Here’s more info on Thaksin’s recently having received an entry visa to Japan, which I mentioned yesterday.
The NYT/IHT provides some context:
Ms. Yingluck has gone out of her way to play down any influence that her brother may exert on her administration, and she has deflected questions about amnesty for him. But Mr. Thaksin is widely believed to be playing a key role as adviser and kingmaker to the new government. He was also instrumental in the election victory of Ms. Yingluck and her party in July.
There are also these additional details:
In issuing him a visa, Japan appears to have waived a rule that restricts foreigners with criminal records from entering the country.
Surpong Tovijakchaikul, Thailand’s new foreign minister, said Mr. Thaksin had requested the visa on his own. But Reuters quoted Yukio Edano, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, as saying that the Yingluck government had “asked for our help” in issuing the visa and that Japan took the step out of consideration for “bilateral ties.”
Elsewhere, the FT has some quotes from former Thai government spokesman Panitan:
“The foreign minister is trying to create a new understanding that Thaksin is not a criminal,” said Panitan Wattanayagorn, the former administration spokesman and now a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. “Puea Thai wants to send a new political message that Mr Thaksin is no longer a fugitive,” he said, referring to the ruling party.
And:
“He will get in trouble if he tries to push it too far,” Mr Panitan said.
(All emphasis mine.)
(Image: Wikipedia.)