Former Thailand PM Thaksin Speaks Out, Has Passports Cancelled
By Chutima Sidasathian Wednesday, May 27, 2015
PHUKET: Two passports issued to former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have been cancelled because he spoke to the media about Thai politics, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
The passports - U957441 and Z530117 - were cancelled after the Democrats took power in Thailand but restored under the administration of Khun Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
According to the Bangkok Post in a report earlier this week, Thaksin gave interviews on the sidelines of a conference in Korea that accused the Privy Council and the palace of plotting the overthrow of his sister's government on May 22 last year by using protesters led by Suthep Thaugsuban of the People's Democratic Reform Committee and of his own administtation in 2006.
A 1.32-minute video clip of the interview was later posted on Stop Fake Thailand, a Facebook page. Khun Thaksin could face lese majeste charges.
Former Post editor Veera Prateechaikul wrote; ''Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha responded to Thaksin's criticism by challenging him to return home 'if he believes that he is innocent - and if he doesn't, that means he is guilty''.
Khun Thaksin faces arrest on a conviction for corruption if he ever returns to Thailand.
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Comments
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He can always use his Ugandan or Montenegrin passport, or whatever other passport he found in his cornflakes.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
May 27, 2015 16:08
Good news. Actually if the government of the host country where Dr. is now, is cooperative cancellation of passport on which he arrived is enough to deport him, however the question is to which country.
Posted by
Sue
on
May 27, 2015 17:34
Now I know that many people are not fans of Thaskin but this is a classic case of how a dictator reacts when they don't like what the opposition has to say.
This only enforces the idea that Prayut is not prepared to err on a diplomatic solution or sit down and discuss opposing views. A classic dictator.
Posted by
Graham
on
May 27, 2015 17:36
Editor Comment:
There is nothing Thaksin has that Thailand needs.
Thailand law in geberal prohibits dual or multiple citizenship except very rare circumstances, under which Dr. doesn't fall.
Hence if the government will establish proof that Dr. voluntary acquired foreign citizenship ,then he can be stripped off Thai citizenship immediately.
Posted by
Sue
on
May 27, 2015 17:38
I'm no fan of Thaksin but to claim he is guilty unless he returns to a country ruled by a military dictator openly on a mission to destroy him and his influence in Thailand ?
Yeah, sure.
Posted by
Herbert
on
May 27, 2015 17:40
'He can always return home if he believes that he is innocent - and if he doesn't, that means he is guilty''.
Kafkaesque logic at the best of times. Again, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't... BTW I am not a fan of Taxin but I do have a partiality to logical and clear thinking.
Posted by
Sam Wilko
on
May 27, 2015 18:14
SuePW,
I'm not so sure dual citizenship is that rare. I am very familiar with one such person so I'd better hide my identity just in case
Posted by
Mow
on
May 27, 2015 18:36
(moderated)
Posted by
Capealava
on
May 27, 2015 19:06
Editor Comment:
You clearly have no understanding of the laws of Thailand and will not be published again unless you wise up, Capeavela.
Dear Mow,
the brief of regulation:
"DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exceptions:
Child born abroad to Thai parents, who obtains the citizenship of the foreign country of birth, may retain dual citizenship until reaching the age of majority (18). At this point, person must choose which citizenship to retain.
A Thai woman who marries a foreign national and acquires her husband's citizenship has technically lost her Thai citizenship. Should the marriage end in death or divorce, the Thai national woman could regain her Thai citizenship. This is an unofficial dual citizenship designed to protect female Thai nationals.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:
INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Thai citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship. When there exist circumstances suitable for maintaining the security or interests of the State, the government is empowered to revoke Thai nationality of a person who had acquired Thai nationality through naturalization."
The Section of Nationality Act B.E. 2508
"Section 22. A person of Thai nationality who bas been naturalised as an alien, or who has renounced Thai nationality, or whose Thai nationality has"
This definitely applies to Dr.
But there are many exceptions, e.g. to spouses when they acquire nationality of foreign spouse, kids etc.,that may be relevant in your case (but certainly not in the case of Dr. ...) so better refer to the full text of the Act:
http://goo.gl/fYdW9M
Posted by
Sue
on
May 27, 2015 19:51
Editor Comment:
Quality research there, Sue.
Dual citizenship is allowed only by birth, not by naturalization, unless of course you happen to be a billionaire.
When he was CONVICTED of corruption Thaksins sentence included banning him from having ANY dealings in Thai politics. So cancelling his passports is the least that should happen.
Posted by
CaptainJack
on
May 27, 2015 20:01
Sue,
That appears to explain my current situation exactly. I knew if prompted, you would research and come up with the right answers.
I somehow feel quiet special now as it probably the only thing I ( or a close relative) have (has) that Thaksin doesn't.
Posted by
MoW
on
May 27, 2015 20:31
"Former Post editor Veera Prateechaikul"
Yes that's Logic for you.
Snowden would also get the same impartial trial in America as well...
Posted by
Tbs
on
May 27, 2015 20:31
Editor Comment:
You are comparing Snowden and Thaksin?
Boy, you have lost all ability to tell right from wrong, Tbs.
Personally I don't understand why a convicted felon on the lam had these passports. I understand his sister had a diplomatic passport issued to him but that was a ridiculous action on her part. The General should have cancelled them the moment he came to power.
Posted by
Tuna
on
May 28, 2015 02:25
Sue, if you think the South Koreans or any other developed nation would deport the former PM, then you are quite foolish. He will be allowed to leave, unmolested at a time of his choosing. In case you forgot, the developed world has classified Mr. Thaksin's loss of a passport as due to a "political" event, rather than due to a criminal event. This allows him to obtain various visa waivers or special travel documents to enter various countries should the need arise. Nothing unusual about it either. There are hundreds of former political officials from around the world who are treated the same.
Posted by
Ryan
on
May 28, 2015 06:51
Thaksin was elected as prime minister by the people then over thrown by a military coup, the country prospered under his leadership, it isn't now, what he had to say might just be true?, shouldn't the media publicize fact not their personal belief?
Posted by
coxo
on
May 28, 2015 07:08
Editor Comment:
Corruption flourished Marcos-style under Thaksin's rule, then the appalling Amnesty Bill forced the hand of democracy lovers to take to the streets.
Ed, the rich elite wanting power or democracy seekers, I know the answer and I'm sure you do also, the closet thing they had to democracy is now gone and we are in the midst of old Burma style leadership, corruption is rife it is now different pockets being filled, a power shift only, the international community knows this regardless of what Phuketwan would like to believe.
Posted by
coxo
on
May 28, 2015 09:05
Editor Comment:
I think you know all the answers, coxo, but I'd prefer to keep an open mind and not dwell on the past. Change is happening and mostly it's better than being part of ''the family business.''
Thaksin may be a lot of things but he opened up a can of worms from the point of view of the Bangkok elite, namely that the poor people for the first time understood that their vote count.
Trying hard as they do with the new constitution they still may find it hard to put the lid back on.
Posted by
Remarkable
on
May 28, 2015 13:24
Ryan,
I am sure this created pre-requesites to extradite Thaksin.
However I am not quite sure how well technically it will be implanted , it depends on diplomatic skills of Thai government.
What special travel documents you talking about?
1) a kind of emergency passport - but it shoukd by issued by Thai embassy
2) asylum seeker temporary document of refugee special passport - first, to apply for asylum, this should be done at the border , not when in the country.
Where did you got that global powers like US, the EU recently simpatise Thaksin? I don't know about S.Korea itself, but I'm sure if US will politely ask it to cooperate with Thailand government ,they will do.
Rhetorics about military coup is mostly rhetorics , everyone understands well the state of corruption etc., but, yes, Western powers should keep their face by publicly promoting certain values interpreted Western way, but everyone agree that corruption etc. should be rooted out.
Thaksin was sacked almost 10yrs ago, and he simply freed pending criminal court verdict much later , not much political component in this situation.
If Thaisin will manage somehow to use his other passports for travel, it ease burden of proof for Thai government to apply Sec.22 of the Nationality Act to renounce his Thai citizenship - I am sure it is within the government's calculation, and probably they favor such outcome more than extradition.
I put 50/50 chances that Thaksin will be extradited.
Let's see what will happen.
Posted by
Sue
on
May 28, 2015 14:19
Thaksin's chance of extradition is 0%, nil, nought or never happening.
Posted by
Mow
on
May 28, 2015 16:07
Remarkable,
It may also just be coincidental but Thakins period of being PM was also the period of affordable and expanding social media which allowed many people to access information regarding events that were occurring outside their local area.
Posted by
MoW
on
May 28, 2015 16:22
Hi Sue, The sentiments you use concerning Thaksin are very strong, in fact they imply you have had personal dealings with him. I hope you can share them with us.
Posted by
seht1912
on
May 28, 2015 18:21
Dual nationality or dual citizenship, are both the same thing?
I think there is no 'global ruling' in this.
For example, people from Morocco, by morocco law always keep the morocco nationality. Many people from Morocco live in European countries with 2 nationalities. Morocco Children born in a European country get the nationality of that country but also the morocco nationality. I am not sure, but think it is the same with Turkey. Turkey's children living in Germany, Holland get a call of the Turkish Government when they reach Army National service age, to go back to Turkey to serve in the army. ( also dual nationality/citizenship)
I guess Sue knows things more exact.
Posted by
Kurt
on
June 1, 2015 10:18
Editor Comment:
In Australia, the Cabinet has of late been discussing not just whether it's possible to revoke a passport on the grounds of criminal action but whether an elected politician can do so on the grounds of suspicion. This is what Prime Minister (''Nope, nope, nope'') Abbott wants.
Re dual citizenship research by Sue:
Section 7. The following persons acquire Thai nationality by birth:
(1) A person born of a father or a mother of Thai nationality, whether within or outside the Thai Kingdom;
Section 14.
A person of Thai nationality (...) is required, if he desires to retain his other nationality, to make a declaration of his intention to renounce his Thai nationality within one year after his attaining the age of 20 years.
If no such declarration is made, for the purpose of Thai Law, that person is Thai and not alien. Hence can retain the Thai citizenship whether or not having renounced the alien citizenship.
Section 15.
(...) a person who has Thai nationality and other nationality, shall, if he desires to renounce Thai nationality, file an application with the competent official
Which may or may not be granted. There are no requirement to renounce the Thai nationality here.
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/1415/21483-Frequently-Asked-Questions-(FAQs).html
Can I apply for a Thai e-Passport if I am already holding a foreign Passport?
-Yes, if you are a Thai national, you may apply for a Thai e-Passport.
Hence dual citizenship is recognized.
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Not promoting Taxin here, Thaksin is Thai born in Thailand by Thai parents.
Section 15. Except in the case under Section 14, a person who has Thai nationality and other nationality, or who acquires Thai nationality by naturalization shall, if he desires to renounce Thai nationality, file an application with the competent official according to such form and in the manner prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.
If he desires, Taxin has to be the active Party here. No option for the State to "desire" on his behalf.
Section 22. A person of Thai nationality whose Thai nationality has been revoked
First part valid for naturalized persons, pending the Thai version of the Law (only Thai version valid)describing which way that naturalization is ment to go (from alien to Thai or from Thai to alien), there might be an option here.
Also need to go deeper into the background for the rule as (I would belive) a Thai is a Thai and can never be deemed to be an alien without concent (inalienable fundamental birthright).
Oddgeir
Posted by
Oddgeir
on
November 14, 2015 00:54
Australians are allowed dual nationality
A lot of Australian citizens are immigrants and have dual nationality especially from British commonwealth countries, a Australian citizen cannot be deported to their former home country for criminal activity, a Australian resident who has not become a citizen can be deported for criminal activity
If deported re entry can be refused for a period of time or permanently, for criminal activity permanently
Thaksin was allowed to enter Australia I do not know if he still can
Most people with dual nationality use the passport of the country they usually reside in
Posted by
peter allen
on
November 14, 2015 08:41
Editor Comment:
Did Thaksin enter Australia after his conviction, peter?
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He can always use his Ugandan or Montenegrin passport, or whatever other passport he found in his cornflakes.
Posted by Arun Muruga on May 27, 2015 16:08