Democrats urge PM to take Ombudsman's advice on Thaksin passport

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been urged to show leadership by acting on the Office of the Ombudsman's recommendation to revoke fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's passport.

Democrat party-list MP Ongart Klampaiboon, speaking as shadow foreign minister, said the Foreign Ministry had 30 days to counter the Ombudsman's recommendation that the ministry review its decision to grant Thaksin a new passport.

"The PM should demonstrate leadership by accepting the Ombudsman's recommendation, thereby proving wrong those critics who say the government wants to sabotage independent agencies and push for the issuance of a new passport for her brother [Thaksin],'' Ongart said.

Ongart said Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul should hold himself above the problem and let Foreign Ministry officials handle the matter.

The Ombudsman's letter of recommendation to the Foreign Ministry stated that Thaksin sought a new passport on October 25, 2011 at the Royal Thai embassy in the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders convicted him on corruption charges and sentenced him to two years in prison. The former PM was banned from leaving the country in 2008.

The Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs met and decided that according to ministerial regulation number 21, the department could exercise its judgement in regard to Thaksin's request.

The department also cited a policy issued by the Foreign Ministry that Thaksin should be given a new passport because his living abroad had not caused any damage to the country or foreign countries. The minister also cancelled the policy in regard to Thaksin's passport issued by the Abhisit government.

The Department of Consular Affairs issued a new passport, number U957441, on November 4 last year and sent it to Thaksin via the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The Ombudsman's letter stated that the Supreme Court had issued four arrest warrants for Thaksin since September 2008 and that he was on the Foreign Ministry's list of people banned from leaving the country. The fact that Thaksin had been sentenced to two years in jail was a significant factor depriving him of the right to have a passport according to ministerial directive number 21.

The agency said it believed the Foreign Ministry 's decision to grant a new passport to Thaksin contravened ministerial regulations and suggested that it review the decision and check with relevant agencies on Thaksin's records and status in regard to court cases.

Surapong said he would have the Foreign Ministry permanent secretary and the Foreign Ministry respond to the Ombudsman's suggestion. He insisted the decision to grant Thaksin a new passport was in line with regulations.

-- The Nation 2012-09-16

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

The bloke in the photos got a msssive head and as for his fingers!!! That is not a real photo.

Bloods thicker than water!!

A convicted criminal by his own countries laws, by judges appointed by said country, in self imposed exile still being granted a passport is incredulous

but then this is Thailand & we all know what that means!!

He'll have more air miles than us all put together, revoked.. NOT A CHANCE !!

Yup, this is gonna happen

Right after I fly to phuket on my flying pig

"The PM should demonstrate leadership by accepting the Ombudsman's recommendation, thereby proving wrong those critics who say the government wants to sabotage independent agencies and push for the issuance of a new passport for her brother [Thaksin],'' Ongart said.

Yingluck in reply was quoted as:

Five minutes of uncontrollable giggling

Raspberry

Five more minutes of giggling and then bolting to the nearest exit.

Perhaps I am missing something, but it is most interesting that the letter in the photo is not written in Thai but appears to be in English.

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

Yep - complete waste of time.

The bloke in the photos got a msssive head and as for his fingers!!! That is not a real photo.

Very observant sir! Makes it even more of a laugh.

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

Don't these guys know who is actually in charge?

Just like the TRCT, the Ombudsman was not PT sanctioned therefore it doesn't count.

Isn't that right, Khun Chalerm?

Things to do in parliament this week.

Bring Thaksin back to Thailand.

Restore Thaksin's diplomatic passport.

Send Foreign Minister on a jolly to had deliver above.

What else?

Oh I remember sack Ombudsman and put in another of Thaksins' relatives.

Things to do in parliament this week.

Bring Thaksin back to Thailand.

Restore Thaksin's diplomatic passport.

Send Foreign Minister on a jolly to had deliver above.

What else?

Oh I remember sack Ombudsman and put in another of Thaksins' relatives.

Exactly. They are a bit slower this time around getting the 'right' people into all the checks & balances jobs.

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

Yep - complete waste of time.

We all know that it isn't going to happen - it is meant only to create a bit of awkwardness/embarrassement for Yingluck and those involved in the issuance of his passport!!!

Also, it should make those countries allowing him to enter a little more reticent about doing so (like America and Japan) in the future!!

The elite are above awkwardness & embarrassment.. it just runs off like the rain.

The elite are above awkwardness & embarrassment.. it just runs off like the rain.

And if it doesn't, you just get some "minor flooding"... but heck... who's counting?!

So in summary - a convicted criminal jumps bail, has more warrants pending and arrests (5 actually not 4) due, his original passport was revoked, he already has bought himself citizenship in two other countries - so why does he even need a Thai Passport having renounced his heritage? And these clowns issued him another passport? Yep - makes perfect sense to me...

Edited September 16, 201213 yr by asiawatcher

I remember story of British girl from my town,who jumped bail in Bangkok after being busted smuggling drugs.Interpol was after her but it did not stop UK Embassy

to issue her new passport - all in line with the law and regulations.And she was - nobody;free like bird till today - keep running sweetheart!

It was act of civilised administration in civilised country : protect your citizens in distress abroad.

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

Yep - complete waste of time.

We all know that it isn't going to happen - it is meant only to create a bit of awkwardness/embarrassement for Yingluck and those involved in the issuance of his passport!!!

Also, it should make those countries allowing him to enter a little more reticent about doing so (like America and Japan) in the future!!

And the UK I hope.

The Likelihood of Yingluck revoking her Brother's passport? A big fat ZERO.

I don't think it is that good.

As usual the Nation got it wrong. They said

"the department could exercise its judgement in regard to Thaksin's request."

The report should have read the department had to issue the passport in order to earn the money they had recieved from Dubai.

I know just a small thing but it does throw a different light on the situation.

Perhaps I am missing something, but it is most interesting that the letter in the photo is not written in Thai but appears to be in English.

well spotted