[Tlc] Thailand restores ousted PM Thaksin's diplomatic passport

[Michael Montesano]

Thailand restores ousted PM Thaksin's diplomatic passport
Posted: 25 February 2008 1302 hrs 

 	 	
 	 					

Thaksin Shinawatra
 	  	
 	 	

BANGKOK: Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been
given back his diplomatic passport, which was revoked after a bloodless
coup against him in 2006, the foreign minister said Monday. 

Noppadon Pattama said his ministry had returned the travel document more
than a week ago, and that a date for Thaksin's return from exile was
likely to be announced on Tuesday. 

The army-backed government installed after the coup pulled the
diplomatic passport, citing security risks in the wake of deadly
bombings on New Year's Eve in 2006. 

Noppadon was Thaksin's personal lawyer until allies of the fallen
premier swept back into power following a victory in an election in
December. He resigned as Thaksin's attorney after being appointed
foreign minister. 

Noppadon, however, said he had nothing to do with the ministry's
decision to restore the diplomatic passport. 

"They considered the laws and decided to reinstate the passport," he
told reporters. 

Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile since the coup, mainly in
Britain, where he owns the Manchester City football club. 

He has continued to jet around the globe on a normal passport, but his
new travel document will entitle him to more privileges with Thai
embassies overseas, courtesies normally extended to the kingdom's former
leaders. 

Thaksin has told a court in Bangkok that he will return in May to face
corruption charges brought against him by the military regime. 

Noppadon said that Thaksin would announce an exact date for his return
on Tuesday, but that the ex-premier planned to divide his time between
Thailand and Britain, so that he can take care of his football club. -
AFP/ac 

 

 	 	
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