Court to hear suit over Thaksin passports
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THE Administrative Court will on Wednesday hear a case filed by ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra against the Department of Consular Affairs’ director-general for cancelling his passports.
Thaksin sued the department chief and another official, accusing them of illegally cancelling his passports in May.
In the suit it is stated that the department cited an interview Thaksin had given that it said affected national security as a reason the passports were cancelled. Thaksin is being investigated for allegedly committing lese majeste, and allegedly violating articles 326 and 328 of the Criminal Code and article 14 (3) (5) of the Computer Act of 2007. The investigation was among other reasons given for cancelling the passports.
Due to these charges against Thaksin, the department used 2015 Foreign Ministry directives No 21(4) and No 23 (2) to cancel his passports.
In the suit it is stated that Thaksin appealed the decision to cancel the passports but the department upheld the cancellations under an order dated Sept 9.
The Administrative Court accepted the suit on Dec 8. Pheu Thai lawyer Wattana Tiangkul is Thaksin’s legal representative in the case.
