Thaksin's Diplomatic Passport In Doubt

[george]

Thaksin's red passport in doubt

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has been recommended to revoke the diplomatic passport of Thaksin Shinawatra as Bangkok become increasingly nervous about the activities of former premier who have been popping up in various cities around the world.

According to a government source, the latest move to rid the so-called "red passport" of Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Pojamarn, came amid reports that Thaksin and his wife have surfaced in a Hong Kong shopping mall where they were hounded by journalists and photographers.

The source said Surayud is concern about Thaksin's possible hidden agenda abroad.

Nevertheless, the issue will be forwarded to Foreign Minister Nitya Phibulsonggram for consideration.

However, Nitya has in the past down played the suggestion that Thaksin's red passport be revoked on the ground that Thaksin's possession of the passport was in line with the normal practice.

He pointed out that all the former prime ministers were permitted to use the passport even if they had been ousted by a coup.

-- The Nation 2006-11-14

[ColPyat]

The source said Surayud is concern about Thaksin's possible hidden agenda abroad.

Surayud should start loosing his Thaksin paranoia and be concerned about real issues, such as increasing discontent under the farmers over issues such as lowered rice prices, lack of assistence for flood victims and insufficient compensation for flooded farmland.

It's been already two months now of Thaksin here and there, rethorics on the south and very little real results.

[ratcatcher]

The source said Surayud is concern about Thaksin's possible hidden agenda abroad.

Surayud should start loosing his Thaksin paranoia and be concerned about real issues, such as increasing discontent under the farmers over issues such as lowered rice prices, lack of assistence for flood victims and insufficient compensation for flooded farmland.

It's been already two months now of Thaksin here and there, rethorics on the south and very little real results.

I agree, the new government should be more concerned about the really important issues like fighting the corruption, handling the ever strengthening baht which will make Thai exports (particularly agricultural) more expensive and less competitive and making progress on the transport infrastructure in bangkok and other areas.

They need to try to win the hearts and minds of the farmers in the N.E. and the Thaksin power base in the north. A good start has been made in the south although, sadly, the violence still continues.

They won't convert everybody but they must start somewhere.

Worrying about where Tacky and Podgy are spending their next shopping trip is a waste of time. If the gov't wants to know they can have him followed, as I am sure he already is anyway.

[Siripon]

The source said Surayud is concern about Thaksin's possible hidden agenda abroad.

Surayud should start loosing his Thaksin paranoia and be concerned about real issues, such as increasing discontent under the farmers over issues such as lowered rice prices, lack of assistence for flood victims and insufficient compensation for flooded farmland.

It's been already two months now of Thaksin here and there, rethorics on the south and very little real results.

Yet another empty attack on the regime from the colonel, full of spelling mistakes.

Of course Thaksin is playing games, trying to influence the political scene; every day more and more of his policy corruption is exposed, encompassing his wife, brother-in-law, sisters and entourage.

The more the dirty laundry is exposed, the greater the embarrassment and the harder any comeback is feasible. He has to keep in the international media, looking unfairly robbed of power.

Don't believe any nonsense about him being 'surprised' by the media, it's plainly an attempt to keep in the limelight..

As more is revealed over the next 2 months he undoubtedly will remain in the public eye, but not as he intended.

Khun Surayud has shown far more concern over Thai citizens' plights in one month than Thaksin showed in years, visiting evey region in the last month.

Do you remember the floods in the north in Thaksin's last stint of power when he did nothing and assistance from a higher power was their saviour?

The king of rhetoric was Thaksin, 'no poverty in 5 years', 'no traffic jams in Bangkok in 6 months'!

[cclub75]

Gentlemen... the real question should be : how come the gvt has allowed Thaksin to keep his diplomatic passeport ! ? !

To say "all the former prime ministers were permitted to use the passport even if they had been ousted by a coup" is an amazing statement.

Once again, it's sabai and/or sureal. The info must first come in the medias, and then some officials will say that action should be taken.

I mean : you organize a coup, then the bad guy plays with your nerves by travelling around your country... What do you do ? What is the first thing you do ? You let him with the privilege of a diplomatic passeport ? Because it's "tradition" ? And then 2 month after, you start to ask question ?

No really, day after day, i'm wondering if they have any clue of what they are doing...

Edited November 14, 2006 by cclub75

[ColPyat]

The source said Surayud is concern about Thaksin's possible hidden agenda abroad.

Surayud should start loosing his Thaksin paranoia and be concerned about real issues, such as increasing discontent under the farmers over issues such as lowered rice prices, lack of assistence for flood victims and insufficient compensation for flooded farmland.

It's been already two months now of Thaksin here and there, rethorics on the south and very little real results.

Yet another empty attack on the regime from the colonel, full of spelling mistakes.

Of course Thaksin is playing games, trying to influence the political scene; every day more and more of his policy corruption is exposed, encompassing his wife, brother-in-law, sisters and entourage.

The more the dirty laundry is exposed, the greater the embarrassment and the harder any comeback is feasible. He has to keep in the international media, looking unfairly robbed of power.

Don't believe any nonsense about him being 'surprised' by the media, it's plainly an attempt to keep in the limelight..

As more is revealed over the next 2 months he undoubtedly will remain in the public eye, but not as he intended.

Khun Surayud has shown far more concern over Thai citizens' plights in one month than Thaksin showed in years, visiting evey region in the last month.

Do you remember the floods in the north in Thaksin's last stint of power when he did nothing and assistance from a higher power was their saviour?

The king of rhetoric was Thaksin, 'no poverty in 5 years', 'no traffic jams in Bangkok in 6 months'!

-What has Surayud done other than talking a lot?

-He made Thaksin's 30 baht sceme free, without suggesting any improvements that were not already planned.

-He introduced stiffer visa regulations that made life for many westerners and their Thai families in Thailand very difficult, another Thaksin policy.

-He passed a law that under 20 year olds are not allowed to buy alcohol, another Thaksin policy.

-He passed yet another Thaksin plan to ban advertising for alcohol, resulting already in the closure of several magazines and endangered one of the most prestigeous golf turnaments.

-He made a lot of speaches regarding the south, reintroduced the by Thaksin disbanded SBPAC, though the killings haven't stopped one bit.

-His government lowered the rice price, which definately made lots of friends under the farmers who by a clear majority support Thaksin.

-He told the foreign media in a dinner at the FCCT how bad the press censorship under Thaksin was, while Army is still in TV stations, and a few days before that dinner the ITV team that did the interview with the suicide Taxi driver was reprimanded by his government.

-He talks about "sufficiency economy" and scares every investor away because neither him, nor anybody else has yet come up with a clear explanation what that term actually means.

-In his government's vendetta against Thaksin they have achieved to scare every foreign company in Thailand because of the still not solved nominee question.

-And the fun about lifting the martial law soon/not soon/at the appropriate time/after he confers with Gen. Sonthi...

Yes great, we gonna hear for another two months how corrupt Thaksin was, and at the same time excuses why he most likely he won't be able to be charged with anything. All that surly makes for great national reconciliation.

Sorry, but a country cannot be governed by demonising Thaksin alone, and at the same time scaring investors away, having as only policy a theory of "sufficiency economy", full of Buddhist mumbo-jumbo lacking any directive of practical definitions. Two months and the clock is ticking.

Keep your myopic view, concentrate on my spelling mistakes, and watch your country go down the drain.

Edited November 14, 2006 by ColPyat

[ColPyat]

No really, day after day, i'm wondering if they have any clue of what they are doing...

Welcome to the ever growing club...

[george]

Update:

Moves afoot to relieve ex-PM of his passport

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has recommended the revocation of Thaksin Shinawatra's diplomatic passport as Bangkok was becoming increasingly nervous about the activities of the former premier and his wife Pojaman, a source said yesterday.

The source said the latest move to rid Thaksin of his diplomatic status came after he and Pojaman, who have been popping up in various cities around the world, surfaced in a Hong Kong shopping mall where they were hounded by journalists and photographers.

The source said the government is concerned about a possible hidden agenda behind Thaksin's movements abroad.

Surayud was also said to be an-noyed by the reception that Thai-land's consulate in Hong Kong had given to Thaksin, the source said.

Nevertheless, the issue will be forwarded to Foreign Minister Nitya Phibulsonggram for consideration.

However, Nitya has in the past downplayed the suggestion that Thaksin's red passport be revoked on the ground that Thaksin's possession of the passport was in line with normal practice.

He pointed out that all former prime ministers were permitted to use the passport even if they had been ousted in a coup.

Thaksin told a group of reporters as he shopped at an upscale mall in Hong Kong that he had no plans to return home and that he would travel to Bali next.

"I have no plans to go back to Bangkok," he said.

Looking relaxed in a dark suit and a white shirt, Thaksin said he enjoyed spending his time shopping and eating in Hong Kong.

"Good shopping, good food," he said. He spent a few minutes inside a luxury watch shop, but did not buy anything.

Thaksin said he would leave for Bali today, but didn't say what he planned to do there.

It was the second day Thaksin had been spotted shopping at the mall. The front page of yesterday's Oriental Daily News was peppered with photos of Thaksin holding hands with his wife as they strolled through a shopping centre on Monday. One picture showed him trying on a dark blazer in a Marc Jacobs store.

The paper, which quoted Thaksin as saying he arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday, said he joked with its reporter and photographer, saying, "I need a job because I'm unemployed now".

Chaturon Chaisaeng, the acting leader of Thaksin's former ruling Thai Rak Thai party, said in Bangkok that "[Thaksin] is in Hong Kong, but I do not know about his itinerary".

But according to a Thai Rak Thai source, Thaksin will spend only a few days in Bali and afterwards leave for Singapore, where he will be meeting with senior members of the party, as well as celebrating Pojaman's birthday next Wednesday.

The Thai consul general in Hong Kong declined to discuss the visit.

"I have no capacity to give any comments about the former prime minister's private trip to Hong Kong," said Waramon Waruttma.

Thaksin said he would wait until Thailand was more stable before he returned home, the Chinese-language Oriental Daily reported.

The former leader had been living in London, where he owns an apartment, since being deposed by a military coup in September.

Thaksin asked how the paper found out he was in Hong Kong. He had eluded most other local media, notorious for being aggressive and extremely efficient at tracking celebrities.

Yesterday, he disappeared into an office building occupied mostly by lawyers and accountants for about two hours. He declined to say what he did inside when he emerged.

"I have my lawyers in Thailand, not here," he said.

Surayud had said Thaksin should not return to Thailand until after general elections scheduled for a year from now, saying his reappearance could spark clashes.

The coup leaders have accused Thaksin of massive corruption and abuse of power. They have set up several anti-graft bodies to investigate the former government's alleged wrongdoing.

-- The Nation, AP 2006-11-15

[ColPyat]

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has recommended the revocation of Thaksin Shinawatra's diplomatic passport as Bangkok was becoming increasingly nervous about the activities of the former premier and his wife Pojaman, a source said yesterday.

The source said the government is concerned about a possible hidden agenda behind Thaksin's movements abroad.

Surayud was also said to be an-noyed by the reception that Thai-land's consulate in Hong Kong had given to Thaksin, the source said.

Oh my...

Thaksin is flying around the world, is photographed while shopping, gets an embassy reception, makes only public statements that he is presently not coming back and the government is breaking out in cold sweat.

Either they tell us about any facts they have about a hidden agenda, or they should stop spreading paranoia. This might turn into the opposite they want to achieve, if they keep up holding the population on an artificial edge.

[mongoose]

Why didn't they cancel his diplomatic passport and freeze the family's assets on day 1, if their claims of corruption were real ? Many privileges with a diplomatic passport which could be used to undesirable ends.

[Scott]

I don't know what they expect the man to do. He has plenty of money and sees himself as an international jet-setter--of course, he will be globe-trotting. If they don't want him doing that, then they should ask him to come back where they can more easily monitor his movements and activities.

Basically, it looks like Thaksin is just being Thaksin.

[Heng]

Maybe they should cancel Paradorn and his dad's diplomatic passports too because he isn't in the top 20 anymore? They probably don't want to open the "red passport" issue because there are likely tens of thousands of folks with red passports who aren't diplomats or even related to diplomats.

[Plus]

They have to monitor all his movements so he can't quietly slip into the country so they want him to stay put in one place. They don't want to trail him all over Asia (though the guys on his tail would probably enjoy a trip to Bali).

It's not the first coup, there are rules. They don't revoke PMs passports, and PMs don't give generals a headache popping up unexpectedly all over the place. Generals played their part as gentlemen and they expect Thaksin to behave like a gentleman, too.

This morning healines are about how much money that rice pledging scheme lost. Violence in the South won't stop in one day because of one speech. Surayud is trying to win the grassroot's support, not the militants'. They won't stop killing for a long time even after their communities stop supporting.

This is not a thread on government's performance though.

[John K]

I think there is a valid Concern about Thaksin. On the simplest level Thaksin is no longer a diplomat and the Thai Government should notify all the other governments that Thaksin’s diplomatic passport is no longer valid and has not been surrendered. The mention of paranoia about Thaksin is well justified. It is not at all in Thaksin’s nature to come in anything short of first. I would not put it past Thaksin to be working on a way to come back in power and go after everyone who supported his demise.

At the moment Thaksin is like cancer, neither are in your face but both have the potential of causing great harm.

From my understanding, there is not yet enough evidence to indite Thaksin, so it is best to keep him at a distance to minimize the self-serving damage he plans. The thought of Thaksin doing self serving damage to Thailand, I am 100% sure that is what he is up to. It is impossible for him to establish leadership in any other country.

[Tony Clifton]

IF they stamp red passports:

Let him travel, encourage him to fly a lot while his passport fills up with stamps, getting him closer and closer to renewal.

[george]

Don't you think he still have a Thai standard passport as well. Or do you have to surrender the standard passport when getting a Diplomatic passport?

[khunyae]

So what advantages/priveliges come with a diplomatic passport?

[PhilHarries]

Generals played their part as gentlemen and they expect Thaksin to behave like a gentleman, too.

[Spenthouse]

IF they stamp red passports:

Let him travel, encourage him to fly a lot while his passport fills up with stamps, getting him closer and closer to renewal.

i suppose he could then get a thailand elite card

[ColPyat]

They have to monitor all his movements so he can't quietly slip into the country so they want him to stay put in one place. They don't want to trail him all over Asia (though the guys on his tail would probably enjoy a trip to Bali).

It's not the first coup, there are rules. They don't revoke PMs passports, and PMs don't give generals a headache popping up unexpectedly all over the place. Generals played their part as gentlemen and they expect Thaksin to behave like a gentleman, too.

This morning healines are about how much money that rice pledging scheme lost. Violence in the South won't stop in one day because of one speech. Surayud is trying to win the grassroot's support, not the militants'. They won't stop killing for a long time even after their communities stop supporting.

This is not a thread on government's performance though.

What do you imagine - Thaksin "slipping quietly over the border", goes to Isaarn and raises a famers army, marches to Bangkok and takes on the tanks?

There are rules? LOL!

So far Thaksin has followed every request the new, non-elected government has made. When he lived in London you all folks complained about Thaksin being in London, hoping his Visa to be revoced, when he's travelling around you complain about that either.

[ColPyat]

Another completely contradictionary statement by our PM:

Government is not nervous over Thaksin's globe trotting : PM

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is welcomed to talk with the government if he did not agree with an idea that he should return to Thailand after one year's time, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday.

Thaksin has rights to travel to wherever he wants and the government is not nervous about his globe trotting, Surayud said.

"But if Khun Thaksin wants to come back to Thailand, he should talk to the government first. I think he should return after one year's time. But if he did not think so, he could talk to us, we welcome it," he said.

Moreover the government did not have an idea to revoke Thaksin's diplomatic passport.

"We have no problems with Khun Thaksin wandering from country to country or using diplomatic passport that he obtained during his time in the government. He can travel to wherever he wants, we honour him," Surayud said.

"I am not nervous over Thaksin's movement. I want to make it clear that the government did not worry that he would try to talk to other countries' leaders about the country's situations. It is his rights," he said.

The latest move to rid Thaksin of his diplomatic status came after he and Pojaman, who have been popping up in various cities around the world, surfaced in a Hong Kong shopping mall where they were hounded by journalists and photographers

However he would consult with Foreign Ministry that is in charge of the consular and protocol affairs about the nature of ordinary and diplomatic passports.

Asked whether Thaksin's diplomatic passport should be revoked now that he was ousted, Surayud said the government would honour him as long as he did not do something wrong.

He said Thaksin's globe trotting would not have any impact on the government.

The Nation

[chuchok]

So what advantages/priveliges come with a diplomatic passport?

for one, he gets diplomatic immunity.don't know what it is like now, but in the old days you could waltz through customs....no bag search etc.

[lukamar]

Generals played their part as gentlemen and they expect Thaksin to behave like a gentleman, too.

You have been telling us for months that Thaksin is no gentleman. So why would you expect him to all of a sudden act like one? AND Gentlemen do not act like thieves breaking into a vacant house at gunpoint in the dead of the night, that's definitely not gentlemanly.

[ovenman]

So what advantages/priveliges come with a diplomatic passport?

for one, he gets diplomatic immunity.don't know what it is like now, but in the old days you could waltz through customs....no bag search etc.

Assuming that is the case, and assuming that what heng posted above is also correct (I've no reason to doubt him), why would Paradorn or his father qualify for a diplomatic passport?

[chuchok]

So what advantages/priveliges come with a diplomatic passport?

for one, he gets diplomatic immunity.don't know what it is like now, but in the old days you could waltz through customs....no bag search etc.

Assuming that is the case, and assuming that what heng posted above is also correct (I've no reason to doubt him), why would Paradorn or his father qualify for a diplomatic passport?

I assume that the Thai Govt. can give a diplomatic passport to anybody they want to.....

[ovenman]

...why would Paradorn or his father qualify for a diplomatic passport?

I assume that the Thai Govt. can give a diplomatic passport to anybody they want to.....

No doubt and once again assuming heng is correct, apparently that must be pretty much how they operate.

[cclub75]

What a farce, really.

Surayud doesn't fit the job. Or he starts to prepare leo leo the "landing parachute"... to have a "honorable retirement"... When Thaksin will return.

Another completely contradictionary statement by our PM:

"We have no problems with Khun Thaksin wandering from country to country or using diplomatic passport that he obtained during his time in the government. He can travel to wherever he wants, we honour him," Surayud said.

[Losangels]

So what advantages/priveliges come with a diplomatic passport?

for one, he gets diplomatic immunity.don't know what it is like now, but in the old days you could waltz through customs....no bag search etc.

Assuming that is the case, and assuming that what heng posted above is also correct (I've no reason to doubt him), why would Paradorn or his father qualify for a diplomatic passport?

Because according to the govenment he reflects the good "image" of the country and advertises Thailand to the rest of the world Some here are more priveledge than others

[Old Man River]

Let's say the diplomatic passport is revoked. He can't return to Thailand and he can't be a tourist in one country indefinitely. Would he seek political asylum in a country, or travel from country to country on a tourist visa?

[sriracha john]

If people would stop to read the OP, the PM never said he was considering revoking the diplomatic passport. The OP says only that it been recommended to him to do so.

Unlike the very real contradictions so prevalent in the previous administration, this does not seem to be the case here:

No Plan To Cancel Thaksin's Diplomatic Passport, Says Thai PM

BANGKOK, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Thai Government has no plan to cancel ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's diplomatic passport.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont dismissed newspaper reports that he planned to ask the Foreign Ministry to revoke the privilege still enjoyed by the former premier despite being ousted by the Sept 19 coup.

-- BERNAMA