Thaksin’s passport revoked

PHUKET: The Foreign Ministry has revoked the Thai passport of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The nullification of his right to travel under that document comes amid widespread concern, in and outside of the Thai government, that such travel could cause further damage to the Kingdom, government spokesman Tharit Charungvat said today.

Thaksin’s revoked passport was his last Thai traveling document. His diplomatic passport was canceled in the middle of December when the current government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took office.

His ordinary passport was revoked on April 12 after he used a video link abroad to provoke a group of red shirted protesters to disrupt, and ultimately destroy, the Asean summit in Pattaya on Saturday.

The foreign ministry has the authority to recall the passport of any holder who might use that document to facilitate an action detrimental to Thailand, Tharit said.

However, the termination of Thaksin’s passport does not affect the former prime minister’s Thai citizenship.

While Thaksin can no longer travel with a Thai passport, he can apply for a temporary travel document from any Thai embassy or consulate abroad if he wishes to return to Thailand, Tharit said.

— The Nation