Democrats move to impeach Surapong

Democrats move to impeach Surapong

Japan official says govt asked for Thaksin visa

The Democrat Party has initiated a bid to impeach Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul for breaching the charter in his handling of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's planned visit to Japan.

The move came after Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, confirmed that Tokyo had decided to issue a visa for the ex-premier Thaksin after receiving a request from the Thai government.
Mr Yukio was quoted as saying that "the Thai government has taken a policy of not prohibiting former prime minister Thaksin from visiting any country and requested that Japan issue a visa."
Nipit Intarasombat, head of the opposition party's legal team, said the foreign minister's press interviews indicate the minister had engaged a policy before the Pheu Thai-led government had delivered its policy statement to parliament.
Mr Surapong's actions had breached Section 176 of the constitution, he said.
Mr Surapong met Japanese ambassador Seiji Kojima to apparently discuss Thaksin's trip to Japan and the foreign minister said on several occasions that Thaksin's visit would benefit Thailand, Mr Nipit said.
Mr Nipit said the party's legal team had drafted an impeachment document and would collect signatures from 125 MPs before submitting it to the Senate on Aug 22.
The impeachment bid would be sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission if it is approved by three-fifths of the Senate, or 90 senators.
The Democrats also filed a complaint with Phaya Thai police against Mr Surapong, accusing him of helping Thaksin escape a court detention order.

See also:
Thaksin and Thailand's foreign policy

Mr Nipit said the foreign minister had been aware of Thaksin's planned visit to Japan but failed to coordinate with authorities in seeking his arrest and bringing him to justice. Moreover, the foreign minister is believed to have asked Japan to facilitate the trip.
According to Mr Nipit, there is no evidence that Mr Surapong acted based on an order from the prime minister.
"But if he didn't get an order, he wouldn't have done it," he said.
Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong said yesterday that Mr Surapong is the "devil in disguise".
"We'll see a foreign minister in jail," he said. "Instead of bringing Thaksin to justice, he urged Japan to grant him a visa. Mr Surapong's act is equivalent to aiding Thaksin in his escape."
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra denied any involvement in Thaksin's visa for Japan.
"I have no policy about this and had nothing to do with it," she said. "We have to put up with it."
Thaksin's legal adviser, Noppadon Pattama, warned the opposition to carefully study the law before filing a motion to impeach the minister or it might face a counter-suit for making false statements.
He said it was normal for Thaksin to travel to different countries. During the prior administration, he made several overseas trips to discuss business.
Pheu Thai MPs reacted in uproar at the impeachment talk and accused the Democrats of politicising the matter.
"It is a disgrace for the Democrat Party to try to discredit Pheu Thai and the government which has yet to announce a policy statement," said Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said Mr Surapong and the government had no involvement in helping Thaksin obtain the visa. He said the decision was at the sole discretion of the Japanese government.