Thai govt revokes Thaksin's passports, citing 'damaging' interview

[oldsailor35]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Yes. the basic law of democracy is "Freedom of speech" This is not possible under the general.

[oldsailor35]

I thought he had his passport taken off him years ago and travelled around on a Serbian passport or something like that?

They were all revoked in 2009... But his sister gave them back when she became PM...

Political "musical chairs" lolololo...............only in Thailand, what immature idiots.

[rametindallas]

Another knee jerk reaction from insecure people out of their depth.

What's the point of LM charges, he's overseas and unlikely to be within jurisdiction anytime ?

I'm not sure Interpol would accept LM as grounds for a Red Notice and many countries would ignore anyway as they don't have anything similar on their statute books.

Why do anti-Junta posters keep inserting INTERPOL into this thread. No where in the OP is there any mention of INTERPOL or even of arresting Thaksin. It's starting to look like a Straw Man argument. INTERPOL has NO ability to arrest anyone. They coordinate between countries to locate wanted criminals but extradition is strictly between countries.

To keep Interpol as politically neutral as possible, its charter forbids it, at least in theory, from undertaking interventions or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial nature or involving itself in disputes over such matters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol

As far as I know, no Thai government has requested Dr. Thaksin's name be put on any INTERPOL list. It seems to me that the Abhisit government, the Sondi government, the Surayud government, nor the Prayut government has any desire to deal with Thaksin within Thailand's borders. This latest action of bringing LM charges will 'seal the deal' on his never returning as there is no 'statute of limitations' nor is amnesty possible even if one of his nominee puppet governments gains enough power.

Can we stop with the INTERPOL Straw Man you guys keep propping up and knocking down. None but anti-Junta posters are mentioning INTERPOL.

.

People post about LoS issuing international warrants etc. so it's natural to mention Interpol as the possible conduit

Why are your knickers in a twist ?

I don't wear knickers but you are, at least, the sixth poster to bring up INTERPOL and then tell us how it won't work. It is irrelevant for the reasons stated.

.

[lovetotravel]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Yes. the basic law of democracy is "Freedom of speech" This is not possible under the general.

Thailand hasn't had freedom of speech for a long time. Under any government.

[quandow]

No matter what fallout from this interview, regardless of your perspective of Thaksin, we can all agree that he will NEVER see Thai soil again.

[halloween]

No matter what fallout from this interview, regardless of your perspective of Thaksin, we can all agree that he will NEVER see Thai soil again.

I've heard there is a layer of it in the coffin where he sleeps through the day.

[cumgranosalum]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Yes. the basic law of democracy is "Freedom of speech" This is not possible under the general.

Thailand hasn't had freedom of speech for a long time. Under any government.

...and you see that comment as a justification of the current regime's policies????

[mikemac]

There are 2 clearly discernible groups on ThaiVisa....The vehemently ant-Thaksin camp who seem to regard politics in the same way as one might support a football team.........and the other camp, those who understand, or at least try to understand Thai politics and history.

One has to say that the lack of thought by the anti-Thaksin camp is blatantly apparent when one becomes aware of their main tenet; that anyone who disagrees with their mouth-frothingly simplistic points of view must be pro-Thaksin....a premise that unfortunately compels them to fall flat on their face at the first fence of any meaningful discussion

Yeah right.

I have never made that assertion. The same as claiming all those anti-Thaksin are right wing extremist junta fans, as if that somehow legitimizes their defense of the Shins.

Good job we have totally objective, highly educated political scientists who've studied Thai politics and can rationalize and contextualize the complexities like your self of course.

Some posters on here just love saying " I'm not a Thaksin supporter but.............." They usually give themselves away by claiming only they really understand things, attacking Shin opponents at any chance, and of course trying to dismiss anyone who is remotely anti-Thakisn or won't ignore the inconvenient truths.

Your taxonomy is wrong. You missed Shin supporters group, they do come and go, and those who like yourself try and pretend some superior knowledge.

well - QED! if the cap fits...and all that. you realise that everything you just said is a false dichotomy which is exactly what I was talking about in my earlier post?

You are never going to win an argument with Baerboxer by posting jibberish mixed with bs.

And that's all your comments are.

[MobileContent]

All they need to do is put him on an international warrant and put him on the Interpol list. He wouldn't be able to fly anymore but I doubt they will do it.

[captspectre]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

there IS a difference between "insulting an institution and telling the truth about an "institution" and taksin is not a stupid old man. you need to remeber that he was duly elected in a FREE election. it may not have been what the elites wanted but it was a free election. much like the parasite that the "stupid" if you use your terms) americans elected !

[captspectre]

No matter what fallout from this interview, regardless of your perspective of Thaksin, we can all agree that he will NEVER see Thai soil again.

speak for yourself, never say "never" remember this is Thailand!

[English 1]

Is it correct Thaksin stills has a very senior Police Rank?

If so it's totally absurd.

[oneday]

OMG, let's be done with this.

Just put Thaksin on trail "in absentia" and convict him for something that merits the death penalty. This way there isn't anything worse you can do and we won't have to hear about some new crime Thailand wants convict Thaksin's of everyday.

[JAG]

by law it should have been done before 8 years,

but his lovely sister and GVt didn't do his duty,

Now finally it's done,

and he have another crime on him which my get him another 10 years Bangkok Hilton !

Well done !! PM

Lese Majeste charges may be pressed by the current regime, however I rather suspect Thaksin does not envisage the current regime being in power, or at least being in a position to ever press charges should (when) he return.

The current regime is very clearly playing for keeps, so Thaksin is as well. The winner will be the one who commands the support of the people, either at the polls or on the streets. Which will it be? Thaksin seems pretty confident.

The winner will be the one who commands the support of the people, either at the polls or on the streets. Which will it be? Thaksin seems pretty confident.

You are correct that Thaksin is ready to plunge Thailand into civil war to regain his power. He doesn't care about Thai people. He has stolen from them and created havoc pitting Northern/Northeastern Thais against Bangkok/Southern Thais all in the pursuit of his own PERSONAL goals. He is a user/abuser but since he is a narcissist, he cannot see the damage to others he causes. Robert Mugabe is to be proud of him.

If anyone is prepared to risk civil war it is those who repeatedly thwart the electoral decisions of the people either by military coups or using their tame judicial system.

As for pitting the North and Northeast against Bangkok, well the Bangkok establishment seems to manage well enough without Thaksin's help!

[maidee]

on the run since 2008

so only 7 years to react ...

thai politics...

[harryfrompattaya]

I can not believe we Farangs have so much knowledge about Thaksin but do not know that both Obama and Prince Charles are Muslims

and believe me Prince Charles and Obama effects them more

Thaksin is Thailand problem not yours and remember he still can speak Thai better than you likes white rice and has Thai ID

[rametindallas]

All they need to do is put him on an international warrant and put him on the Interpol list. He wouldn't be able to fly anymore but I doubt they will do it.

Thaksin's crimes don't rate being put on INTERPOL's watch list. Anyway, INTERPOL has no arrest powers, only locations services in partnership with member nations. It is totally dependent if there is a extradition treaty with the country where Thailand is. Currently, the following 14 countries have extradition treaties with Thailand: the US, the UK, Canada, China, Belgium, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Fiji, and Australia.

It should be clear to everyone that every anti-Thaksin government doesn't want him in Thailand. Better he has the rest of the world to roam in

For more details on Thai extradition treaties and use of INTERPOL see the link below:

The Interpol Red Notice, issued by Interpol’s General Secretariat in Lyon, France, is viewed by many Interpol member countries as the basis – though is not mandatory – for the provisional arrest of a wanted person with a view to their extradition. In 2009 Interpol issued 5,020 Red Notices, with the overriding factor being that the application met all of the agencies conditions.

One reason Interpol will not issue a Red Notice when requested to is if it breaches Article 3 of the Interpol Constitution, which “forbids the Organization from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character”.

http://www.thailawforum.com/prominent-extradition-cases-in-thailand-snaring-minor-offenders-to-big-time-crooks/

[Thrilla]

As much as I dislike the man you have to admire the way he plays everything like a game of chess and seems to come off top every time.

He knows 112, LM and the institutions which hold up the patronage system are into their final months. As he was doing 15 years ago, he`s planning for events years ahead not now. Always ahead of the game.

A US diplomat some years ago described him as "buying futures in xxxxxx" It seems he`s now buying futures in a Thailand after the inevitable happens.

An interesting move.

"Interesting move" ?

..He's a fugitive from justice not likely to return and face the awaiting corruption charges in the foreseeable future and just stirred up more elitist bile.

I would consider him a lousy chess player continually making boneheaded moves that have ensured he has come out on the bottom every time - as already proven !

[mathias67]

That was about bloody time!!

Cancel his Passports, I am sure that will stop him travelliing around the world NOT. One of the countries he is living in or visits will make ann exception and give him a passport

[Just1Voice]

Reading all these comments makes me wonder how many of you actually saw the interview he gave? I did, and there was nothing, nada, zilch mentioned about the revered Family. He did, however, make comments in regards to the Privy Council. Let's face it, the guy is a crook, thief and liar, not to mention an ego maniac, but his current "counterpart" and current PM, isn't a hell of a lot better in my opinion. The big difference is that the latter can slap an LM charge against Thaksin, even if it's false, and there's not a damn thing Thaksin can do about it.

The big difference is that the latter can slap an LM charge against Thaksin, even if it's false, and there's not a damn thing Thaksin can do about it.

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

False charges against anyone, for any reason, IS a bad thing. That's not justice. It is, however, abuse of power, and a flat out lie.

But you act as if that's perfectly fine, as long as it's against Thaksin.

[callaway]

Well guess Thaksin S won't be to concerned about losing his Thai passport. I suspect his PR team will now have a field day publicizing to the world the reasoning cited by the General for this action. Illustrates even further to the free world what this current General thinks about free speech, irrespective of what various people think about Thaksin.

if he would travell back to thailand, he would need a passport,

but now he would have to use his Montenogro or Columbia passport -

for this passports he will need a Visa !!

Which Ambassy will give him a Visa ??

or can the aircontroll allow his plain to land if he have not the correct passport - visa ??

As a Thai citizen, he doesn't need any passport to enter Thailand.

Are you serious or on drugs? You fly back to your country and not show your passport and expect entry? Your passport is proof of citizenship. Everybody has the right to be stupid but some abuse the privelidge.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Representatives from the government, private and third sectors, foreign agencies, diplomats and the media will be invited to Government House to listen to him reaffirm his regime's mission. His speech will be televised live at provincial halls across the country.

Will ThaiVisa be broadcasting it to ?

[Lupatria]

Well, I’m not a fan of Mr. T. However, I think there is something wrong with a country if an interview can threaten the security, reputation, and integrity of a nation.

[sungod]

Revoked passports are passport book No U957441, and Z530117.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/111587

-- Thai PBS 2015-05-27

Thanks for that information, ThaiPBS. I'll make note of those numbers, in case Thaksin comes to me personally asking permission to enter Thailand.

I think that information is of more use to the currency exchanges in the Nana area, cuts down the chances of the Nigerian's cashing dodgy travel checks using Thaksin's name.

[JAG]

The crazies continue to rant and froth about how Thaksin got his passports.I have no idea and care even less.I would be quite surprised if he could not find some way to continue his travels - but the subject is of not much interest to me.

The thread however is about something his different, namely his speech in Korea which obviously hit a nerve and profoundly upset the Junta - prompting them to take action which could have been taken at least a year ago if it was just a question of nobbling Thaksin

So what exactly was it that upset their delicate senstivities? It seems it was the suggestion that the coup was long planned by the army (Lawks a mercy, fetch the smelling salts) in liaison with old established elites and Suthep.Since in general terms this is of course the most credible general explanation It's easy enough to understand the coupsters' rage.The trouble is that the evidence is rather overwheming not least including Suthep's own admission he co-ordinated matters with Prayuth for many months.The lese majeste charge is more puzzling because a sane person's reading of Thaksin's speech would find no possible reference.However we are not here dealing with entirely sane people and as the BBC"s Jonathan Head recently pointed out the reactionary right in Thailand is akin to a cult.One can only conclude the LM charge is in connection to Thaksin's reference to individual Privy Councillors playing politics (which we know from Wikileaks and other sources they have).If this is the case it is yet further evidence that the LM law needs to be restricted to its true purpose and not exploited by soldiers and politicians.

Well, well. The one who always starts with an insult is back. Lunatics in an asylum often claim everyone else is crazy but them too. Makes them think they're not insane.

You don't want to know or care that his sister and cousin abused their powers and illegally issued passports to him when in office? So you don't mind the Shins lying, cheating and breaking laws when in power? Ignoring the inconvenient truth - a trait of the Shins, their lackeys and those who want to pretend they are really democracy loving champions of the poor.

How come Mr. Head never ever points out that Thaksin is wanted on 15 more serious charges; or that these passports were illegally issued; or that Yingluck and her cousin refused to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman. Thaksin is a convicted criminal and proven liar. Why is he always shown is such a good light by journalists like Mr. Head or AFP. Could it be that billionaire elitist Thaksin and his PR lobbying machine have managed to convince the impressionable, by whatever means, that he and the Shin clan are working class socialist heroes rather than a gang of immoral exploiters?

Why Thailand didn't cancel these passports earlier and why they don't seek extradition on all those outstanding charges and conviction is something they'll regret. The criminal will always push and push, looking for the knee jerk reaction which he hopes his PR boys will exploit.

"How come Mr. Head never ever points out that Thaksin is wanted on 15 more serious charges; or that these passports were illegally issued; or that Yingluck and her cousin refused to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman. Thaksin is a convicted criminal and proven liar. Why is he always shown is such a good light by journalists like Mr. Head or AFP. Could it be that billionaire elitist Thaksin and his PR lobbying machine have managed to convince the impressionable, by whatever means, that he and the Shin clan are working class socialist heroes rather than a gang of immoral exploiters?".

Baerboxer, so, the BBC and AFP are biased towards Thaksin, and Thaksin's PR lobbying machine has managed to convince people that he's a socialist heroe ?? We can claim that Fox News caters for a certain type of American people, and we can claim that newspapers like the Sun, Daily Telegraph, the Times, the Guardian (newspapers from Britain) are biased towards whatever target audience that they have. We can claim that the Nation Newspaper caters for anti-Thaksintes who read English. Fine.

But, the BBC ?? What is the BBC's target audience ? The BBC is paid for by the British public, and this means that it is not tailored towards right-wing or left-wing groups. Does Thaksin pay the BBC, in order to get a positive image ? Surely, not. Has the BBC been fooled by Thaksin's PR machine ? Is that why the BBC (according to certain people on ThaiVisa) is biased towards him ?

Man, if the Nation Newspaper ever gets closed down because of stuff that it prints, well, fair enough, I would not be that worried. It's not that good a newspaper, anyway. BUT, but if the BBC was to ever be removed from Thailand, well, I would be worried for Thailand. Very worried. We all will be, including everybody on ThaiVisa. That's because we all know that the BBC tries to give a fair and balanced report on things. It is accurate and reasonable. And no, I don't think that the British government tries to secretly control the content on the BBC.

Do you even watch the BBC news these days ?. It is absolutely terrible : they have someone setting an agenda then they all push towards it. They never actually lie, they omit key facts to leave the viewer with a distorted impression. You have to go online and find out for yourself then it becomes clear.

And as for Mr Head : I am amazed at the bias in his reports. Lies by omission just the same. A bit of research on the web shows he is obviously a Thaksin crony - the BBC should have pulled him out after the Les Majeste affair in 2008. I wonder why he is still here : it's certainly not to expose the truth or any other sound journalistic principles. He would be more suited to reporting for The Sun where truth is always optional.

The BBC is England's version of the American Fox. If I recall correctly they backed the red shirts in 2010. My big question is what took them so long to pull his passports? Even jayboy knows they were illegal.

The BBC is far from Englands equivalent of Fox. It is an independent non commercial broadcasting corporation established by a royal charter. Many claim that in its domestic reporting lt leans left of centre, and there are concerns that in the recent UK election it was rather too supportive of the Labour Party. It may be argued that this bias carries over into its international reporting, it certainly seems to have a long standing love affair with Castro's Cuba, but it certainly does not take sides in Thailand's politics.

Mr Head, along with APF, are often reviled here because they do not say what many posters wish to hear. That is seen by some as proof positive that they are owned by....guess who? Thaksin.!

[northernjohn]

The crazies continue to rant and froth about how Thaksin got his passports.I have no idea and care even less.I would be quite surprised if he could not find some way to continue his travels - but the subject is of not much interest to me.

The thread however is about something his different, namely his speech in Korea which obviously hit a nerve and profoundly upset the Junta - prompting them to take action which could have been taken at least a year ago if it was just a question of nobbling Thaksin

So what exactly was it that upset their delicate senstivities? It seems it was the suggestion that the coup was long planned by the army (Lawks a mercy, fetch the smelling salts) in liaison with old established elites and Suthep.Since in general terms this is of course the most credible general explanation It's easy enough to understand the coupsters' rage.The trouble is that the evidence is rather overwheming not least including Suthep's own admission he co-ordinated matters with Prayuth for many months.The lese majeste charge is more puzzling because a sane person's reading of Thaksin's speech would find no possible reference.However we are not here dealing with entirely sane people and as the BBC"s Jonathan Head recently pointed out the reactionary right in Thailand is akin to a cult.One can only conclude the LM charge is in connection to Thaksin's reference to individual Privy Councillors playing politics (which we know from Wikileaks and other sources they have).If this is the case it is yet further evidence that the LM law needs to be restricted to its true purpose and not exploited by soldiers and politicians.

Well, well. The one who always starts with an insult is back. Lunatics in an asylum often claim everyone else is crazy but them too. Makes them think they're not insane.

You don't want to know or care that his sister and cousin abused their powers and illegally issued passports to him when in office? So you don't mind the Shins lying, cheating and breaking laws when in power? Ignoring the inconvenient truth - a trait of the Shins, their lackeys and those who want to pretend they are really democracy loving champions of the poor.

How come Mr. Head never ever points out that Thaksin is wanted on 15 more serious charges; or that these passports were illegally issued; or that Yingluck and her cousin refused to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman. Thaksin is a convicted criminal and proven liar. Why is he always shown is such a good light by journalists like Mr. Head or AFP. Could it be that billionaire elitist Thaksin and his PR lobbying machine have managed to convince the impressionable, by whatever means, that he and the Shin clan are working class socialist heroes rather than a gang of immoral exploiters?

Why Thailand didn't cancel these passports earlier and why they don't seek extradition on all those outstanding charges and conviction is something they'll regret. The criminal will always push and push, looking for the knee jerk reaction which he hopes his PR boys will exploit.

"How come Mr. Head never ever points out that Thaksin is wanted on 15 more serious charges; or that these passports were illegally issued; or that Yingluck and her cousin refused to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman. Thaksin is a convicted criminal and proven liar. Why is he always shown is such a good light by journalists like Mr. Head or AFP. Could it be that billionaire elitist Thaksin and his PR lobbying machine have managed to convince the impressionable, by whatever means, that he and the Shin clan are working class socialist heroes rather than a gang of immoral exploiters?".

Baerboxer, so, the BBC and AFP are biased towards Thaksin, and Thaksin's PR lobbying machine has managed to convince people that he's a socialist heroe ?? We can claim that Fox News caters for a certain type of American people, and we can claim that newspapers like the Sun, Daily Telegraph, the Times, the Guardian (newspapers from Britain) are biased towards whatever target audience that they have. We can claim that the Nation Newspaper caters for anti-Thaksintes who read English. Fine.

But, the BBC ?? What is the BBC's target audience ? The BBC is paid for by the British public, and this means that it is not tailored towards right-wing or left-wing groups. Does Thaksin pay the BBC, in order to get a positive image ? Surely, not. Has the BBC been fooled by Thaksin's PR machine ? Is that why the BBC (according to certain people on ThaiVisa) is biased towards him ?

Man, if the Nation Newspaper ever gets closed down because of stuff that it prints, well, fair enough, I would not be that worried. It's not that good a newspaper, anyway. BUT, but if the BBC was to ever be removed from Thailand, well, I would be worried for Thailand. Very worried. We all will be, including everybody on ThaiVisa. That's because we all know that the BBC tries to give a fair and balanced report on things. It is accurate and reasonable. And no, I don't think that the British government tries to secretly control the content on the BBC.

You think the BBC neutral? Go back over say 10-20 years and see how many times they've been involved in accusations of political bias. Always in one direction funnily enough.

It's often not what they say, but what they choose to leave out or repeatedly misquote. Take Head and AFP. How many times do you read the lie "Thaksin was overthrown by a coup in 2006". Miss out the bit he was a self appointed illegal caretaker PM at the time. Same as they don't mention his party were in power when he was convicted of breaking the law, which he's never denied by the way. Then we have Head's interviews with Yingluck where he's all doe eyed and asks nothing controversial - ignoring the illegally issued passports, her constant lies, her non appearance in parliament, etc etc. Hardly an investigative journalist. His visit to a "red village" where saint Thaksin changed the lives of all was portrayed as a fairy story - which it was of course. But he took part and never challenged anything.

Is it their detest for the old guard elites, there susceptibility to lobbyists, there strong wish for some real hero who will represent the poor people, or other reasons - I really don't know. But I do know what I read and how skewed Head and AFP are in their reporting.

I doubt Head ever left the bar scene for his news sources.

[Yunla]

I agree with earlier posters that this isn't about his transit abilities, and is entirely about telling the world that he does not represent this nation in any way.

The fact that he was previously carrying Thai passports, gave him a tiny veneer of legitimacy when speaking on Thai affairs in the worldwide community. At least it satisfied the world's casual fleeting glances, even though nobody who read a bit deeper into this fellow's activities would see his passports as meaning anything much.

I think it is a good, and long overdue, step towards cleaning up some of the tarnish caused to this nation's image.

[Halion]

The main issue here is that chummy should never have had his passports returned as he was a fugitive from justice and the chump that renewed them should be brought up on charges of ass licking ignorance. Bloody clatter of sycophants.

The Shins are a true cancer and have self belief that they are Omnipotent and corrupt everything the touch.

[scorecard]

It wont make a jack crap difference, because he also holds citizenship of other countries, the only way they will ever get him back is if they issue an international arrest warrant and deportation, but that would never happen, but it should have be done a long time ago, just another waste of news paper, and lets face it, the les majestic card is no different than a racist card, and can only be used when all else fails, and lets be honest most countries abroad don't give a shit about a LM charge and will not issue a red card, what a croc of shit

Your comment "It wont make a jack crap difference, because he also holds citizenship of other countries" has no value whatever in this matter.

The point is about Thai passports. Thai law states clearly that people who have been found guilty and sentenced to jail cannot hold a Thai passport.

Is that too difficult to understand?

You say " ...holds citizenship of other countries... ".

But of course you don't state the countries. In reality the 'other countries' all have no prestige of influence or credible standing in any way whatever and are very corrupt, and certainly not democracies.

So I somehow doubt that the paymaster would feel proud to present a nigeraguan passport on arrival.

[halloween]

Thaksin being in possession of a Thai passport was a result of a criminal act. No excuses were needed for their cancellation, and I'm unsure why the excuses given were used. They certainly weren't needed, and the cancellation should have happened long ago. I guess they had more immediate concerns than some ageing criminal.