ID :
48020
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 20:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/48020
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Thailand to ask China to extradite Thaksin
BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday his government would request the authorities of China's Hong Kong special administrative region to help extradite Thailand's convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to face prosecution in Bangkok.
"We will see if we know exactly where his whereabouts are, and with the country agreeing to the extradition process, we will push ahead'' with the extradition, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. ``It's important for Thais to be under the same law.''
The Thai consulate in Hong Kong is monitoring whether Mr. Thaksin will deliver a speech Monday as planned, and will report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that it can coordinate with the prosecution, said Mr. Abhisit.
Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong on Monday.
There are no special provisions regarding an extradition treaty Thailand made with Hong Kong and concerned Thai officials will have to put their best efforts to comply with Thai judicial procedures, Mr. Abhisit said.
Mr. Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison last October after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders found him guilty of breaching the National Counter Corruption Act by aiding his then-wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra win a bid for a tract of state-owned land on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok in 2003.
The former prime minister is also facing other corruption charges and the cases are proceeding in the courts. (TNA)
"We will see if we know exactly where his whereabouts are, and with the country agreeing to the extradition process, we will push ahead'' with the extradition, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. ``It's important for Thais to be under the same law.''
The Thai consulate in Hong Kong is monitoring whether Mr. Thaksin will deliver a speech Monday as planned, and will report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that it can coordinate with the prosecution, said Mr. Abhisit.
Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong on Monday.
There are no special provisions regarding an extradition treaty Thailand made with Hong Kong and concerned Thai officials will have to put their best efforts to comply with Thai judicial procedures, Mr. Abhisit said.
Mr. Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison last October after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders found him guilty of breaching the National Counter Corruption Act by aiding his then-wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra win a bid for a tract of state-owned land on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok in 2003.
The former prime minister is also facing other corruption charges and the cases are proceeding in the courts. (TNA)
