April 19, 2009
Thaksin running out of hiding places
April 19, 2009
The Electric News (Singapore)
These moves come after the Thai government revoked his passport, accusing him of inciting the protests that disrupted the Asean summit in Pattaya last weekend and later caused chaos in Bangkok.
He made frequent video and telephone speeches to his supporters as they disrupted the summit and then rampaged through the streets of Bangkok.
On Tuesday, the Thai government issued the latest arrest warrant against Thaksin, accusing him of inciting people to break the law in last week's violence.
The next day, the Nicaraguan government said it issued a passport to Thaksin in January, naming him an 'ambassador on a special mission' to bring investment to the country.
Despite facing corruption charges, Thaksin has travelled to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Dubai and Cambodia in his private jet.
At these locations, he has frequently given interviews that have fuelled the conflict that has bitterly divided Thailand since 2006.
A spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told The Age that it 'understands that an arrest warrant has been issued' for Thaksin, but declined to comment on the Thai legal system and political process, or any future requests by Thaksin to visit the country.
But Thaksin may soon not have many places to hide.
Long before Tuesday's warrant, the Thai government asked Interpol to arrest Thaksin once it had found out his whereabouts.
The international police agency has issued a 'red' notice on Thaksin, reported The Nation. The notice is recognised in various countries and serves as a legal basis for his arrest and extradition.
The Thai government is also working towards extraditing Thaksin from China and has begun similar talks with Hong Kong and Dubai, where Thaksin is believed to be hiding.
It may only be a matter of time before he has to return home to face the music himself.
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