ID :
60277
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:40
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http://m.oananews.org//node/60277
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Thai FM probes Montenegro issuance of Thaksin passport
BANGKOK, May 12 (TNA) - Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya has ordered several Thai diplomatic missions to probe whether the Montenegran government has issued a passport to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a senior ministry official said on Tuesday.
Panich Vikitsreth, an assistant to Mr. Kasit, said the Thai embassies in Hungary, China and the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York have been asked to check whether reports that the Southeastern European country has issued a passport to Mr. Thaksin were accurate.
Thailand and Montenegro established diplomatic relations in late 2007, but neither country has as yet opened an embassy or consulate in the other country.
Currently, the Thai ambassador in Budapest is also accredited to represent Thailand in Montenegro.
Asked whether reports that Mr. Thaksin was a bidder for an island in that country were true, Mr. Panich said no investigation on the issue has been made for the time being and it is the right for a businessmen to buy it.
The ministry has earlier submitted extradition requests through diplomatic channels to the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua to facilitate the forced repatriation of Mr. Thaksin who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006.
Mr. Thaksin was convicted and given a two-year jail term after he was found guilty of involvement in a questionable Ratchadapisek land deal. He is now living in exile and reportedly spends most of his time in Dubai after his visa was rejected by the United Kingdom.
The former premier was accused of using Dubai as his base from where he allegedly encouraged unrest by his supporters -- active under the banner the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
He has denied these accusations but his Thai passport was revoked by Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry mid-April following the political turmoil and street violence caused by his supporters rallying under the UDD colours.
The former premier now reportedly holds a diplomatic passport issued by the Nicaraguan government. (TNA)
Panich Vikitsreth, an assistant to Mr. Kasit, said the Thai embassies in Hungary, China and the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York have been asked to check whether reports that the Southeastern European country has issued a passport to Mr. Thaksin were accurate.
Thailand and Montenegro established diplomatic relations in late 2007, but neither country has as yet opened an embassy or consulate in the other country.
Currently, the Thai ambassador in Budapest is also accredited to represent Thailand in Montenegro.
Asked whether reports that Mr. Thaksin was a bidder for an island in that country were true, Mr. Panich said no investigation on the issue has been made for the time being and it is the right for a businessmen to buy it.
The ministry has earlier submitted extradition requests through diplomatic channels to the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua to facilitate the forced repatriation of Mr. Thaksin who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006.
Mr. Thaksin was convicted and given a two-year jail term after he was found guilty of involvement in a questionable Ratchadapisek land deal. He is now living in exile and reportedly spends most of his time in Dubai after his visa was rejected by the United Kingdom.
The former premier was accused of using Dubai as his base from where he allegedly encouraged unrest by his supporters -- active under the banner the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
He has denied these accusations but his Thai passport was revoked by Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry mid-April following the political turmoil and street violence caused by his supporters rallying under the UDD colours.
The former premier now reportedly holds a diplomatic passport issued by the Nicaraguan government. (TNA)
