Former foreign minister Surapong impeached for returning passports to Thaksin

[webfact]

Former foreign minister impeached in Thaksin passport case

 

File photo : Surapong

 

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly has voted 231-4 in favour of impeaching former foreign minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul for malfeasance in re-issuing the national passports of ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

With the impeachment, Surapong, a Pheu Thai party executive, is banned from politics for five years, starting today.

 

The former foreign minister was accused of illegally returning two Thai passports to Thaksin, once a powerful leader of Pheu Thai and an ousted prime minister, who has been living in exile since his conviction  in a land case.

 

His two passports were revoked during the Abhisit government, but Surapong returned them to him, arguing Thaksin was not a threat to the country as claimed.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission found Surapong guilty of malfeasance and forwarded the case to the NLA. NACC representative Supa Piyachiti said returning the passports to the former PM breached the Foreign Ministry’s regulations prohibiting issuance to terrorism suspects.

 

Supa said Thaksin was on the list of those banned. She accused the ministry of not checking this fact, and instead expediting the issuance of the passports to Thaksin in just one day.

 

She said the NACC saw the former minister as being behind the move, making it impossible for concerned officials to object to such an illegal process.

 

In the hearing, Surapong refuted the allegations, claiming the issuance of the passports was a political decision, which would differ according to different ministers, and not a crrime from a legal perspective. He said in his view Thaksin was not a threat to the country.

 

He also said the ministry had tried to contact the Royal Thai Police as well as the court regarding the blacklist, but had received no response.

 

He insisted that the issuance followed the due process and it was possible to issue passports in one day as electronic data is easily accessible.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310782

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-30

[webfact]

Surapong impeached by NLA

 

 

The National Legislative Assembly late today voted 231 against 4 to impeach Pheu Thai’s former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

 

Three members of the NLA abstained  the votes.

 

Surapong was accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of malfeasance for reissuing two cancelled passports to ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

After the voting today, the NLA will notify Surapong of the impeachment, and the NACC to pursue legal charges against him.

 

Thaksin’s two passports were revoked during the Abhisit government, but Surapong returned them to him – arguing Thaksin was not a threat to the country as claimed.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/surapong-impeached-nla/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-03-30

[NCC1701A]

WHAT? It was not totally unanimous?

[colinneil]

All the money given to him by Thaksin, is no use now.

 

[WhizBang]

Banned from politics for 5 years.  Wow, such a harsh sentence.  Is that all?  No big fines, or imprisonment?
 

[Becker]

With all the s*** that has happened/is happening it's comforting to see that the old elite magnanimous government is focusing on the important cases and that they are constantly showing how impartial and pro reconciliation they are!

[scorecard]

22 minutes ago, Becker said:

With all the s*** that has happened/is happening it's comforting to see that the old elite magnanimous government is focusing on the important cases and that they are constantly showing how impartial and pro reconciliation they are!

 Rubbish.

[Becker]

20 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 Rubbish.

Thank you. The infallible logic and sharp reasoning behind your clear and concise arguments have convinced me you're right, and I'm wrong!!

[scorecard]

Just now, Becker said:

Thank you. The infallible logic and sharp reasoning behind your clear and concise arguments have convinced me you're right, and I'm wrong!!

 

Well done.

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

arguing Thaksin was not a threat to the country as claimed.

I am amazed that 4 people voted in your favor. No big fine attached?? Ooops missed the last sentence your not out of the woods yet. 

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, WhizBang said:

Banned from politics for 5 years.  Wow, such a harsh sentence.  Is that all?  No big fines, or imprisonment?
 

Read the last comment in the statement he is not out of the woods by a long shot. 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Becker said:

With all the s*** that has happened/is happening it's comforting to see that the old elite magnanimous government is focusing on the important cases and that they are constantly showing how impartial and pro reconciliation they are!

 

So would you suggest that cases proceeding (very slowly) through the various courts should all be dropped.

 

What has this got to do with reconciliation? 

[scorecard]

22 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

I am amazed that 4 people voted in your favor. No big fine attached?? Ooops missed the last sentence your not out of the woods yet. 

 

The report says they abstained.

[johng]

The witch hunt continues.

[Becker]

4 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

So would you suggest that cases proceeding (very slowly) through the various courts should all be dropped.

 

What has this got to do with reconciliation? 

No, what I'm suggesting is that the cases that are even being considered by the courts are very carefully and politically selected. Do I really need to spell it out for you what that's got to do with reconciliation?

[scorecard]

3 minutes ago, Becker said:

No, what I'm suggesting is that the cases that are even being considered by the courts are very carefully and politically selected. Do I really need to spell it out for you what that's got to do with reconciliation?

 

Just your opinion, seems to me overall there's some balance and in any case case it must be true that cases don't necessarily get completed in some sort of red - yellow, red - yellow order. 

[klauskunkel]

 

Gollum: "My Prrreshoussss!"

[Becker]

31 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Just your opinion, seems to me overall there's some balance and in any case case it must be true that cases don't necessarily get completed in some sort of red - yellow, red - yellow order. 

Not just my opinion. I think you'll find that most TVF posters agree with the assertion that the junta are using the courts to settle scores. It's pretty obvious, really.

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

 

The report says they abstained.

and the reason being?? 

[scorecard]

1 minute ago, elgordo38 said:

and the reason being?? 

 

I don't know. do you? Please share.

[worgeordie]

Did he not personally deliver the passports,to his master

in Dubai, 5 years ban from politics,that means he will be

ready for the next election.

regards Worgeordie

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, johng said:

The witch hunt continues.

 

No it doesn't.

 

This former FM issued new passports to his criminal cousin and even hand delivered them. He refused to answer questions from the Ombudsman regarding this and does not deny doing it.

 

Hardly a witch hunt.

[Baerboxer]

55 minutes ago, Becker said:

Not just my opinion. I think you'll find that most TVF posters agree with the assertion that the junta are using the courts to settle scores. It's pretty obvious, really.

 

Perhaps you should organize a poll to test your theory? 

 

If the subjects hadn't committed the crime they couldn't be brought to justice.

[chainarong]

1 hour ago, Becker said:

Not just my opinion. I think you'll find that most TVF posters agree with the assertion that the junta are using the courts to settle scores. It's pretty obvious, really.

This seems to be an occupational hazard in Thailand , cast your mind back to disgraced DSI Tarit , he tried to arrest every Democrat he could see, even forgetting he was appointed by the Democrats, similar to Prayut he was a good friend of Yingluck and was appointed Commander in Chief by her government, who needs enemy's when you've got friends like these back stabbers....................................

[Rhys]

baliff, whack his pp.... justice.....

[Eric Loh]

Foreign Minister does have the authority for passport operation. The current junta government could have just annulled and revoked the passport. Impeachment is excessive and the 5 years ban on politics is intimidation and agenda driven. 

[leeneeds]

Long over due

[candide]

I have been wondering since long about the official legal motive. It is finally stated that it was because Thaksin was on a list of suspects of terrorism. I wonder who decides who is on this list or not?

[halloween]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Foreign Minister does have the authority for passport operation. The current junta government could have just annulled and revoked the passport. Impeachment is excessive and the 5 years ban on politics is intimidation and agenda driven. 

Yes he does. Does that give him the right to issue new passports to a fugitive criminal, who also happens to PAY him to be a member of his political party, as well as being a close relative. Might that not be considered corruption and abuse of office?

IMHO opinion the 5 year ban is totally unnecessary, the jail term term for his corruption should make his return to politics impossible.

[Becker]

6 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Perhaps you should organize a poll to test your theory? 

 

If the subjects hadn't committed the crime they couldn't be brought to justice.

Organize a poll? Don't know how and can't be @***d to find out. You're more than welcome to do so if you want. BTW, do you think the people of Thailand should be allowed to have their say in a nationwide poll for or against the junta?

 

Don't understand your last sentence.