Japan allows Thaksin visit

Thaksin to hold news conference, give lecture; Surapong says he'll consider returning ex-premier's passport

Japan has granted a special entry permit to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for his high profile visit to the country, Thani Thongpakdi, spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said yesterday.

Thani still had no idea when Thaksin would go there and what kind of travel document he would use.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul expressed his appreciation on learning his former boss would be able to go to Japan.

"I'm glad former prime minister Thaksin will be able to enter Japan. The decision to issue a visa for the former premier is purely at the discretion of the Japanese authorities," Surapong told Kyodo News by telephone.

Thaksin, who is believed to be living in Dubai, contacted the Japanese consulate-general in the United Arab Emirates to ask for permission to enter Japan. The Japanese Foreign and Justice ministries are now arranging his permit, according to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun.

Thaksin needs special permission to visit Japan since the country's immigration control and refugee recognition law prohibits any foreigner who has been sentenced to a prison term of more than one year from entering the country.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years for abuse of authority in granting permission to his wife to purchase a piece of land from a stage agency while he was holding a position in government. He was ousted by a military coup in 2006 before the conviction.

Thaksin, who was invited by the Japan, China, Asean Institute of Economy and Culture, plans to hold a news conference and give a lecture during his visit. He also plans to visit areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan would be the first country Thaksin would visit after the new government led by his younger sister Yingluck was formed. Unlike the previous government under Abhisit Vejjajiva, the new government under the Shinawatra clan has no policy to block the movement of the former premier in foreign countries.

Thaksin was banned from entering many countries during Abhisit's government. Germany was the first country to lift the travel ban on him and he reportedly visited the country on August 5, just before the formation of the new government.

The new government reportedly would facilitate his travelling and activities abroad by issuing him a new Thai passport that was revoked a few years ago during Abhisit's administration.

Yingluck said her government has no policy on the matter but the Foreign Ministry has the authority to issue the document. The ministry would do its job for the benefit of the people in according with the rule of law, she said. The ministry would consider all passport requests equally, she said.

Surapong said he would consider returning Thaksin's passport according to the ministry's regulations.

The ministry's 2005 regulation on travel documents would not authorise officials to issue a passport to a person who is serving a sentence for a crime or is freed on bail if the court, governing officials or police do not allow the person to have a passport.