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143381
Thu, 09/23/2010 - 18:58
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http://m.oananews.org//node/143381
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Saudi envoy denies police promotion related to visa issuance
BANGKOK, Sept 23 - A Saudi diplomat on Thursday stood firm that the recent impasse between Thailand and his country over the promotion of a top Thai police officer was unrelated to the Saudi embassy's handling of visa applications for Thai-Muslim pilgrims intending to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri commented while attending a meeting of the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights at Parliament House.
His statement was made in light of conflicting reports on the possible closing of the Saudi embassy in Bangkok, resulting in the inability to issue visas for Thai Muslim pilgrims, as a retaliation against the recent promotion of Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom to the position of assistant national police chief.
Gen Somkid was allegedly involved in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok two decades ago. The general finally announced his decision not to accept the post to cool down tensions between Thailand and the Gulf state.
The Saudi diplomat told the House committee that the media and some parties recently tried to relate the delay in visa issuances to the Saudi dissatisfaction over Gen Somkid's promotion, but he emphasised that the issues are completely unrelated.
The Saudi charge’ stressed the embassy's obligations in issuing visas to the Thai-Muslim pilgrims who wish to attend the hajj in Mecca.
Embassy officials continued working today to issue visas to about 1,000 additional Thai-Muslim applicants, although it is the Saudi national day and a holiday.
Thai Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat said earlier that the quota for Thai-Muslim pilgrims to Mecca this year was around 13,000 persons and that the Saudi embassy could issue about 1,000 visas daily. The first batch of 392 applicants were granted visas on Tuesday and the first group of pilgrims is scheduled to leave Thailand Oct 8.
In an official statement released Thursday, the embassy said Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that bilateral relations were not involved in the visa approval process. Saudi embassies and consulates across the world are duty-bound to issue visas to Muslim pilgrims to facilitate them until they arrive in Mecca.
The Saudi diplomat said he had emphasised to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign minister Kasit Piromya that the Saudi embassy opens its door to visa applicants just as it did every year.
This year, 13,000 Thai-Muslims anticipate getting visas, he said, adding that he always accompanied the first batch of Thai pilgrims leaving Hat Yai for Saudi Arabia. (MCOT online news)
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri commented while attending a meeting of the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights at Parliament House.
His statement was made in light of conflicting reports on the possible closing of the Saudi embassy in Bangkok, resulting in the inability to issue visas for Thai Muslim pilgrims, as a retaliation against the recent promotion of Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom to the position of assistant national police chief.
Gen Somkid was allegedly involved in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok two decades ago. The general finally announced his decision not to accept the post to cool down tensions between Thailand and the Gulf state.
The Saudi diplomat told the House committee that the media and some parties recently tried to relate the delay in visa issuances to the Saudi dissatisfaction over Gen Somkid's promotion, but he emphasised that the issues are completely unrelated.
The Saudi charge’ stressed the embassy's obligations in issuing visas to the Thai-Muslim pilgrims who wish to attend the hajj in Mecca.
Embassy officials continued working today to issue visas to about 1,000 additional Thai-Muslim applicants, although it is the Saudi national day and a holiday.
Thai Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat said earlier that the quota for Thai-Muslim pilgrims to Mecca this year was around 13,000 persons and that the Saudi embassy could issue about 1,000 visas daily. The first batch of 392 applicants were granted visas on Tuesday and the first group of pilgrims is scheduled to leave Thailand Oct 8.
In an official statement released Thursday, the embassy said Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that bilateral relations were not involved in the visa approval process. Saudi embassies and consulates across the world are duty-bound to issue visas to Muslim pilgrims to facilitate them until they arrive in Mecca.
The Saudi diplomat said he had emphasised to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign minister Kasit Piromya that the Saudi embassy opens its door to visa applicants just as it did every year.
This year, 13,000 Thai-Muslims anticipate getting visas, he said, adding that he always accompanied the first batch of Thai pilgrims leaving Hat Yai for Saudi Arabia. (MCOT online news)
