Loopholes in law cloud the Thaksin passport saga

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Loopholes in law cloud the Thaksin passport saga

Published: 20/12/2011 at 04:59 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Democrat Party's revelation that Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul reissued an ordinary passport to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in October has fortified critics' belief in this being a single-agenda government.

Thaksin: Debate over documentation

Mr Surapong initially prevaricated when he was asked to confirm the news. Later he admitted he ordered Foreign Ministry officials to reissue the passport several weeks earlier.

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Writer: Thanida Tansubhapol & Manop Thip-Osod

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biton
Post : 3
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Discussion 19 : 20/12/2011 at 07:55 PM19
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What is all the fuss about? I think we all know that Thaksin will return some day, dont we? And isnt it better, even for his opponents, that he is back in the country and monitored by them and the media than holding sway over Thailand from abroad?
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aussie
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Discussion 18 : 20/12/2011 at 06:27 PM18
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Dis#15 "If Taksin has a passport or not is of no importance at all to the working man or woman on the street. Thailand has more important things to do than worry about a Taksin passport."

Go Tell That To PM Clone !
Why and How Is That A Priority , When Flood Victims Got Substandard Relief Effort and Recovery , Told To Help Yourself , Oh And An Apology ?
Disgraceful !
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englishjon
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Discussion 17 : 20/12/2011 at 05:36 PM17
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I'm continually amazed at how red-shirts believe that bringing TS back will bring about national reconciliation.

When it happens, large-scale corruption will follow in it's wake and the revenge will start on anybody who displeased the great man. The thugs and greedy lackeys who got him back will be richly rewarded with positions of power.

Get your heads out of the sand.

There is much more at stake here than a simple passport.
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dao
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Discussion 16 : 20/12/2011 at 02:04 PM16
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Not really complicated .People go to court then they go home or jail .End if story .When people especially politicians are made to follow the law and police are made to enforce the law then everything becomes very black and white .Stop weaseling around the law and take it on the chin like a man .
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k.betts
Post : 5
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Discussion 15 : 20/12/2011 at 01:56 PM15
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It is unfortunate that Thailand has so little sense of politics and law.

In case no one noticed, the Pheu Thai party won the election, not the Democrat Party.

Europe and America have both figured out how to keep politics and law separate. Political fights are not the business of the courts, and the courts should stay out of politics. But this knowledge, well known in Europe and America, has not travelled the 10,000 miles to Bangkok.

If Taksin has a passport or not is of no importance at all to the working man or woman on the street. Thailand has more important things to do than worry about a Taksin passport.
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ianprince
Post : 523
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Discussion 14 : 20/12/2011 at 12:42 PM14
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Thaksin is a big bad wolf.

Now, with his new Thai passport, he can fly into many countries (22 I believe) without applying for a Visa.
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zulu
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Discussion 13 : 20/12/2011 at 11:50 AM13
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This endless "Thaksin on the Run" -soap feels like a Micky Mouse sequel with goofy actors but real money and real guns. Give me a commercial break... please!
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hillfarang
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Discussion 12 : 20/12/2011 at 10:34 AM12
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"The Democrat Party's revelation that Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul reissued an ordinary passport to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in October has fortified critics' belief in this being a single-agenda government."

What a prejudiced opening sentence in a 'news' article!

I would rather suggest as many others (tansri, subcoman, etc.) here note that it is the opposition that is obsessed! The single-agenda is to allow Thailand to return to a non-coup related democratic government!

TS was ousted illegally and is no doubt behind the strategy of return. The Dem's who benefited from his ouster and the military responsible are none too pleased. Fear would be a better adjective!
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smiles999
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Discussion 11 : 20/12/2011 at 10:25 AM11
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Hi, this is a classic case of two ministers sitting on the wall, and getting away with whimsical decisions, and justifying some written rules. The earlier FM failed to impress the international community the court rulings against Thaksin, and unilaterally revoked the passport, while the latter used the earlier unilateral decision as a precedent to issue back the passport. All this happening even under the ruling of the supreme court !!
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bangmodken
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Discussion 10 : 20/12/2011 at 09:54 AM10
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Mr. Surapong did not see that Thaksin had caused damage to the country ???
D3,Tansri : I agree...the Democrats are making fools of themselves,their remaining voters if there is any left AND the public.A government who has only the return of Thaksin on the agenda and an opposition who has only preventing the return of Thaksin on their agenda.Tough luck for ordinary Thais.
D2,drsmith : Definitely!
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