Thai FM admits to have lift passport ban on Thaksin

BANGKOK, December 16 (TNA) - Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul announced on Friday that he had already lifted a Thai passport ban on exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ministry's Department of Consular Affairs would issue a new Thai passport for Thaksin. Surapong said that Thaksin deserved a Thai passport because he did not cause any damage to Thailand or other countries during his overseas stay; so, he did not violate Clause 23 (7) of the passport issuance regulation of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Surapong told reporters that the Department of Consular Affairs informed that Thaksin had filed a request for a Thai passport at the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The previous Democrat Party-led government cancelled Thaksin's Thai passport on April 12, 2009. Surapong said, however, he would not like to elaborate on the passport of Thaksin anymore, insisting if the opposition wanted to investigate the issue, he would be happy to discuss it in the Parliament, or if anyone wanted to file a lawsuit, he would not mind, as he had done the right thing in line with ministerial regulations. The foreign minister denied the opposition's accusation that he had already handed a new Thai passport to Thaksin in Dubai during his visit there from November 22-25, 2011. (TNA)