will remain a mess as long as everyone fixates on Thaksin. Just look at these threads and I bet most of the posters are nit even Thai.

And of those, it seems many are not even in Thailand, let alone resident here. What's the fascination?

Does it matter why I care? Shouldn't. Rather than focus on problem find some collateral issue or matter to shift focus to. Very indicative of problem hammering Thailand.

[inquisitive]

So you are saying that if YOU haven't seen or heard anything then in must be false ? lol!!

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has, for the past few months, sought and received visa to enter the United States, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said on Friday

read again what i said.

There is no confirmation or evidence but just words of a puppet.

I can make a statement that i have 3 brains, but it does not for certain mean i have 3 brains just because i said so, does it?

PS. Have YOU seen the visa?

I think I have made and will rest my case.

Promise?

[theajarn]

"We have always given the US our cooperation. If the US does not cooperate with us [and extradite Thaksin], we must condemn and all Thais must sever ties with the US,'' he said.

And THIS explains all the more why the 'democrats' are no better than the half-wit redshirts. In fact I'm beginning to respect the redshirts. Hey, at least they follow their leader/s!

[phl]

"We have always given the US our cooperation. If the US does not cooperate with us [and extradite Thaksin], we must condemn and all Thais must sever ties with the US,'' he said.

And THIS explains all the more why the 'democrats' are no better than the half-wit redshirts. In fact I'm beginning to respect the redshirts. Hey, at least they follow their leader/s!

and what exactly does it explain?

For US to cooperate, government needs to file for an extradition, where this government is actually issuing new passport and making phone calls to get advise on how to tie a shoe lace.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts have been removed.

[OZEMADE]

Do persons with Diplomatic Passports require a Visa. I thought that Thaksin was granted a Diplomatic Passport some time ago?

[waza]

He should be barred from the USA for his association with Robert Gabriel Mugabe