ID :
55626
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 17:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/55626
The shortlink copeid
Thai government annuls ex-premier Thaksin's passport
BANGKOK, April 15 (TNA) - The Thai government has notified its missions around the world and the international community of its decision to revoke the passport of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tharit Charungwat said the annulment of Mr. Thaksin’s travel document is effective from April 12, 2009, following the action of his supporters, members of the red-clad United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) stormed the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) summit in Pattaya.
In revoking the passport, the Government cited the legal provision of the Passport Act of 2005 which states that a passport can be revoked “if it is deemed that the individual if permitted to remain abroad may cause damage to Thailand or others.”
Mr. Thaksin has no choice now but to return to Thailand, unless he uses passports of other countries he claims to hold.
When this government came to power four months ago, it began the legal process of revoking Mr. Thaksin’s Thai passport but there was no decision as authorities concerned that revoking the passport may violate his freedom of movement.
However, Mr Thaksin was among the dozen leaders of the UDD protesters to have been issued arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for their roles in inciting the riots.
A foreign ministry official explained that without a passport, if Mr. Thaksin wishes to return to Thailand, he can apply for a temporary travel document called “certificate of identity,” which any Thai mission abroad can issue. (TNA).
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tharit Charungwat said the annulment of Mr. Thaksin’s travel document is effective from April 12, 2009, following the action of his supporters, members of the red-clad United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) stormed the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) summit in Pattaya.
In revoking the passport, the Government cited the legal provision of the Passport Act of 2005 which states that a passport can be revoked “if it is deemed that the individual if permitted to remain abroad may cause damage to Thailand or others.”
Mr. Thaksin has no choice now but to return to Thailand, unless he uses passports of other countries he claims to hold.
When this government came to power four months ago, it began the legal process of revoking Mr. Thaksin’s Thai passport but there was no decision as authorities concerned that revoking the passport may violate his freedom of movement.
However, Mr Thaksin was among the dozen leaders of the UDD protesters to have been issued arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for their roles in inciting the riots.
A foreign ministry official explained that without a passport, if Mr. Thaksin wishes to return to Thailand, he can apply for a temporary travel document called “certificate of identity,” which any Thai mission abroad can issue. (TNA).
