Thaksin UK Visa revoked

[mardhi]

There are reports in both the Bangkok Post and the Nation that The entry visa for both Thaksin and his wife have been revoked while they were outside the UK.

Seemingly the ploy used was that the visa circumstances had changed since the original application - which probably amounts to the little section where they ask if you have any criminal convictions - at the time of the original application, the answer would have been NO, but now its YES.

Considering the normally inept British Govt, seems quite a neat way of solving the problem by only cancelling the visa once they have left the country and thus avoiding the legal games with lawyers making applications at courts etc etc to enforce a throwing out - they simply wont let them in anymore now they are out of the country.

Oh and apparently they have obtained Bahamas citizenship which is easily available with the right level of inward cash injection. Having said that, I am not sure if a Bahama national requires a visa to enter the UK, so for all we now, he may still be able to travel freely on that Bahama passport into the UK.

Cheers
Mardhi

[katoeylover]

UK revokes former Thai PM's visa
Exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Former prime minister Thaksin retains support in rural areas of Thailand

The British government has revoked the visas of the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife.

An e-mail sent to airlines from the British embassy in Bangkok told them not to allow the couple to board flights to Britain.

Mr Thaksin was deposed in a military coup in 2006, and travelled to Britain.

He has since been convicted by a Thai court on corruption charges and sentenced in absentia to two years. His wife faces three years for tax evasion.

Mr Thaksin is thought to be travelling in East Asia - a week ago he made a telephone address to more than 60,000 supporters packed into a Bangkok sports stadium.

Multiple charges

For much of the past two years Mr Thaksin and his family have lived in the UK.

He has not only invested in expensive properties here but also bought Manchester City Football Club, which he sold in August.

Following the withdrawal of their visas Mr Thaksin and his wife will now be forced to find a new home.

The cases against Thaksin include corruption charges related to the purchase of state land by his wife, abuses of power over government money, concealing assets and tax evasion.

The former leader retains a lot of support in rural areas of Thailand, but also has many detractors who would like nothing more than to see him in jail.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7717199.stm

[Stogie]

Its so easy to get into the UK. What the government does or says have nothing to do with the rule of law which a wily chappy like Thaksin can easily use to his advantage.

We have several million people in the UK already who are violent criminals... and we have no hope in hell of cleaning up the streets of all the illegals here. At least this guy is bringing his own money!

If Thaksin wants to come here he can do so at will.

[robbo]

news here is that BKK brit embassy has asked all airlines to refuse boarding to any uk airport for the thaksins..........

[rxpharm]

This was an easy out for the UK - they know the Thai justice dept is starting the extradition process for Thaksin and his wife. I am betting the Bahamas has no extradition treaty with Thailand.

There was another news article that Thaksin is planning a meeting with the NE govt MPs in Manila soon. More plotting I am sure.

[robbo]

yes ,hes sure one real bundle of potential trouble for any counrty that will allow him to enter and or stay,at least the uk is doing something.

[Snick]

I was wondering about the Bahamas passport angle myself,does anyone know if a Bahama's passport holder needs a visa to travel to UK as a tourist ?

That was actually clever of the British to wait for Thaksin to leave before revoking the visa.

[rxpharm]

Thaksin cannot obtain a Bahamian passport unless he becomes a Bahamian citizen. He can become a resident, but will have to do so using his non-diplomatic Thai passport (which he returned to his brother-in-law a few months ago).

So he will be be banned from the UK as he will be using his Thai passport.

Sorry, if he bought a Bahamian passport this comment is irrelevant.

[kahuna]

Do I need a UK visa?
No
You will not normally need a visa to come to the United Kingdom for a short visit

You told us:
You are: A national of Bahamas
Purpose of your visit: Visit
Your status: Normally and legally living in Bahamas

[Road Runner]

On doing a little research it would appear that a Bahamian passport holder can enter the UK for 6 months without a visa.

However the Home Secretary has powers to exclude anyone from the UK when it's deemed against the public interest to let them in.

You can bet that if the British Embassy in BKK has asked airlines to refuse the Thaksins so have all the others around the world.

RR.

[geezer]

You watch them find some human rights legislation that will mean Britain has to keep him. Hell we can even get rid of convicted Terrorists. The Iranian the SAS forgot to kill in the Embassy seige back in the 80's gets out soon. We can't deport him as it infringes on his human rights so he'll get a council house and benefits.

We have an entire army of left wing lawyers who will defend these guys at the taxpayers expense. I think Thanksin will be all right.

[allstar88]

congo and chad said they will take thaksin too?

[Guest]

Fuck him, his family and his PPP cronies from ignorant Isan.As long as he can only come back to Thailand and go straight to the slammer ,I coudn't care less if he ends up with his murdering friends in China.
Only a motorcycle assassin will rid Thailand of the "dictator in waiting".If he ends up elsewhere it will be easier to bump him off as when he is in Thailand he has the full support of one of the most corrupt police forces in the World.

[BAM]

Watch him go to Panama next like all the good crooks do!

http://www.offshore-protection.com/panamaPassport.html

[Snick]

He should to Pattaya which is where most international criminals on the run go....oh wait....never mind.