Probe into Thaksin’s 'khmer nationality'

Published: 5/02/2010 at 03:12 PM
Online news: Local News

The Foreign Ministry will investigate a report on a Cambodian blog that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted Cambodian citizenship and issued with a Cambodian passport in March last year.

“The ministry had earlier asked Cambodian authorities about this issue, but had never received a response," the foreign minister's secretary-general, Chavanont Intharakomalsuth said on Friday afternoon.

"A serious effort will be made to check on this again," Mr Chavanont said.

The blogspot KI-media made the claim in a "Khmer Intelligence News" report posted on Feb 1:

The report said: Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra obtained a Cambodian passport in the last week of March 2009. The Royal Decree granting Thaksin Khmer citizenship was signed off by CPP and Senate President Chea Sim in his capacity then as Acting Head of State. King Norodom Sihamoni had been “advised” to unexpectedly but discretely leave Cambodia for France in that last week of March 2009 in order to keep secret the CPP decision to grant Khmer citizenship to thaksin. http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html

Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutharak raised the report today.

“This has enabled Thaksin to obtain a passport and conveniently travel to and from Cambodia,” Mr Buranat said, adding that he had referred the matter to Mr Chavanont.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday that he had no knowledge of Thaksin having changed his nationality, but he insisted that Thaksin can have only one nationality at a time.

If he had Cambodian nationality, he would have to give up his Thai nationality, he said.

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Bill

Discussion 18 : 10/02/2010 at 07:54 PM18
What's so wrong about dual citizenship anyway? Why is it something governments fear? After all, isn't it residency that determines whether you pay taxes?
dang boonlert

Discussion 17 : 09/02/2010 at 11:34 AM17
Thaksin is rumored to hold Liberian, Nigerian and Nicaraguan passports as well. Seem there are no shortage of countries with dubious reputations willing to accept Thaksin as a national or even as a diplomat. I suggest Thaksin apply for a Sudanese passport as well. Thaksin can use one of his many passports to travel to the Hague to visit his friends and appear at their trials as a character witness.
Matt

Discussion 16 : 08/02/2010 at 03:13 PM16
I don't think the report was true. Thaksin didn't have Cambodian cizitenship yet.
Me only

Discussion 15 : 08/02/2010 at 03:09 PM15
Interesting comment thread.

The '99 constitution stated that no-one has the right to remove your thai citizenship (except yourself by becoming a citizen of a country that does not allow dual-citizenship) If the 2007 constitution changed this I would be very surprised as it was essentially a copy with some additions and clarifications.

A citizen of a country is normally granted a passport Luc - however I have only confirmed that with Thai/UK, Thai/German, Thai,US, Thai/Australian.
Amused Thai Returnee

Discussion 14 : 08/02/2010 at 10:50 AM14
When the government cannot crow about its achievements especially when they have nothing to show, they need the bogeyman to draw attention away from their economic non-achievement.
It is thus sad and patheitc that any negative news about Thaksin would be given maximum coverage by the government. As long as this keeps up, the divide in the Thai society would not disappear.
Forget about Thaksin and concentrate on the development of the country. If you need the bogeyman to instill fear on your countrymen, then you are not fit to govern.
Luc Scholte van Mast

Discussion 13 : 06/02/2010 at 08:40 AM13
for all of you saying to read better...A citizenship does not give you a passport as far as I know and the article clearly states that he was given Citizenship and a Cambodian Passport.

The passport indicates more than only citizenship...
ssacto

Discussion 12 : 06/02/2010 at 03:25 AM12
Yep. Thai gov needs to group up and give the people freedom of speech and liberty. Stop putting people in the Prim. seat without election.
If they do the right things for the Thai people, why they so afraid of Mr. T.S. An 8 years old could figure this out. The coup members put judges that willing to convict any politician that opposes to their ideas. Is this "the land of the Free--Thai?"
Hirata

Discussion 11 : 05/02/2010 at 11:41 PM11
KI, no body believe on this web. This web belong to Sam Rainsy Party.
laajkham

Discussion 10 : 05/02/2010 at 10:41 PM10
Thaksin being Cambodian citizen? Cambodia may not grant citizenship to him that easily, but the game cambodia plays may have to do with the Thai/Cambodia border dispute. Remember, lots of Thai are loyal to Thaksin, and if he can have a base in Cambodia, it is too close to home and is very challenging. That is how Cambodia wants and plays.
Khunandre Australia

Discussion 9 : 05/02/2010 at 09:15 PM9
Dual nationality is ok..when the second one is from a civilised country...55555555

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Probe into Thaksin’s 'khmer nationality'