Court rejects Thaksin’s request to go Qatar for President Trump banquet

The Criminal Court has rejected former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s request for permission to travel to Qatar, to attend a banquet at the Lusail palace, hosted by the Amir of Qatar Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in honour of President Donald Trump.

Thaksin claimed that he had received an electronic letter from the administration of Lusail palace, inviting him to attend.

In rejecting Thaksin’s request, the court ruled that the former prime minister was invited in his personal capacity and not in his capacity as an advisor to the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The court also noted that the invitation letter did not provide any details about the event, but that, if President Trump actually attends the event, Thaksin may have had a chance to meet with the president and his economic team.

The court also pointed out that Thaksin’s planned visit to Qatar is close to the June 13 date, set by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to hold an enquiry into whether the court’s prison sentence imposed on him had been enforced.

As such, the court said there was insufficient justification for Thaksin to leave the country.

At the hearing, Thaksin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.