All sides try to outdo each other over Thaksin

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government and the opposition yesterday raised a raft of issues involving former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, trying to gain political mileage by outwitting each other.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said a judge in the International Criminal Court had notified the opposition party that the ICC was interested in collecting evidence on the killings in connection with the "war on drugs" in 2002.

The ICC will assign a prosecutor and other officials to check evidence on the killings that occurred under the Thaksin administration, Chavanond said.

Responding to the ICC notification, Democrat MP Kasit Piromya and party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on will work together to collect and submit the evidence, including testimonies of victims' surviving family members, he said.

The Democrat spokesman called on the Foreign Ministry to recall the passport issued to Thaksin as per the ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman. He said the ministry should comply with the ruling before being charged with lapse of duty.

The ruling found that the Foreign Ministry had wrongfully issued the passport after an instruction from Foreign Minister Surapong Towi-chukchaikul even though such an instruction was a breach of the ministerial regulations.

The ministry had enforced regulations since 1999 to deny a passport to a fugitive who jumped bail and was under a court-sanctioned ban to travel overseas, the ruling said.

In its defence, the ministry said it was obliged to comply with the instruction from its political overseer Surapong.

Rebutting the Ombudsman, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government.

The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents.

He went on to cast doubt on the professional integrity of the Ombudsman.

"I wonder whether the Ombud-sman is actually inspecting state affairs or just working to validate complaints against Thaksin," he said.

The creation of the Office of Ombudsman was modelled after those in Scandinavian countries, he said. The intent of such a body is not to find fault in personal affairs or to act as a tool against political rivals, he added.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he had spoken with Thaksin recently by telephone.

Thaksin is in London currently and will visit Singapore on September 23 to watch the Formula One Grand Prix, Chalerm said.

He said their conversation did not touch on politics, although Thaksin paid attention to everything happening in Thailand.

He said he did not know whether the former leader could overcome his legal wrangling and return home this year.

In regard to a suggestion by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand for Thaksin to exit politics, he said he saw such a call as a violation of an individual's right to political engagement.

-- The Nation 2012-09-15

Thaksin is a great card to play, by either side, when trying to avoid addressing real issues of today.

...trying to gain political mileage by outwitting each other.

Outwitting each other....that's funny. But what's not funny is the politicians do seem to be outwitting the voters of Thailand.

GIve me a break? "Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government. The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents."

And this guy is a lawyer? His client jumped bail, and had his passport was cancelled. Where is the 'injustice'? The only injustice here is this convicted criminal is not paying his dues for his crimes against the Thai people. As for no precedents, there are - others who have jumped bail and had their passports cancelled. More verbal diarrhea from the puppet masters puppets.

GIve me a break? "Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government. The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents."

And this guy is a lawyer? His client jumped bail, and had his passport was cancelled. Where is the 'injustice'? The only injustice here is this convicted criminal is not paying his dues for his crimes against the Thai people. As for no precedents, there are - others who have jumped bail and had their passports cancelled. More verbal diarrhea from the puppet masters puppets.

Any why USA allows a criminal in, while ban Thai bar girls?

Still all about Thaksin for the Democrats, yes have an investigation into the drug killings, but this passport whinge is just making them look obsessive.....nobody really cares what passport Thaksin is travelling on.....I mean really..... do they?

Well, Thaksin is coming down to Singapore later this month for the F1... Hope to have him over for dinner. The gf is real excited.... :-)

Well, Thaksin is coming down to Singapore later this month for the F1... Hope to have him over for dinner. The gf is real excited.... :-)

Wow can you do a favour for the Democrats......ask him which passport he used to enter the country......I am not sure the Democrats will be able to contain their excitement while they await the news

Well, Thaksin is coming down to Singapore later this month for the F1... Hope to have him over for dinner. The gf is real excited.... :-)

Don't do it, the Dems will only ask you to make a Citizens arrest.............

Still all about Thaksin for the Democrats, yes have an investigation into the drug killings, but this passport whinge is just making them look obsessive.....nobody really cares what passport Thaksin is travelling on.....I mean really..... do they?

To be fair, dear Geo, the topic has "All sides try to outdo each other". That includes the "Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts" led government and k. Thaksin's relatives who seem to use their official position to help him.

As k. Thaksin reneged on his solemn promise to return immediately after the Bejing Olympics and jumped bail, it seems logical for the then government to cancel his passport. In a way also a bureaucratic move to force surrender as most (ordinary) people only have one passport

Anyway it's a nice Saturday afternoon, no rain yet, let's relax. To show reconciliation should I put on a bright shirt and go to Democracy Monument to join the fun? Mostly good shopping opportunities and good food. Still a heavy downpour in an hour or two is not unlikely. Choices, choices, life ain't easy

What is this “legal wrangling”; I thought a court had passed sentence, no wrangling there. If he can show miscarriage of justice then appeal…

Seeing as our man dubai's whereabouts will be know on September 23rd, one wonders if the Thai goverment will request the Singapore goverment to detain the gentleman concerned pending extradition proceedings being starting, wasnt one of the excuses last we can get him arrested cos we dont know were he is ?

Well it appears the gentleman concerned is publishing his appointments publically, so all that remains to be seen is if the Thai legal system/Goverment has the b*lls or commitment to justice as they keep staying they have, as if he is currently in London, I am pretty sure a quick telephone call to the UK will get him detained as well if the Thai goverment so wills it..

I'm loving it! Keep those charges coming, keep up the pressure and don't let the weasel slip under the radar.

AsI understand it he is a criminal who skiped bail to avoid going to jail, so how did he get a visa to visit the uk?

from what I read a criminal record is a big no no when you ask for a visa.

Seeing as our man dubai's whereabouts will be know on September 23rd, one wonders if the Thai goverment will request the Singapore goverment to detain the gentleman concerned pending extradition proceedings being starting, wasnt one of the excuses last we can get him arrested cos we dont know were he is ?

Well it appears the gentleman concerned is publishing his appointments publically, so all that remains to be seen is if the Thai legal system/Goverment has the b*lls or commitment to justice as they keep staying they have, as if he is currently in London, I am pretty sure a quick telephone call to the UK will get him detained as well if the Thai goverment so wills it..

A good vote of confidence in the government then, you expect they can achieve where failure was only too apparent in the Democrats frantic but fruitless chase to bring the man home!! - oh but they did take away his passport, that stumped him for sure.....

AsI understand it he is a criminal who skiped bail to avoid going to jail, so how did he get a visa to visit the uk?

from what I read a criminal record is a big no no when you ask for a visa.

Did the democrats have the balls, or any incentive to deal with a return of Thaksin?

Well, Thaksin is coming down to Singapore later this month for the F1... Hope to have him over for dinner. The gf is real excited.... :-)

Don't do it, the Dems will only ask you to make a Citizens arrest.............

Proud to be an admirer of a ruthless criminal who isn’t shy of leading his followers into a deathtrap. All part of his own political agenda.

The guy must be laughing at you.

AsI understand it he is a criminal who skiped bail to avoid going to jail, so how did he get a visa to visit the uk?

from what I read a criminal record is a big no no when you ask for a visa.

Did the democrats have the balls, or any incentive to deal with a return of Thaksin?

Does Thaksin have the balls to come back? Only cowards bark from a distance.

GIve me a break? "Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government. The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents."

And this guy is a lawyer? His client jumped bail, and had his passport was cancelled. Where is the 'injustice'? The only injustice here is this convicted criminal is not paying his dues for his crimes against the Thai people. As for no precedents, there are - others who have jumped bail and had their passports cancelled. More verbal diarrhea from the puppet masters puppets.

Any why USA allows a criminal in, while ban Thai bar girls?

Maybe the USA was "forced" to do something controversial?

Besides the fact that you don't understand politics, do you understand why his trip was cancelled halfway through?

GIve me a break? "Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government. The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents."

And this guy is a lawyer? His client jumped bail, and had his passport was cancelled. Where is the 'injustice'? The only injustice here is this convicted criminal is not paying his dues for his crimes against the Thai people. As for no precedents, there are - others who have jumped bail and had their passports cancelled. More verbal diarrhea from the puppet masters puppets.

Any why USA allows a criminal in, while ban Thai bar girls?

And the UK.

GIve me a break? "Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said he disagreed with the ruling. He said that in his opinion, the passport was issued to rectify the injustice inflicted on Thaksin under the Democrat-led government. The previous government cancelled Thaksin's passport without justification, he said, as an act of political vendetta without any precedents."

And this guy is a lawyer? His client jumped bail, and had his passport was cancelled. Where is the 'injustice'? The only injustice here is this convicted criminal is not paying his dues for his crimes against the Thai people. As for no precedents, there are - others who have jumped bail and had their passports cancelled. More verbal diarrhea from the puppet masters puppets.

Any why USA allows a criminal in, while ban Thai bar girls?

And the UK.

And Thailand

One point Thaksin scammed Temasek Holdings in Singapore and their shares dropped 90% or thereabouts within a few months. Thaksin scored USD1.88BN and despite a lot of finger pointing and controversy with the Thai SEC, the Tax man, he never paid tax. So if the Singapore authorities want to take a look at this guy on the run, may be the perfect time. Snatch him and then extradite him back to Thailand when they are done with him. .

Also on Wkik - they report - Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions judge Pongphet Vichitchonchai (of a 9-judge panel, with the concurrence of Justice Pornpetch), on October 15, 2008, issued a 5th arrest warrant against Thaksin, for failure to appear at the hearing of his "Sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings" case, due to self-imposed exile in London since last month.

This guy has his sticky little fingers in quite a few holes and like Thailand - leaves a trail of destruction despite his 'lawyer' making counter claims to the contrary.

AsI understand it he is a criminal who skiped bail to avoid going to jail, so how did he get a visa to visit the uk?

from what I read a criminal record is a big no no when you ask for a visa.

When you pull a stunt like a coup, not many other countries will take you very seriously.

The turn with the ICC, if we are to believe what's written here, is definately interesting though, we'll see what happens. I would expect, if it is done objectively and professionally, the list of bad guys is going to be very very long.

AsI understand it he is a criminal who skiped bail to avoid going to jail, so how did he get a visa to visit the uk?

from what I read a criminal record is a big no no when you ask for a visa.

When you pull a stunt like a coup, not many other countries will take you very seriously.

The turn with the ICC, if we are to believe what's written here, is definately interesting though, we'll see what happens. I would expect, if it is done objectively and professionally, the list of bad guys is going to be very very long.

The Rome treaty was signed, but not ratified in parliament. So, ICC has no jurisdiction here in Thailand unless someone or some organisation can indicate Thailand is a failed state regarding it's juridicy. The option suggested and forwarded to the MoJ and MoFA by Pheu Thai parlty list MP and UDD leader Dr. weng 'a one-off recognition' for the March-May 2010 incident seems somewhat naive, or maybe just for local consumption.

Anyway with both Dept. PM Pol. Captain Chalerm and UDD president Ms. Thida seemingly rejecting the final TRCT report the (informal) list of bad guys seems to increase