Yingluck ‘may seek UK asylum

[rooster59]

Yingluck ‘may seek UK asylum

By THE SUNDAY NATION, AGENCIES

 

 

FORMER PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra is in Dubai and may try to seek asylum in the United Kingdom after fleeing the country to avoid a court ruling, a junta source said yesterday.

 

The source, who is well placed in the security hierarchy, gave a detailed description of her escape, saying she took a private jet from Thailand to Singapore and on to Dubai, AFP reported.

 

Dubai is the base of Shinawatra family patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra, who is Yingluck’s elder brother.

 

“Thaksin has long prepared an escape plan for his sister. He would not allow his sister to spend even a single day in prison,” said the source, who requested anonymity.

 

“But Dubai is not Yingluck’s final destination,” the source said, adding she may be aiming “to claim asylum in Britain”.

 

Thaksin, who once owned Manchester City football club, owns property in London and spends significant amounts of time in the city.

 

 

The Shinawatras’ political network remained tight-lipped yesterday in a media blackout that only served to heighten speculation over her dash from Thailand and the likelihood of a possible deal with the junta to allow her to leave.

 

A senior source inside the family’s Pheu Thai Party, also requesting anonymity, told AFP that Yingluck had fled the country for Dubai a few days before the ruling. Another party source told CNN that she left for Dubai on Wednesday.

 

Analysts say Yingluck, who was closely monitored by Thai security services, most likely cut a deal to exit the country.

 

The decision to flee helps her avoid being jailed under a Thai junta that pressed for her trial and diminishes the possibility of pro-Shinawatra protests. 

 

Had she been jailed, Yingluck’s plight could have stirred anger and unrest among her large support base.

 

The military is desperate to avoid instability as it digs in for a long stay in Thai politics.

 

Political scientist Thawee Surarittikul said there was suspicion that the security authorities and people in power were instrumental in helping Yingluck leave the country, despite a court ban on her travelling overseas.

 

However, he viewed her escape as a “win-win option” for both the junta and Yingluck.

 

Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said if the former PM really had been helped to flee by people in power, “that would be damaging to the justice system and confidence in the country’s security”.

 

Meanwhile, Colonel Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said yesterday there had been no security meeting to address Yingluck’s escape.

 

Prime Minister and NCPO chief Prayut Chan-o-cha had issued no special orders relating to the issue, Winthai said. 

 

Normal laws would be enforced to catch Yingluck following an arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court, he said.

 

“You have to understand that the border is long and there is natural border route,” he said. “Authorities work at their full force to monitor illegal things being imported to the country or use the route to flee the country.” 

 

In a related development, a key red-shirt leader said Yingluck’s disappearance would make it harder for the group to advocate for the rule of law.

 

“If everyone runs away and goes abroad, it means the fight for the rule of law would be a long one,” Thida Thavornseth, a key United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) leader, told The Straits Times.

 

“We understand. Maybe it is good for her. We cannot ask her to donate all her life to the fight [for democracy],” she said.

 

Privately, some Pheu Thai supporters mused at how awkward it was that Yingluck skipped court at the last moment after braving two years of legal processes that supporters claim were stacked against her. But they felt public sympathy would eventually outweigh that surprise.

 

However, Ubon Ratchathani political scientist Titipol Phakdeewanich said Yingluck’s no-show would not greatly affect |Pheu Thai. “The arrest warrant reinforces the idea that Yingluck and Pheu Thai were victims of the system,” he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30324990

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-27

[DonThaiToMe]

“Thaksin has long prepared an escape plan for his sister. He would not allow his sister to spend even a single day in prison,” said the source, who requested anonymity.

 

What a joke.

 

The Junta more or less admits to knowing about YS ´escape plan´ (of course they knew, they probably escorted her to the border themselves) and at the same time tells the press they couldn´t understand how she "slipped away".

 

There were never a chance in hell she would be allowed to spend a day in thai prison.

 

And they want people to believe the whole debacle isn´t politically motivated/orchestrated? Yeah right... 

 

 

[LannaGuy]

The whole point, of it all, is nothing to do with Yingluck or rice it's ALL about politics.

[bheard]

Spending the rest of one's life in Dubai would be akin to life in a Thai prison I'd reckon. She'll be going elsewhere for sure.

[Dave67]

Good idea she could open a Chick-King shop as many seekers of asylum have done

[quadperfect]

This whole dog and pony show is hilariouse. I lean towards all thailand is corrupt and dishonest. This way i am not shocked by daily life in the kingdome.

 

[meechai]

Quote

"gave a detailed description of her escape, saying she took a private jet from Thailand to Singapore "

Do they know how ignorant this makes them look?

 

If any of it is true & I doubt it all....Then the clowns in charge should not be buying Submarines but instead invest in Radar

 

 

Edited August 27, 2017 by meechai

[namoi]

Likely why Julie Bishop the foreign affairs minister from Australia was there last week, advising her not to seek asylum here because we have to put on an island in less than third world conditions and you will either die or have to move back to where you came from regardless of your circumstances.

[z42]

Asylum. What a joke, she is guilty of at the very least criminal negligence, or looking the other way to frankly unchecked corruption by those in her party. As a UK citizen I would be disgusted if she was to be granted asylum, especially when there are many hundreds of thousands of INNOCENT people fleeing actual harm in their home nations.

Can only keep repeating that this idiotic woman is NOT THE VICTIM OF ANYTHING THAT WASN'T OF HER OWN MAKING. She is fleeing rightful criminal prosecution, and that should provide no grounds for asylum whatsoever.

 

[Somtamnication]

Ah, Britain. The best place to claim asylum. Not the best place for spouses to apply for residency. 

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, DonThaiToMe said:

“Thaksin has long prepared an escape plan for his sister. He would not allow his sister to spend even a single day in prison,” said the source, who requested anonymity.

 

What a joke.

 

The Junta more or less admits to knowing about YS ´escape plan´ (of course they knew, they probably escorted her to the border themselves) and at the same time tells the press they couldn´t understand how she "slipped away".

 

There were never a chance in hell she would be allowed to spend a day in thai prison.

 

And they want people to believe the whole debacle isn´t politically motivated/orchestrated? Yeah right... 

 

 

By the same token, reconciliation has many different, unspoken aspects.

[LannaGuy]

I'd be proud if Britain offered her asylum and sent that Red Bull scum back here. Britain has a proud history of democracy, ethics and freedom and she would be safe there.

[worgeordie]

She's wealthy,so if she requests asylum in London,she will fit

right in with the Russian oligarchs ,many of whom have iffy

backgrounds.

 

regards worgeordie

[NanLaew]

7 minutes ago, z42 said:

Asylum. What a joke, she is guilty of at the very least criminal negligence, or looking the other way to frankly unchecked corruption by those in her party. As a UK citizen I would be disgusted if she was to be granted asylum, especially when there are many hundreds of thousands of INNOCENT people fleeing actual harm in their home nations.

Can only keep repeating that this idiotic woman is NOT THE VICTIM OF ANYTHING THAT WASN'T OF HER OWN MAKING. She is fleeing rightful criminal prosecution, and that should provide no grounds for asylum whatsoever.

 

If the (yet to be read) judgement and sentencing was passed by a court operating under a democratically elected, civilian administration, then maybe your righteous indignation as a 'disgusted' UK citizen would mean something.

[inThailand]

UK Ayslum? 

 

What's wrong with allowing one more criminal in? 

[chopin2]

1 hour ago, Dave67 said:

Good idea she could open a Chick-King shop as many seekers of asylum have done

What about a massage parlor? After all, she has a great mamasan look.

[NCC1701A]

Thailand's Lawless Junta Versus Yingluck Shinawatra: Using Courts to Punish Political Opponents

 

" Of course, the trial never was fair. It was orchestrated by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha. Installed as prime minister at the head of the self-proclaimed National Council for Peace and Order, he is a comic figure highly sensitive to criticism and with delusions of grandeur. But he brooks no opposition."

 

OUCH! Read the rest. This is how the rest of the world sees Thailand now. It does not matter what the back story is.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2017/08/25/thailands-lawless-junta-versus-yingluck-shinawatra-uses-courts-to-punish-political-opponents/#403080fc69a4

Edited August 27, 2017 by NCC1701A

[Ricardo]

At least she would help revive the UK-economy, with a little retail-therapy, whether in Oxford Street or Poundland is up-to-her !

[Briggsy]

The asylum issue is purely a tactic to broadcast the fact to the world that she feels she is being politically persecuted. There is zero chance any wealthy Thai politician will go through the UK asylum procedure. They have multiple options such as investor visa or passports of other nations.

 

Anyone taking the "Yingluck may claim UK asylum" claim at face value is naively and incorrectly interpreting the statement.

[anto]

40 minutes ago, namoi said:

Likely why Julie Bishop the foreign affairs minister from Australia was there last week, advising her not to seek asylum here because we have to put on an island in less than third world conditions and you will either die or have to move back to where you came from regardless of your circumstances.

So you don't think that Australian politicians can be bought ? The only thing that might stop Australia giving her a Passport straight away is that America might not like it .

[StayinThailand2much]

1 hour ago, Dave67 said:

Good idea she could open a Chick-King shop as many seekers of asylum have done

Or a Thai massage (traditional, or other) in the UK. 

[StayinThailand2much]

17 minutes ago, Ricardo said:

At least she would help revive the UK-economy, with a little retail-therapy, whether in Oxford Street or Poundland is up-to-her !

How about Soho?

[smutcakes]

Its going to be great fun watching the contortions of will they/won't they try and get her extradited, the excuses for or against it, and all along with the back drop of the way the RB has been handled.

 

I expect she will end up in the UK where her son will attend a top boarding school for the next 10 years or so when the fun and games continue in Thailand.

 

I don't believe any Government would send her back and will be interesting if they even make any attempt to get her back. They don't seem to of bothered with her brother. As the   OP ed in the BKP alludes the last minute departure seems to indicate that the negotiations must of gone on to the last minute and either this was the outcome or they failed and she had to make a run for it. Still seems unbelievable that she could leave without tactile approval to do so.

[Ricardo]

30 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

OUCH! Read the rest. This is how the rest of the world sees Thailand now. It does not matter what the back story is.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2017/08/25/thailands-lawless-junta-versus-yingluck-shinawatra-uses-courts-to-punish-political-opponents/#403080fc69a4

It is perhaps useful to google the author of that piece, Doug Bandow, as part of assessing its value.

 

It's worth reading IMO, and does make some interesting points, but  ...  

[Ricardo]

5 minutes ago, smutcakes said:

Its going to be great fun watching the contortions of will they/won't they try and get her extradited, the excuses for or against it, and all along with the back drop of the way the RB has been handled.

 

I expect she will end up in the UK where her son will attend a top boarding school for the next 10 years or so when the fun and games continue in Thailand.

 

I don't believe any Government would send her back and will be interesting if they even make any attempt to get her back. They don't seem to of bothered with her brother. As the   OP ed in the BKP alludes the last minute departure seems to indicate that the negotiations must of gone on to the last minute and either this was the outcome or they failed and she had to make a run for it. Still seems unbelievable that she could leave without tactile approval to do so.

 

"tactile approval" ? 

 

I suspect "tacit approval" may have been what you intended to say ?

 

Perhaps a Freudian-slip !

 

 

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“You have to understand that the border is long and there is natural border route,” he said. “Authorities work at their full force to monitor illegal things being imported to the country or use the route to flee the country.” 

the border is long and has many bushes, the sky is big with many clouds, the river is deep and the mountain is high...

thank you for helping me understand the various concepts involved

[ezzra]

The worst of it all is the loss of face to the whole Shin clan, from now

on they will be forever known as the run away Shins, not a bone of

courage and dignity to face the music among them...

and if any of the Shin's  siblings had any political asperations, well, that's

all gone to the toilet now....

[smutcakes]

2 minutes ago, ezzra said:

The worst of it all is the loss of face to the whole Shin clan, from now

on they will be forever known as the run away Shins, not a bone of

courage and dignity to face the music among them...

and if any of the Shin's  siblings had any political asperations, well, that's

all gone to the toilet now....

I very much doubt that. I expect he leaving will not have changed many peoples opinions. Those who dislike the Shinawatras will still dislike them and those who don't dislike them will justify the decision made. I think 'loss of face' will be very low down their worries if at all. 

 

I am sure if they wanted to push another Shin forward with political aspirations they would receive large support regardless.

[sawadee1947]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“The arrest warrant reinforces the idea that Yingluck and Pheu Thai were victims of the system,”

I think the outcome we will see when (if) there are elections in future. Yingluck becomes a martyr and PT will have a lot of voters. (majority again?)

At the end there will be NO CHANGE in Thai politics. And - of course - no reconciliation as it would be urgent to start with.

The general got his chance but spilled the beans.

[wgdanson]

1 hour ago, Somtamnication said:

Ah, Britain. The best place to claim asylum. Not the best place for spouses to apply for residency. 

Hope she can get through understanding the Visa Apllication form.