New Efforts Underway To Rid Thaksin Of Passport

[george]

New efforts underway to rid Thaksin of passport

BANGKOK: -- Senior members in the Council of National Security (CNS) have made another attempt to get the foreign ministry to revoke the "diplomatic passport" of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, possibly by the end of the year, according to an informed source.

Some senior military figures have been annoyed by Thaksin's movements in neighbouring countries over the past months and believe that he is quietly masterminding anti-CNS activities from these places.

According to the source, a senior CNS officer has suggested that the government confiscate Thaksin's passport altogether if he continues with his alleged political activities from abroad, even after his diplomatic passport has been revoked.

It was not clear as to how revoking Thaksin's diplomatic passport could curb his alleged activities because many of the places he has been visiting grant free entry to ordinary Thai citizens, according to the source.

Members of the Thai Rak Thai Party reportedly met the ousted premier in Hong Kong last month to plot a series of disturbances in the country to discredit the CNS.

Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Kiattikhun Chartprasert said the ministry maintained the same stance that permits former premiers and former foreign ministers to travel under diplomatic passport.

However, Kiattikhun said, the matter could be reconsidered "if new developments pertaining to his issue surfaced".

The rest of Thaksin's cabinet members have already handed their diplomatic passports to the Foreign Ministry and now travel on ordinary ones. Their diplomatic passports expire on December 21.

Meanwhile Thaksin and former ministers Kantathi Suphamongkhon and Surakiart Sathirathai retain the privilege to hold diplomatic passports in line with past practice, Kiattikhun said.

For the past several weeks, Thaksin has made headlines in Hong Kong, Indonesia and China, where he has been shopping and visiting friends, by using his diplomatic passport. He is currently travelling in China.

According to various government sources, there have been clear links between Thaksin's supporters and former Cabinet ministers and the underground political activities, commonly referred to as "undercurrent", aimed at destabilising the government.

According to the source, the government will issue the order after assessing the planned anti-government rally scheduled for December 10.

The source said cancelling Thaksin's diplomatic passport was an important gesture to show the world that he no longer represented Thailand in any capacity.

The Thai Embassy in London will be instructed to issue a new ordinary passport, pending the ministry's approval, he said.

The Nation has learned that with the order, Thaksin's current passport will expire at midnight on December 31.

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

--The Nation 2006-12-08

[sriracha john]

According to various government sources, there have been clear links between Thaksin's supporters and former Cabinet ministers and the underground political activities, commonly referred to as "undercurrent", aimed at destabilising the government.

According to the source, the government will issue the order after assessing the planned anti-government rally scheduled for December 10.

It's quite reassuring that the government is keeping a handle on this and that their measured response is quite different than the previous PM's method of dealing with conflict, which usually seemed to end up with the use of these hired goons.

By waiting to see how things develop on the 10th, they show their patience, optimism, and honesty... traits sorely lacking in Thaksin when he was running the show with his iron fist.

The source said cancelling Thaksin's diplomatic passport was an important gesture to show the world that he no longer represented Thailand in any capacity.

Absolutely the correct message to send to the entire world. He's a has-been... disgraced and humiliated... and there's no reason to have this blight on Thailand's history walking about with a diplomatic passport.

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

Ahhh.. I guess a better question is... does Britain want him? However it's looked at, it IS funny he's making visa runs.

[johnh101]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

160 Days ? I thought it was 90 ?

[pumpuiman]

FOREIGN MINISTRY

Thaksin and Kantathi can keep passports

The Foreign Ministry will allow ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former foreign minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon to keep their diplomatic passports. Deputy ministry spokesman Kiattikhun Chartprasert said yesterday that the ministry will not rescind the red-covered diplomatic passports for the two, but added that other cabinet members in the previous government cannot hold the official passports after Dec 21, the date they expire.

The ministry had informed all but Mr Thaksin and Mr Kantathi twice about the need to return their diplomatic passports, which cannot be used after that day, the official said. The ministry was ready to assist them in applying for ordinary passports, he added.

Despite allowing the former premier to hold his diplomatic passport, the deputy spokesman said the ministry will closely monitor Mr Thaksin's possession of it.

Having a diplomatic passport allows the holder several privileges, including no visa requirements for entering several countries.

Mr Thaksin's opponents have called for the cancellation of his official passport to prevent him from travelling from his self-imposed exile in London to other countries.

But the ministry has explained that it is normal practice to allow all former prime ministers and foreign ministers to keep their diplomatic passports

[stumonster]

he is quietly masterminding

I doubt it - babysitting maybe .....

[sriracha john]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

160 Days ? I thought it was 90 ?

I believe he applied under a new program in the UK that allows professional lorry drivers to have 160 days instead of the normal 90:

[h90]

Ahhh.. I guess a better question is... does Britain want him? However it's looked at, it IS funny he's making visa runs.

To which country do they make visa runs? To Switzerland, to Croatia (lovely country by the way) or Belarus?

[ovenman]

Ahhh.. I guess a better question is... does Britain want him? However it's looked at, it IS funny he's making visa runs.

To which country do they make visa runs? To Switzerland, to Croatia (lovely country by the way) or Belarus?

Rumour has it that there is a new Jack Golf visa ferry that runs between Dover and Calais.

[sriracha john]

Ahhh.. I guess a better question is... does Britain want him? However it's looked at, it IS funny he's making visa runs.

To which country do they make visa runs? To Switzerland, to Croatia (lovely country by the way) or Belarus?

With the Channel Tunnel and his trusty lorry, he'll be able to make trips to all those places and with his silk shirts, he'll be able to look good while he's doing it.

[Heng]

It was not clear as to how revoking Thaksin's diplomatic passport could curb his alleged activities because many of the places he has been visiting grant free entry to ordinary Thai citizens, according to the source.

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

160 Days ? I thought it was 90 ?

I believe he applied under a new program in the UK that allows professional lorry drivers to have 160 days instead of the normal 90:

I wonder if he's got his own picture painted, Pojaman's face or maybe Rambo, Al pacino on the mudflaps?

[kmart]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

160 Days ? I thought it was 90 ?

I believe he applied under a new program in the UK that allows professional lorry drivers to have 160 days instead of the normal 90:

I wonder if he's got his own picture painted, Pojaman's face or maybe Rambo, Al pacino on the mudflaps?

Or Osama bin Laden's?

[sriracha john]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

160 Days ? I thought it was 90 ?

I believe he applied under a new program in the UK that allows professional lorry drivers to have 160 days instead of the normal 90:

I wonder if he's got his own picture painted, Pojaman's face or maybe Rambo, Al pacino on the mudflaps?

Or Osama bin Laden's?

sorry, marshbags, but Tony's right... although he did have more guesses submitted.

Professional lorry driver Thaksin's sporty, intimidating, macho mudflaps on display at the London Motorshow

Bangkok Herald-Examiner

[chuchok]

It was not clear as to how revoking Thaksin's diplomatic passport could curb his alleged activities because many of the places he has been visiting grant free entry to ordinary Thai citizens, according to the source.

Yep,that got me too.most countries would love to have Thaksin.Money talks, and he has plenty of that.

[grtaylor]

Thaksin has a five-year multiply-entry visa to Britain. He can stay in Britain during each period for no more than 160 days.

and I'll bet Tony Blair could NOT get the same visa here . . . . . .

G

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Thaksin may lose his red passport

Grounds exist to axe diplomatic status

The Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) indicated yesterday that there are grounds for the Foreign Ministry to revoke the diplomatic passport issued to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

ASC investigator Jaruvan Maintaka said the committee had found evidence to take action against the former prime minister over the procurement of 26 CTX bomb scanning and baggage handling systems for Suvarnabhumi airport, and a land deal on Ratchadaphisek road.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Jan2007_news11.php

[ilyushin]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

[younghusband]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

Why not just send someone with a pick axe as Stalin did with Trotsky? It's a fairly open secret who Thaksin might implicate once he starts talking.

Your reference to the Hague is absurd.The one mass murderer who probably should be tried is alive and well in Bangkok, chummy with the generals and a member of various hiso clubs.

I probably shouldn't have dignified your ignorant nonsense with a reply, but it's a slow day.

[aaaaaa]

The one mass murderer who probably should be tried is alive and well in Bangkok, chummy with the generals and a member of various hiso clubs.

that's a very true fact - he even has a lot to say to present government as he had to previous too !

like here is the 1 year old article from Nation where he is quoted giving advise to Thaksin how to stay afloat.

BTW, few familiar names are also mentioned there:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/23...cs_20001400.php

and recent news (Dec 27) indicate that somehow he is in some position to decide things - is he back in favor or what : http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=200275

[mongoose]

UPDATE

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Jan2007_news11.php

The continued here article says that Taksin's wife and her brother decided not to attend a hearing and give testimony. The kids did the same a while ago. If the powers that be can not even get them to show up and accept their excuses, can we expect them to really prosecute cases?

[Tony Clifton]

Khunying Potjaman and Mr Bannapot would not appear before an ASC sub-panel today in order to acknowledge the accusations and defend themselves because they had to attend to some affairs overseas.

More important than saving you a55 from tax evasion charges at home?

They're all clearly avoiding testifying. I think they're in for a surprise veeery soon.

[aaaaaa]

don't worry - you will see soon enough. dates are set already on March 6 by Constitutional Tribunal for T. to appear in person to defend a case of his party. and hopefully by that time more evidences will surface and officially published regarding - who was behind Bkk bombings.

[sriracha john]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

Good points, ilyushin, as Thaksin, with over 7,000 murders of his fellow countrymen under his belt, far surpasses any other Thai in recent history in terms of greed and mayhem.

Justice could hopefully attend to his atrocities at the Hague...

but perhaps extra telephone cameras could be distributed beforehand.

[Mid]

interesting the nobody has touched on the fact that with a diplomatic passport foreign governments are obliged to show him a measure of respect that he may not actually be entitled too ..............

[Bottlerocket]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

Good points, ilyushin, as Thaksin, with over 7,000 murders of his fellow countrymen under his belt, far surpasses any other Thai in recent history in terms of greed and mayhem.

Justice could hopefully attend to his atrocities at the Hague...

but perhaps extra telephone cameras could be distributed beforehand.

Glad there aren't any giant oil reservoirs here. Saddam got the noose for how many--150 or something?

[hammered]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

Why not just send someone with a pick axe as Stalin did with Trotsky? It's a fairly open secret who Thaksin might implicate once he starts talking.

Your reference to the Hague is absurd.The one mass murderer who probably should be tried is alive and well in Bangkok, chummy with the generals and a member of various hiso clubs.

I probably shouldn't have dignified your ignorant nonsense with a reply, but it's a slow day.

The guy you refer to is certainly worth trying, but the fact is less people were killed under his rule than under Mr. Thaksin's rule. In fact the death toll under Mr. Thaksins rule surpasses that of long running death merchants such as the recently deceased Gen. Pinochet and the Argentinian Generals. Why can we not agree that all these characters should be tried for their human rights abuses? Surely as human beings we see all civilians are equal, and the murder of anyone should be equally investigated and brought to court.

[astral]

Revoke the passport and he comes home, right? Leave him on an ordinary passport and he must apply for his own Visas and possibly banned from entering Thailand for 5 years. That will be good. He should have his assets frozen also and all Thai credit cards. They can seize the assets later. Get some solid criminal charges and book him a cell in the Hague.

That sounds like a logical way to approach matter.

Mind you Logic is an oxymoron in Thailand.

[Tony Clifton]

I wonder what all the fuss is about cancelling his red pasport.

Ex-CEO Thaksin should understand that any company's policy mentions that when you a55 is fired, your personal company ID card, keys, electronic door keys should be handed over immediately and made void immediately.

[britmaveric]

CNS bit paranoid.

[Tony Clifton]

Not paranoid at all. Why should he own a valid diplomatic passport when he is no longer a diplomat, rather a soon to be tax evading criminal in exile.

As I mentioned above, no company would want you walking around with ID cards showing you are still employed with them, the same should apply tenfold with politicians.