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Published on February 11, 2008

The former prime minister's red (diplomatic) passport was revoked following the putsch against him in September 2006. The Foreign Ministry took almost five months to act. At first, the ministry was reluctant to do so until public pressure came to bear following several high-profile visits Thaksin made to various Asian countries in an attempt to undermine the coup-installed government of General Surayud Chulanont. The passport was finally withdrawn in February last year.

Obviously, Noppadon is playing the role of "Srithanonchai", a well-known character with a forked tongue in a Thai legend. The new foreign minister said that everyone must be treated equally according to the rule of law and that "all former prime ministers must be treated the same under the regulations". This statement was correct but it was only a half-truth. Noppadon did not say that his boss was indicted in the Ratchada land scandal along with his wife last year. With an arrest warrant out in his name, he is not a bona-fide ex-official qualified to hold the red passport.

According to the Foreign Ministry's regulations on the issuance of passports in 2005, there are 14 groups of people who can obtain diplomatic passports. The first four categories are strictly related to the Royal Family and the Privy Council. The next four categories deal with senior judges from the Supreme Court, the Administrative Court and the Constitution Court, as well as presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The remaining six groups include former prime ministers and Cabinet ministers, military top brass, Foreign Ministry officials serving overseas and their spouses. The last group comprises those actively engaged in promoting Thailand - sports celebrities, for example. The diplomatic passport is valid for a period of five years.

Following the controversy over the status of Thaksin's travelling documents last year, the Foreign Ministry came up with a new draft of regulations on passport issuance for 2008, tightening up the rules for the issuance and use of red passports. For instance, under these new amendments, only former foreign ministers would qualify for this diplomatic privilege, rather than every former member of Cabinet as has been the case. The 14 existing groups remain the same, but diplomatic passports given to celebrities will be issued on a one-time basis and be valid for only one year. Noppadon has yet to vet the new draft regulations.

It was interesting to hear Noppadon say out loud that Thaksin is innocent until proven guilty. It is a familiar statement that lawyers everywhere love to cite. In Thaksin's case, the judicial process continues. If he returns before May, as Noppadon said he might, he would not be able to leave the country until his court cases are cleared.

It is an open secret that Thaksin was fuming when he was treated as an ordinary person and made to queue up with everyone else at the Thai Embassy's consulate office last May while applying for a new passport. He lost his passport along with luggage in a hamburger joint in Moscow. As far as Thaksin is concerned, his top priority is to get back at those who were involved in revoking his passport and causing him to lose face. Indeed, to the former prime minister, the resumption of his privileges under a new red passport would vindicate him and his family. But, for the ministry, it would be an unprecedented move with far-reaching repercussions.

Next week, the Samak government will announce its economic, political and social policies in Parliament. The draft portions of its foreign-policy initiatives are a rehash of those under the two previous Thaksin governments. They seek to zero in on broadening Thailand's profile in Asean and areas beyond, including East Asia and South Asia. They do not deal with other important regions or the Asian Cooperation Dialogue.

Under the new foreign policy, both the Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry will cooperate and expand their efforts to research and identify new markets for Thai exports in a systematic way. This could lead to a future merger of the two ministries. The country's priority is to rehabilitate the sagging economy and increase confidence in trade and investment. The government also pledges to adhere to the international human-rights instruments signed by Thailand. It will protect the interest of Thai labourers and overseas Thais.

Under Samak's leadership, Thailand's relations with neighbouring countries will follow a similar pattern of diplomatic and economic engagement as was practised by Thaksin from 2001 to 2006. However, for the first time, Thai foreign policy does mention the desire to serve as a facilitator in coordinating policy for peace-building and maintaining peace, as well as ending regional conflicts. Specifically, this policy initiative will impact on the country's relations with Burma.

It remains to be seen how Noppadon, who has a penchant to act on Thaksin's behalf, will reconcile his own agenda with the national interest. He has constantly confided to close aides and friends that serving Thaksin is his ultimate objective in life. If this trend continues, it is only a matter of time before the entire direction of foreign policy is driven by Thaksin in exile. That would be the opposite of what Noppadon pledged to do when he said he would promote Thailand's image and boost the confidence of investors.

Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation