Likely About-Turn On Thaksin's Passport Seen As A Move To Save The Govt

[Lite Beer]

ANALYSIS

Likely about-turn on Thaksin's passport seen as a move to save the govt

Nuntida Puangthong

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry's likely U-turn on the issue of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's passport reflects a strategy of "nipping in the bud" any threat to the Yingluck government after realising the dangers of a political backlash if it refuses to revoke the passport issued to the fugitive leader last year.

The Foreign Ministry early this week was preparing to issue a letter to the Ombudsman's Office, stating that it will not review its issuance of a Thai passport to Thaksin. But the latest development is that the ministry has had a change of heart.

The ministry on Friday submitted a letter to the Ombudsman's Office requesting that the office give it another 30 days to collect complete information and relevant documents to clarify its issuance of a travelling document to Thaksin.

Acting on a complaint filed by Somsak Kosaisuk, former core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Ombudsman's Office submitted its recommendation on September 13 that the Foreign Ministry review the issue of Thaksin's passport. The ministry must respond to the Ombudsman within 30 days.

The decision whether Thaksin's passport should be cancelled is not so complicated that the ministry needs more time to scrutinise the matter. When it first received the request from the Ombudsman's Office, the ministry did not seem to be perturbed. The U-turn could be interpreted as a change in the government's stance on the matter.

Reports said that the ministry's review of its decision could point towards Thaksin's passport being revoked again.

Thaksin's Thai passport was revoked the first time after his government was brought down by the September 19, 2006 coup. Two months after General Surayud Chulanont was installed as PM, Thaksin's special passport as PM and his ordinary passport were revoked. The Foreign Ministry cited its 2005 ministerial directive number 8 that PM and diplomats must give up their special passport after leaving the office. According to the protocol, the Foreign Ministry can resort to revoking travelling documents in such circumstances.

Thaksin was given back his ordinary passport when Noppadon Pattama became Foreign Minister in 2008 but his passport was revoked again by the Abhisit government.

After the April 11, 2009 riots, when the red shirts forced the cancellation of a summit of Asean leaders in Pattaya, then foreign minister Kasit Piromya cited Foreign Ministry directive No 23 (7) to revoke Thaksin's passport on the grounds that his stay overseas had caused damage to the country and to foreign countries. Kasit said that Thaksin had incited the red shirts to stage riots, which posed a security threat to the country.

Since the passport issue has been regarded by Thaksin as a political subject, once his sister became the premier, he got his passport back. The Yingluck government pointed out that it has a different political perspective from those of the Surayud and Abhisit governments on the matter.

But what's behind the government's sudden change of heart over whether to revoke Thaksin's passport?

The answer is this issue can be used by the judicial activists to exercise their mandate.

If the Foreign Ministry ignores or rejects the recommendation, the matter would not be put to rest but likely be brought to the Administrative Court by the Ombudsman's Office.

The Foreign Ministry cannot rule out the possibility that the Administrative Court would order the ministry to revoke Thaksin's passport. If this is the case, the Yingluck government would come under attack from many state agencies. First, the National Anti-Corruption Commission can take action against relevant state officials from directors-general, the ministry's permanent secretary, the Foreign Minister and PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

The fact is that Thaksin does not really need the Thai passport because he has a Montenegro passport that he can use to travel everywhere except to Thailand. The revocation of the passport once again will only be a blow to his ego.

But it looks like he has to give in otherwise he would be opening a legal channel for the judicial activists to exercise their power and history may repeat itself. His nominee PM may be replaced again.

One strategy the Pheu Thai Party must stick to is to avoid doing anything that could lead to the party being disbanded. Thaksin knows too well he must nip in the bud this impending storm over his passport.

-- The Nation 2012-10-14

[lizardtongue]

Are we expected to believe that the PM has not spoken to her brother and given him the heads up?

[noitom]

And the press keeps making him the center of attention. Preposterous. That can only mean that the press knowingly propagandizes Thaksin as the de facto leader of Thailand. Why else would they keep running 2-3-4 stories a day centered on him?

[Ricardo]

It takes only a few days, for the flooded Foreign Ministry to issue a new passport & get it to the disgraced former-PM in the UAE, but it will take up to 30 days to collate and review the information in their own Bangkok offices upon which that was based, and then draft the reply to the Ombudsman ?

Things must go better, for the men at the Ministry, when they're flooded-out !

[hellodolly]

With a little bit of luck this will all blow up in their face and force the government to actively pursue Thaksin for the crime he has been convicted of and the ones he stands to go to trial for. All ready a arrest warrant is out for just one of those crimes he is accused of many more to follow,

Even invalidating his passport might not be enough to get the PT out of the coming storm.

[RogueExpat]

Amazing Thailand!

This is the second fairly accurate news report today, after the MIB one.

The talks by the government of passport revocation and distancing themselves from one of the world's most successful thieves in the past week are just a ploy to extend this government's term in office.

Obviously the main man himself has got the jitters and sees it as the only way to keep the apparatus for milking the cow contolled by his minions. The other party heavyweights will not object in the face of possibly being booted out of office.

[rixalex]

And the press keeps making him the center of attention. Preposterous. That can only mean that the press knowingly propagandizes Thaksin as the de facto leader of Thailand. Why else would they keep running 2-3-4 stories a day centered on him?

The press keep running stories on him because, if you hadn't noticed, he is running the country. Kind of makes him newsworthy wouldn't you say?

[Noistar]

And the press keeps making him the center of attention. Preposterous. That can only mean that the press knowingly propagandizes Thaksin as the de facto leader of Thailand. Why else would they keep running 2-3-4 stories a day centered on him?

The press keep running stories on him because, if you hadn't noticed, he is running the country. Kind of makes him newsworthy wouldn't you say?

But does pander to his ego.

Would be nice if stories could concentrate on the PM. Bit difficult I know. Nailing a jelly would be easier than finding any action to accuse her of

[473geo]

Yes well done PTP smart move....one might think somebody from the Nation is reading my posts

[kimamey]

With a little bit of luck this will all blow up in their face and force the government to actively pursue Thaksin for the crime he has been convicted of and the ones he stands to go to trial for. All ready a arrest warrant is out for just one of those crimes he is accused of many more to follow,

Even invalidating his passport might not be enough to get the PT out of the coming storm.

I'm not sure why they didn't realise giving Thaksin back his passport was going to cause them problems. It's not that difficult to work out.

[473geo]

With a little bit of luck this will all blow up in their face and force the government to actively pursue Thaksin for the crime he has been convicted of and the ones he stands to go to trial for. All ready a arrest warrant is out for just one of those crimes he is accused of many more to follow,

Even invalidating his passport might not be enough to get the PT out of the coming storm.

I'm not sure why they didn't realise giving Thaksin back his passport was going to cause them problems. It's not that difficult to work out.

What is difficult to work out, is just why this minor issue, compared to the many major issues in Thailand, is elevated to the pinnacle of government business......

[Thai at Heart]

Interesting , had no idea they revoked his passport straight after the coup.

[rubl]

Interesting , had no idea they revoked his passport straight after the coup.

Strange! This item from 2007-01-11 mentioned that the diplomatic passport was revoked, but NOT the normal one.

"Thaksin, however, is permitted to to carry an ordinary Thai passport that will enable him to travel abroad but without the privileges of the diplomatic one with the red cover."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/11/headlines/headlines_30023853.php

[yoshiwara]

There is no way round it. Thaksin is a wanted criminal.

Every time a PT minister or party member visits Thaksin they are forced to deny that they are there on official business or intend discussing any government issues.

They too know that they are visiting a criminal and have to deny and lie.

But he is the paymaster and the kissing of hands is an indignity they have to perform.

[slapout]

I think thaksin is more a "unwanted criminal" Many of those in the present government and even including some in the prior three governments were probably party to his scams. I doubt that any of them trust the others involved to honor and 'code of honor' about ratting each other out If he returned and he and all witnesses were called before the various courts, I can invision a real destruction derby in the Thai political system.

[TruthEyes]

There is no way round it. Thaksin is a wanted criminal.

It is a somewhat confusing conundrum.

The thai judicial system says he is, but the International judicial system (Interpol) says he isn't

[yoshiwara]

There is no way round it. Thaksin is a wanted criminal.

It is a somewhat confusing conundrum.

The thai judicial system says he is, but the International judicial system (Interpol) says he isn't

Nothing confusing at all, but red supporters would certainly like the conviction to be annulled. A little difficult when Thaksin did not challenge the evidence against him.

[TruthEyes]

There is no way round it. Thaksin is a wanted criminal.

It is a somewhat confusing conundrum.

The thai judicial system says he is, but the International judicial system (Interpol) says he isn't

Nothing confusing at all, but red supporters would certainly like the conviction to be annulled. A little difficult when Thaksin did not challenge the evidence against him.

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

[rubl]

There is no way round it. Thaksin is a wanted criminal.

It is a somewhat confusing conundrum.

The thai judicial system says he is, but the International judicial system (Interpol) says he isn't

Nothing confusing at all, but red supporters would certainly like the conviction to be annulled. A little difficult when Thaksin did not challenge the evidence against him.

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

K. Thaksin is sentenced to two years imprisonment. He jumped bail. He's a fugitive criminal. There are arrest warrants out to get him.

Interpol only gets involved upon request. The first request from the then government was met with a need for all papers to be properly translated. Neither the previous nor the current government could be bothered. As such Interpol doesn't have an official opinion on Thaksin.

In the mean time here in Thailand k. Thaksin is and remains a fugitive criminal in self-exile

[whybother]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Does that mean that anyone with a conviction that is on the run, that doesn't have an Interpol arrest warrant, isn't really on the run?

[yoshiwara]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Does that mean that anyone with a conviction that is on the run, that doesn't have an Interpol arrest warrant, isn't really on the run?

No, it just means that Interpol are not after him.

[Noistar]

With a little bit of luck this will all blow up in their face and force the government to actively pursue Thaksin for the crime he has been convicted of and the ones he stands to go to trial for. All ready a arrest warrant is out for just one of those crimes he is accused of many more to follow,

Even invalidating his passport might not be enough to get the PT out of the coming storm.

I'm not sure why they didn't realise giving Thaksin back his passport was going to cause them problems. It's not that difficult to work out.

What is difficult to work out, is just why this minor issue, compared to the many major issues in Thailand, is elevated to the pinnacle of government business......

Is all this Government activity intended to benefit Thailand or the ruling party?

Umm! Possibly the answer to your question?

[thaiedward]

Power Corrupts.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.

I should know because I drink a fair-amount of Absolut and there are more old-drunks than old-doctors.

Collusion is ancillary to corruption...what was I saying?

Kind regards

[GentlemanJim]

Likely about-turn on Thaksin's passport seen as a move to save the govt

Wouldn't it have been such a major leap forward for this country, and perhaps displayed a glimmer of hope if the news heading had said

Likely about-turn on Thaksin's passport seen as a move to save the principles of democracy

[TruthEyes]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Does that mean that anyone with a conviction that is on the run, that doesn't have an Interpol arrest warrant, isn't really on the run?

No, it just means that Interpol are not after him.

I am sure that the democratic "grown ups" at Interpol gave due consideration to the points you raise, but then quite correctly concluded that the charges and "conviction" against taksin S were politically motivated by the ruling military govenment at the time.

[Arkady]

On a strict interpretation of Thai nationality law Thaksin should have lost his Thai nationality after he first naturalised as an alien. See Section 22 of the Nationality Act below:

"Section 22. A person of Thai nationality who has been naturalized as an alien, or who has renounced Thai nationality, or whose Thai nationality has been revoked, shall lose Thai nationality."

Although there is no evidence that the current Nationality Act has ever been interpreted strictly in this respect the Interior Ministry which is responsible for policing Thai nationality is on record as saying that Thais who naturalise as aliens should renounce their Thai nationality because the law doesn't recognise dual nationality. The Democrats could have pursued this line and had his Thai citizenship formally revoked when they were in power. There was ample evidence that Thaksin had naturalised as an alien after Nicaragua announced it had appointed him an ambassador and Thaksin himself announced to the media in Montenegro he had become a Montenegrin. Even without that, the fact that he continued to travel the world freely after his Thai passports had been revoked would have been sufficient evidence. Even though the law has not been interpreted in this way in recent decades, it is obvious that it could be and the Thai justice system habitually gives special treatment to certain individuals which could go either way. They probably didn't try it because they didn't control the Interior Ministry which was then in the hands of Newin and because their leader and deputy leader are both British-Thais.

I am not suggesting that this should have been done and think it would have had negative ramifications for all other Thai dual citizens, if it had. However, I am surprised that no one tried it or even suggested it at the time. This new passport issue might bring it up though.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Arkady

[GentlemanJim]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Does that mean that anyone with a conviction that is on the run, that doesn't have an Interpol arrest warrant, isn't really on the run?

No, it just means that Interpol are not after him.

I am sure that the democratic "grown ups" at Interpol gave due consideration to the points you raise, but then quite correctly concluded that the charges and "conviction" against taksin S were politically motivated by the ruling military govenment at the time.

How ridiculous! Since when has the role of either interpol or the police in general been to act as judge and jury. If any court issues an international arrest warrant for an individual to Interpol, their job is to arrest that person at the earliest opportunity. Your suggestion that the police sit around and say, 'nah, lets not bother, I don't think he's guilty', is plain ludicrous and at best scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to finding any and all ways of defending your idol. Your constant 'long term' defence of this thief displays admirable loyalty but also illustrates an inability to differentiate between right and wrong when it comes to grand theft.

[Basil B]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Presume Interpol is waiting for Thailand to issue an International Arrest Warrant do not think Interpol can issue an warrant on their own initiative, imaginee if Interpol nabbed TS Tomorrow and then Thailand said they do not want him back, they would look a bit stupid,wouldn't they?

[yoshiwara]

Well Interpol are obviously confused as they havn't issued any warrants for his arrest.

Why would you say that was?

Does that mean that anyone with a conviction that is on the run, that doesn't have an Interpol arrest warrant, isn't really on the run?

No, it just means that Interpol are not after him.

I am sure that the democratic "grown ups" at Interpol gave due consideration to the points you raise, but then quite correctly concluded that the charges and "conviction" against taksin S were politically motivated by the ruling military govenment at the time.

'Er no. Interpol do nothing of the kind, though Thaksin's apologists would wish it so. The problem for Thaksin and his followers (and this point needs to be properly understood) is that his convictions are not for political offences. If they were then the process of true reconciliation might be more easily pushed. Unfortunately his convictions are that of a common criminal ie money laundering (the evidence for which was never challenged) and as such cannot be squeezed into the political tube of toothpaste and try as they might Thaksin's forces have utterly failed to get round this corner. Thakin could be picked up tomorrow if that Thai government wished it. The idea that Interpol would refuse is laughable. His lawyer has tried very hard to get Thaksin on the human rights merry-go-round but has failed miserably. Thaksin's forum cheerleaders are reduced to spinning old and discarded strategies. Have another go.

[whybother]

I am sure that the democratic "grown ups" at Interpol gave due consideration to the points you raise, but then quite correctly concluded that the charges and "conviction" against taksin S were politically motivated by the ruling military govenment at the time.

His conviction came under his brother-in-law's government at the time.