Thailand Revokes Thaksin's Passport

[ballbreaker]

Jai Dee

Thanks for that article, I enjoyed it.

I can only say that imho, Abhisit has played a complete masterstroke. I wonder if he was on the Oxford University Chess Team? Some things just don't add up as to why a group of very intelligent people allowed the ASEAN conference to run in the format that it did. We on this site could all see the potential problems, Abhisit must have seen them. I wouldn't be surprised if behind closed doors the first statement by him to the other ASEAN leaders was along the lines of 'guys we are expecting alot of trouble this week, we may have to postpone, I know its a ballsache but we will all be better off in the end'.

As much as the ASEAN leaders may have thought 'how weak' when the Thai government 'allowed' the protestors through to the conference, the message was quite clear, the Thais would avoid using force at all costs unless the situation was really bad. When force was used it became completely acceptab le and understood. Thaksins news interview disassters were scripted around the 'terrible continuing military oppression' of the Thai people, he had been desperate to engineer a confrontation in order that the Army stepped in, but it has backfired more than he (Thaksin) could ever have calculated. Thaksin has orchestrated his own very public downfall. Abhisit gave Thaksin enough rope to hang himself and he did just that. There is a post on here somewhere from a forum member saying that people in his very staunch redshirt town are now no longer wearing their redshirts or will even engage in discussion about Thaksin or what happened in Bangkok.

Abhisit I think you are a closet genius I tell you, Genius.

edited to add

jamesjdaly

Don't worry, what Offset said! I think if they get him back in this country they might just lose the keys. Inciting revolution could only be seen as the worst case of treason, Thaksin might be lucky to escape with his life if found guilty, and if he does I think he will be locked away and disappear into obscurity.

These were exactly my thoughts as the events unfolded over the last 5 days.

[webfact]

Well, he certainly has 1 or 2 more passports. I don't think he was so stupid and has traveled into Dubai (assuming he is there) on his Thai passport?

So, as far as I understand someone must leave the country with the passport entered. Is that now the moment where Interpol will step in?

Has there any international arrest warrant been issued?

Edited April 15, 2009 by webfact

[scorecard]

Did you see the interview on CNN between Taksin and Jim Clancy?

Clancy is either very well informed about the whole situation, or the producers has really done their homework. Clancy ripped Taksin to pieces. Taksin answered some questions with absolute lies.

"But Mr Taxsin, you've been convicted of corruption". Answer: "NO NO NO, it was a military coup". And there's a lot more.

My Thai lawyer friend just told me there's some discussion about using this footage, in it's entirity (version used on CNN was edited for total time apparently, but is available) to assist in showing the unaware folks what an eveil man taxsin really is.

[helvetian]

And now what. If worst comes to worst, he will flee to Uganda or Burundi and be able to live quite comfortably in the presidential palace there with his billions.

Edited April 15, 2009 by helvetian

[Tigs]

scorecard

A big thread about that you may be interested in

Here

[helvetian]

So, Thaksin is now officially Persona non grata........."an unwelcome person,".........

Doesn't that mean he's no longer allowed to enter Thailand? Hurts the extradition process a bit, doesn't it?

[scorecard]

Did you see the article about the ex-wifee and the kids being really upset, because they have suffered persecution.

Well I wonder what they think of daddy now? But perhaps daddy could build a fake shoping mall for them on the private jet, with Gucci products etc., so they can go shopping every day. And daddy could start an advertising company in the sky so that the son could sell advertising space on the private jet (never mind that nobody would see it).

What fun, never mind about the poor and unaware that they have used and duped for the last 8 years or so, they can eat fried rice, if they can afford it.

[Plus]

A couple of countries denied having anything to do wtih Thaksin, specifically giving him a passport. The original rumor was started by one internet news agency and it couldn't even provide one internet link to back up its story. Then the Bermudas and some other place officially denied it.

Nicaraguan passport was in the news a couple of weeks ago. Probably real.

Good luck travelling on Nicaraguan passport. It's actually illegal by Thai laws, he might eventually be stripped of citizenship altogether, but given it took them three years to cancel a passport, he'll have a lot of leeway.

[Sandstone Art]

He may return as a monk and kiss the ground at the airport again!

[scorecard]

So, Thaksin is now officially Persona non grata........."an unwelcome person,".........

Doesn't that mean he's no longer allowed to enter Thailand? Hurts the extradition process a bit, doesn't it?

It's not really like that. The Abhisit government is just trying to limit his movements.

The government can and would take care of whatever documents are needed to make the trip to get him back inside Thailand.

[webfact]

Don't find joy in another's misfortune...

their future in North Korea will be hard enough for them!

[colino]

DON'T BRING HIM BACK KEEP HIM ON THE RUN .

Give his money to charity

If he got back he would riggle out of any long prison sentence,

and then start all over again but this time he would be here

[Thunder26]

Jai Dee

Abhisit I think you are a closet genius I tell you, Genius.

I agree with you. I was very surprised to see the way he dealt with the chaos provoking protesters. The international community should learn a lot from him. He is a genius right now! Completely Agree!

[ozzieman05]

For years now Farang with a Thai spouse has had trouble getting a visa to take her into the west, because Thailand is not an acceptabe country to the west, and we have to work like dogs to get a visa

I can only dream now that Thaskin gets a 3rd world passport and has the same problem

Want to go to Australia Sir

Sorry Visa denied,

we worry you will return to your home country of residence at the end of the Visa

Edited April 15, 2009 by ozzieman05

[samtam]

Yesterday or before yesterday a Muslim community wrote a letter to the King of UAE, asking for help as the red shirts damaged their mosque. Maybe that also helps a little bit.

There is no such person as the King of UAE, or of Dubai - The Ruler of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the vice-president and prime minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven Gulf emirates.

[h90]

Yesterday or before yesterday a Muslim community wrote a letter to the King of UAE, asking for help as the red shirts damaged their mosque. Maybe that also helps a little bit.

There is no such person as the King of UAE, or of Dubai - The Ruler of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the vice-president and prime minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven Gulf emirates.

I can't find the source anymore, I may missquoted it.

[baht&sold]

Scathing media cartoon burns sensitive nerve of Cambodia about ties with Thailand

article link

PHNOM PENH, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A scathing political cartoon has angered the Cambodian government at this sensitive time of the Cambodian-Thai ties, and pushed the publisher into an awkward situation.

The government is demanding a written explanation for the recently-printed newspaper cartoon depicting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra playing golf together, claiming that it could seriously affect the Cambodian-Thai relations.

"I need (a) written explanation. It's all. But if I don't have any response, then I will decide another step," English-language newspaper the Cambodia Daily on Wednesday quoted Information Minister Khieu Kanharith as saying.

In the hand-drawn picture published by another English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post on April 10, Thaksin shot a mine instead of a ball with his golf pole into the territory of Thailand, saying that "YES, IT'S MINE!!! THEREFORE I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH IT..."

Hun Sen, beside Thaksin right outside the borderline of Thailand, said that "BUT... WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IT IS YOUR COUNTRY..."

Khieu Kanharith said that "it is not a problem of offending, but this cartoon came at the time Thailand accused Cambodia of harboring Thaksin."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information issued a press release last week, saying that this cartoon was politically-oriented and would make readers misunderstand the political stance of Cambodia.

Cambodia already spiked the rumor that Thaksin was hidden here, but the cartoon obviously told readers that he was temporarily living in Cambodia, Khieu Kanharith said in the release.

"This came at the most sensitive time, and it is not a joke at all," he said, adding that the Phnom Penh Post should submit its evidence for Thaksin's stay in Cambodia.

By publishing the cartoon, the newspaper had violated an article of the press law prohibiting publication of information inciting discrimination, according to the press release.

Any media should be objective and neutral in its reporting, it added.

In the mean time, Michel Dauguet, CEO of the Post Media Co. which started to publish the Phnom Penh Post as daily paper last year, issued a statement to clarify that "our editorial cartoon does not imply that Mr. Thaksin is living or has taken residence in Cambodia."

Thaksin was represented in unspecified space outside Thailand, symbolizing his exile, and exacerbating tensions at home, he said.

"The fact that some people may have interpreted that this editorial cartoon gives credit to the absurd theory of Thaksin's presence in Cambodia is an unfortunate misunderstanding," he added.

In early April, spokesman of the Cambodian Council of Ministers Phay Siphan told reporters that "Thaksin actually didn't have any presence in our country."

For anything that he did, Thaksin could observe his own country's law and the international law, he added.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya once told reporters that the bilateral ties between Thailand and Cambodia could be affected adversely, if the ousted former premier were allowed to launch political attacks from Cambodia.

Days of demonstrations by the opposition force have led to serious instability in Thailand. The Thai criminal court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for 14 protest leaders including ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Besides, Cambodia and Thailand still have decades-old border disputes to settle. However, two heavy armed clashes between both troops in early April just have aggravated the tension at the border area.

[baht&sold]

Personally, I believe Mr Thaksin was likely 'hiding' in Cambodia over the past few days under the prtotective wing of close wannabe golf n' casino buddy Hun Sen. Mr Thaksin wouldn't need any passport there, being rich and having some 'mutual' interests between 'Big T & H' are probably qualification enough.

Afterall, Mr Thaksin's colleague and ex TRT coalition MP Vatana Asavahame is also on the run from a corruption ruling and has been 'holed up' at his Cambodia casino complex since fleeing charges... (Cambo police just can't seem to find him;)

Also, bit of a mystery (to some) why Cambodian troops suddenly opened fire (first) on Thai troops apparently out of the blue last week. Of course this required a large contigent of the Thai Army to re-postion to the Cambodia border (conveniently far away from Bangkok ahead of red sh*t-storm;)

Was/is he there? Who knows...

[Camelot]

Is Tonga still in the passport-selling business? If so, $20,000 or so would provide Thaksin with a new base in Nuku'alofa. It's well out of the way but the shopping isn't so hot. Better climate than Dubai, though.

[helvetian]

Wasn't he allegedly seen at the Cambodian PM's residence? Something about that was in the news.

I wonder if Abhisit would invade Cambodia just to get Thaksin.

[webfact]

Wasn't he allegedly seen at the Cambodian PM's residence? Something about that was in the news.

I wonder if Abhisit would invade Cambodia just to get Thaksin.

Jeez, what a guess... makes me speechless. How long have you been around here in Thailand?

/edit spelling

Edited April 15, 2009 by webfact

[Apecks]

<br />Well, he certainly has 1 or 2 more passports. I don't think he was so stupid and has traveled into Dubai (assuming he is there) on his Thai passport?<br />So, as far as I understand someone must leave the country with the passport entered. Is that now the moment where Interpol will step in?<br />Has there any international arrest warrant been issued?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Thai's need a visa to visit the UAE!

[baht&sold]

Is Tonga still in the passport-selling business? If so, $20,000 or so would provide Thaksin with a new base in Nuku'alofa. It's well out of the way but the shopping isn't so hot. Better climate than Dubai, though.

Khmer 'rouge' land a more suitable fit and much closer to direct 'party-faithful' red co-leaders Jatuporn & Jakrapob's 'underground movement'.

Puea Thai MP and red co-leader Jatuporn having invoked 'Parliamentary privilege' to avoid arrest today and free himself up to continue to serve in his square-faced master's battle for 'his' democracy... or is it simply a fight to thaw Mr Thaksin's 76 billion frozen baht (approx 2.2 Billion USD) and a chance for the square-face Chavez to return and double-up (?) Better hurry, the confiscation case comes up in just a few weeks (but of course this timing has nothing whatsoever to do with the sudden heightened red sh*t storm...

Either way, one won't find the answers on BBC at least, that much is for certain. Expect more 'noise' to come from red co-leaders 'dynamic-duo' Jatuporn & Jakrapob via Mr Thaksin's now clearly barking-mad orders down the red/rouge phone...

[MHM]

Too much Bogeyman stuff. Things are moving. The net is closing. Lets see what his next broadcast says. Wails of persecution no doubt, but he's lost Big Time. There's a new will in Government to end all this and for once they have a position of strength. Don't fear the Bogeyman, he's just a whisp of air.

[helvetian]

Is that now the moment where Interpol will step in?

Has there any international arrest warrant been issued?

I don't think Interpol want to make a joke out of themselves and join Thailand's circus.

Highly unlikely that they will step in.

Edited April 15, 2009 by helvetian

[LuckyFive8888]

not a real problem for thaksin. now he can fulfill his dream to buy a small in the carribean.

[mhatami]

This is the best news I've heard in a long time. Doomed to roam the world on a Nicaraguan passport!! WELL DONE ABHISIT!!

But it would be a big mistake to extradite him back to Thailand. Even if he did spend time in (a luxury) jail, he would soon be free to wreak havoc and spiteful vengeance and tear this country apart on his release.

Would be better to ban him forever.

or shut him up -permanently

He is a cowered and he will use everyone else to fight for him.

Anyways he will do all he can to stop Thai government to bring him back. And I don’t think Thai government is planning to put him in a luxury jail

But I think is better to let him stay out and just use his money in Thailand it is all about money anyways

[rhino533]

What is the penalty for Treason - if found guilty?

The Max penalty for treason in Thailand is "Death"

[mc2]

Plenty of rich people who committed far worse crimes than Thaksin are sitting back on a luxury boat or some beach chair at a resort or some other place in some country in the world.... enjoying life.

If he wanted to retire in luxury, he could most certainly do it, as long as he kept things quiet there isnt much anyone could do.

[Basil B]

A very good move to revoke Thaksin's passport.

Even though he has still has his passport every country in the word now knows it is now not a valid document, some countries like China or a third world country may give him political asylum, a small third world country may be happy to to be swimming in his billions or China that just seems to be interested in causing trouble in other countries just to deflect it own problems.

6 months ago I thought that if he were to make some big contribution to trust that would pay back much of the money he embezzled by means of building schools, Hospitals, etc, he might have got a royal pardon on condition that he retired from politics and business.

Now I feel he must be silenced for the good of Thailand, Britain was right to make him "persona non grata" after using the UK as a platform to make his first televised speech as a self exiled outlaw.