Bangkok post, December 16, 2011
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has admitted that has overturned an order issued by the Abhisit Vejjajiva government revoking the passport of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mr Surapong said he had ordered the lifting of the revocation after the Consular Affairs Department sent a letter to him through the permanent secretary advising that Thaksin had applied with the Thai ambassador to Abu Dhabi for an ordinary passport.
The Consular Affairs Department sought his advice because Thaksin's passport had been revoked on April 12 by then foreign minister Kasit Piromya under item 23 (7) of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's regulations.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Mr Surapong said he and the government were of the opinion that Thaksin's presence in a foreign country had not caused any damage to the country or any other countries.
He, therefore, had issued an order countermanding Mr Kasit's revocation order.
It is now the matter for the Consular Affairs Department to consider Thaksin's request for a passport, Mr Surapong said.
"I will no longer give any interviews on this matter since it would be a waste of time. I have the duty to promote international relations. I have to make preparations for the prime minister [Yingluck Shinawatra] to visit India and Burma," he said.
Mr Surapong dared the opposition to scrutinise him in parliament if it was of the opinion that what he had done was in violation of the law.
Yesterday, Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut claimed that a new Thai passport had already been handed to the fugitive former premier.
Mr Chavanond said he had received an email message from a Foreign Ministry official who wrote under the pseudonym ''Buakaew Saiphanmai'' (new blood of the ministry). The message said the ministry had issued a passport to Thaksin on Oct 31.
On Dec 2, Foreign Minister Surapong said his ministry would issue a passport for Thaksin very soon.
Mr Surapong said the passport would be reissued to Thaksin as "a New Year's gift".
Prime Minister Yingluck said she had nothing at all to do with the move to reissue a Thai passport for her elder brother Thaksin.
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