Democrats urge PM to take Ombudsman's advice on Thaksin passport

“The PM should demonstrate leadership by accepting the Ombudsman’s recommendation, thereby proving wrong those critics who say the government wants to sabotage independent agencies and push for the issuance of a new passport for her brother [Thaksin],’’ Ongart said. 

Ongart said Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul should hold himself above the problem and let Foreign Ministry officials handle the matter. 

The Ombudsman’s letter of recommendation to the Foreign Ministry stated that Thaksin sought a new passport on October 25, 2011 at the Royal Thai embassy in the United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders convicted him on corruption charges and sentenced him to two years in prison. The former PM was banned from leaving the country in 2008. 

The Foreign Ministry’s Department of Consular Affairs met and decided that according to ministerial regulation number 21, the department could exercise its judgement in regard to Thaksin’s request. 

The department also cited a policy issued by the Foreign Ministry that Thaksin should be given a new passport because his living abroad had not caused any damage to the country or foreign countries. The minister also cancelled the policy in regard to Thaksin’s passport issued by the Abhisit government. 

The Department of Consular Affairs issued a new passport, number U957441, on November 4 last year and sent it to Thaksin via the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi. 

The Ombudsman’s letter stated that the Supreme Court had issued four arrest warrants for Thaksin since September 2008 and that he was on the Foreign Ministry’s list of people banned from leaving the country. The fact that Thaksin had been sentenced to two years in jail was a significant factor depriving him of the right to have a passport according to ministerial directive number 21. 

The agency said it believed the Foreign Ministry ’s decision to grant a new passport to Thaksin contravened ministerial regulations and suggested that it review the decision and check with relevant agencies on Thaksin’s records and status in regard to court cases. 

Surapong said he would have the Foreign Ministry permanent secretary and the Foreign Ministry respond to the Ombudsman’s suggestion. He insisted the decision to grant Thaksin a new passport was in line with regulations.