Political Asylum for Thaksin?

[Loburt]

This will ultimately be a contest between those PPP pollies who wish to 'pardon' Thaksin and the judicial authorities hopefully doing their job to ensure he answers to the allegations amde against him and complies with courts orders.

Not just the judicial authorities. Many other forces would line up against this. The rumblings about granting Thaksin an "amnesty" are extremely disturbing.

My feeling is that if the PPP were to move ahead with such a blatant attempt to wipe the legal slate clean on Thaksin, then we could end up with bloodshed, which could lead to another coup.

Someone 'might' be able to grant him an amnesty or pardon a few years down the line - depending upon circumstances - but not now.

[Andy_bkk]

Why England?

I think this article pretty much sums it up:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-big-question-why-do-so-many-foreign-billionaires-want-to-make-their-home-in-britain-892822.html

Here is a little excerpt :roll: :

Why do so many Russian oligarchs choose to live in Britain?

Our immigration laws certainly benefit the rich. Other oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, have also used their wealth to establish themselves in this country.

Any non EU-citizen who has a million pounds and wants to live in the UK can apply for a three-year investor's visa. All the businessman has to show is that they have £1m invested in a business, government bonds or another secure asset that benefits the British economy. There are similar immigration schemes for foreign business people with just £250,000 to invest in a UK company which employs at least two UK nationals.

These visas can be extended for another two years after which the visitor can apply for permanent residence. For all those without this kind of financial wherewithal, the choice is either to apply for a points-based worker's visa or a work permit. Again, after five years it is open to the non-UK national to apply for residency. However, the Home Office does make some effort to investigate the origins of the investment so that the UK can be sure that is the money is not proceeds of crime or dodgy business deals.

[stegee]

However, the Home Office does make some effort to investigate the origins of the investment so that the UK can be sure that is the money is not proceeds of crime or dodgy business deals.

some..... but not much!!

:wink:

[PJack]

there was a letter in the Postbag the other day....

it said Martha Stewart was denied a visa to UK because she is a convicted criminal, but Pojaman was allowed entry the other day. So why is it that a convicted criminal who served her time in prison and paid her fines (her debt to society), etc. is denied a visa while our beloved Pojaman who is also a convicted criminal is allowed entry?

[Loburt]

Because Martha Stewart's husband doesn't own a Premier League Football team, and then there's that little matter of hypocrisy.

[Chatty]

I understand about "British Way" now...

and if I wait for Thailand nominee gov. and British gov. to do bla bla bla... it takes forever I guess.

So the next questions are...

1. What's the opinion of English people, you have some out law (such as Khunying Pojaman) in your country?

2. If Thai people are around here and read this topic... what do you think... if Thaksin and his family live in England forever?

[English_Bob]

I understand about "British Way" now...

and if I wait for Thailand nominee gov. and British gov. to do bla bla bla... it takes forever I guess.

So the next questions are...

1. What's the opinion of English people, you have some out law (such as Khunying Pojaman) in your country?

2. If Thai people are around here and read this topic... what do you think... if Thaksin and his family live in England forever?

Potjaman is guilty of tax evasion - which is a serious crime in UK and would be sufficient grounds to have her sent back to Thailand.

However, ask any English person over 30 about the General Pinochet saga - the guy was a Chilean war criminal who visited UK several times for medical treatment and was never arrested.

Thaksin may claim political asylum... Hmmm I wonder if the UN might have some input... They called Thaksin a 'human rights violator of the worst kind.'

Thaksin also pissed them off with his "The UN is not our father." quote when he was denying UN observers entry to verify a Thai election.

In answer to your question Bcool... I (as an Englishman) will be EXTREMELY disappointed in my government if they allow him to stay... and Thai people should be VERY disappointed their government allowed him to leave.

By the way, all of Thaksin's children went to the airport to see them off to the China Olympics and wept copiously at the airport.

The children then left for UK with 134 kilos of luggage...

Hmmm I wonder what conclusion Sherlock Holmes would have come to...

[scotne1]

there was a letter in the Postbag the other day....

it said Martha Stewart was denied a visa to UK because she is a convicted criminal, but Pojaman was allowed entry the other day. So why is it that a convicted criminal who served her time in prison and paid her fines (her debt to society), etc. is denied a visa while our beloved Pojaman who is also a convicted criminal is allowed entry?

Yeah no Martha Stewart, lol she is a dangerous one....good thing they let Mike Tyson in

[zeusbheld]

there was a letter in the Postbag the other day....

it said Martha Stewart was denied a visa to UK because she is a convicted criminal, but Pojaman was allowed entry the other day. So why is it that a convicted criminal who served her time in prison and paid her fines (her debt to society), etc. is denied a visa while our beloved Pojaman who is also a convicted criminal is allowed entry?

Yeah no Martha Stewart, lol she is a dangerous one....good thing they let Mike Tyson in

do YOU want to be the immigration official to say to him

"no Mr. Tyson. we're sorry but we can't let you through."

[Loburt]

Sadly, the papers are now reporting that, except for the Ratchada land case, none of the other cases against Thaksin can proceed unless he shows up in court for the first hearing.

He already made an appearance in the land case, so that one can go forward.

[English_Bob]

Sadly, the papers are now reporting that, except for the Ratchada land case, none of the other cases against Thaksin can proceed unless he shows up in court for the first hearing.

He already made an appearance in the land case, so that one can go forward.

Didn't Thailand just make a dodgy deal for some very rough diesel from the Russians?

Maybe someone should ask Moscow for one of those 'specially-tipped' umbrellas... we already know the UK allow them through customs.

Can anyone envisage Thaksin keeping his nose clean and abiding by the rules?

I'd advise the UK Inland Revenue to start checking his paperwork VERY carefully - pretty soon SOMETHING will show up. Assholes like that can't keep their dirty little fingers out of the cookie jar.

Maybe then he will find out what justice is REALLY like. The UK government don't mind allowing thieves in the country as long as they're stealing from someone else... but beware anyone who tries to keep cash from them!

[PJack]

there was a letter in the Postbag the other day....

it said Martha Stewart was denied a visa to UK because she is a convicted criminal, but Pojaman was allowed entry the other day. So why is it that a convicted criminal who served her time in prison and paid her fines (her debt to society), etc. is denied a visa while our beloved Pojaman who is also a convicted criminal is allowed entry?

t to an old friend of mine in NYC. He is one of the Morvillos at Morvillo, Abramson.... which is the law firm that defended Martha Stewart. He thought it was hilarious.

[luckyphil247]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

[zeusbheld]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

[Loburt]

I see that someone tried to burn down the house of one of the chief investigators in Thaksin's cases.

And that the head of the investigative committee said they had repeatedly been getting death threats.

[luckyphil247]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

I know , let me rephrase then ;

I think the UK has a respectable legal sysytem and worldwide they have a good reputation of being a fair and just nation .

I think they should deport Thaksin and Co , just to reinforce this perception .

[English_Bob]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

I know , let me rephrase then ;

I think the UK has a respectable legal sysytem and worldwide they have a good reputation of being a fair and just nation .

I think they should deport Thaksin and Co , just to reinforce this perception .

BUT..... Thailand's justice system is known to be unfair and corrupt... in addition the groups set up to investigate Thaksin were set up by a military government that ousted a 'democratically elected' leader.

I want to be wrong, but I think UK will allow them to stay.

Remember George W Bush's statement to Thailand as he shook Samak's hand...? "Thailand is to be congratulated for its return to democracy." That's the West's perception of Thai politics.

[Loburt]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

I know , let me rephrase then ;

I think the UK has a respectable legal sysytem and worldwide they have a good reputation of being a fair and just nation .

I think they should deport Thaksin and Co , just to reinforce this perception .

BUT..... Thailand's justice system is known to be unfair and corrupt... in addition the groups set up to investigate Thaksin were set up by a military government that ousted a 'democratically elected' leader.

I want to be wrong, but I think UK will allow them to stay.

Remember George W Bush's statement to Thailand as he shook Samak's hand...? "Thailand is to be congratulated for its return to democracy." That's the West's perception of Thai politics.

Thailand's justice system does have a reputation for being corrupt, and avoiding cases involving politicians or powerful people.

But that seems to have changed to some degree since a very important person told an audience of top judges that they should do their jobs, and decide what's right according to the law. He told them that no matter what their decisions would be, they would criticized, so they should do what they believe to be right.

Since then, my understanding is, the upper levels of the court system have been doing that. And, I've been told, they've resisted pressure from both sides in this long drawn out conflict.

After all, three lawyers representing an extremely powerful person were recently jailed for trying to bribe court officials. I can't recall anything like that happening before during my time here.

So far, I don't think any of the judicial decisions that have gone against the Thaksin camp - from the jailing of corrupt and incompetent Election Commissioners to the guilty verdict against Pojaman - have been blasted by the legal community as being at odds with the law and so obviously 'influenced.'

Legally, they've all been reasonably sound, even if some disagree with them.

The committee that investigated Thaksin was appointed by the military. But the people on the committee were all respected former judges, members of the counter corruption commission and the auditor general. They've all been in public service for decades, and as far as I know their records are clean.

And they've been getting death threats.

In any event, they can only forward cases to the public prosecutors (some of whom are sympathetic to Thaksin) or the courts.

And if the cases had no merit at all, it's unlikely the courts would accept them.

[English_Bob]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

I know , let me rephrase then ;

I think the UK has a respectable legal sysytem and worldwide they have a good reputation of being a fair and just nation .

I think they should deport Thaksin and Co , just to reinforce this perception .

BUT..... Thailand's justice system is known to be unfair and corrupt... in addition the groups set up to investigate Thaksin were set up by a military government that ousted a 'democratically elected' leader.

I want to be wrong, but I think UK will allow them to stay.

Remember George W Bush's statement to Thailand as he shook Samak's hand...? "Thailand is to be congratulated for its return to democracy." That's the West's perception of Thai politics.

Thailand's justice system does have a reputation for being corrupt, and avoiding cases involving politicians or powerful people.

But that seems to have changed to some degree since a very important person told an audience of top judges that they should do their jobs, and decide what's right according to the law. He told them that no matter what their decisions would be, they would criticized, so they should do what they believe to be right.

Since then, my understanding is, the upper levels of the court system have been doing that. And, I've been told, they've resisted pressure from both sides in this long drawn out conflict.

After all, three lawyers representing an extremely powerful person were recently jailed for trying to bribe court officials. I can't recall anything like that happening before during my time here.

So far, I don't think any of the judicial decisions that have gone against the Thaksin camp - from the jailing of corrupt and incompetent Election Commissioners to the guilty verdict against Pojaman - have been blasted by the legal community as being at odds with the law and so obviously 'influenced.'

Legally, they've all been reasonably sound, even if some disagree with them.

The committee that investigated Thaksin was appointed by the military. But the people on the committee were all respected former judges, members of the counter corruption commission and the auditor general. They've all been in public service for decades, and as far as I know their records are clean.

And they've been getting death threats.

In any event, they can only forward cases to the public prosecutors (some of whom are sympathetic to Thaksin) or the courts.

And if the cases had no merit at all, it's unlikely the courts would accept them.

Took Tong Na Khrap

I wonder how aware of this the UK government are... and how swayed they are by the prospect of losing a potential investor.

I'd like to hear if Thaksin's diplomatic passport has been revoked now - remember the one his toady Noppadom gave him as his first official action as Foreign Minister?

I read in the papers that Samak and the 'Gang of Four' told Thaksin that fleeing justice was the best option... good to know Thailand is in such moral hands.

And I see that the PPP minister from Samut Prakkarn feels that Thaksin deserves a pardon for the sake of national unity....

Deserves??? For what exactly? Running away?

National unity?? That's a sure-fire recipe for a civil war... I'd take up arms against Thaksin's cronies...

(oh wait... on Saturday? No Saturday's bad for me... I've got a prior appointment.. .but hope things go well for the rest of you guys.) :oops:

[zeusbheld]

If Thaksin and Co. aren't arrested and deported back to Thailand ; then the UK is more corrupt than Thailand .

i wouldn't go that far. the accessory shouldn't generally be considered more culpable than the murderer.

I know , let me rephrase then ;

I think the UK has a respectable legal sysytem and worldwide they have a good reputation of being a fair and just nation .

I think they should deport Thaksin and Co , just to reinforce this perception .

or betray that perception and be called out for the hypocritical, money-grubbing bozos that they are.

personally i think for the sake of manchester city FC toxin needs to be deported ASAP (and forced to selll the club at a very reasonable price to some rich corporate suck with a better civil rights record).

[SiamHotel]

ya... t33rak ja! 8)

-- http://www.thailandfriends.com/emmy_modeling

saysz....sss

[zeusbheld]

the hypocritical, money-grubbing bozos that they are.

HEY! What, ALL of us?

I SAY, steady on old boy,

alla the ones that are allowing Toxin back. home office i'd imagine?

[Chatty]

ya... t33rak ja! 8)

-- http://www.thailandfriends.com/emmy_modeling

saysz....sss

Yes she is so beautiful... hmmm but.... what's related here?

[SiamHotel]

Yes she is so beautiful

hahaha.... if u say xo

[SiamHotel]

but.... what's related here?

hehe... *who* said that an1way jing loer