Thaksin not into Gulf oil,gas, says Noppadon

September 19, 2011
The Nation

The Democrat Party should stop faulting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday, arguing the main opposition party had no evidence implicating Thaksin in the alleged conflict of interest in Cambodia.

"I have been offering Bt100 million reward for anyone who can prove that Thaksin has business interests in the oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Thailand - but the Democrats have nothing to back up their allegations," he said.

Noppadon said the Democrats should not try to portray him and Thaksin based on false evidence.

"If the Democrats want to be critical, their views should be based on facts," he said.

Thaksin's adviser unaware of a trip to Cambodia

August 17, 2011
The Nation

Legal adviser Noppadon Pattama on Wednesday admitted he was unaware of his client Thaksin Shinawatra's planned visit to Cambodia, scheduled for Friday to Sunday.

"I don't know anything about the trip," he said.

Noppadon said he was trying to indentify the news source, who reportedly is an insider of Pheu Thai Party.

Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasobdee said he believed Thaksin would remain in Dubai before making his scheduled visit to Japan on Monday.

Abhisit blames Noppadol for on-going border conflicts with Cambodia

Noppadon Pattama (The Nation)

July 25, 2011
The Nation

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday blamed former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia over the 4.6-kilometre plot near the Preah Vihear Temple.

Abhisit was responding to Noppadon's comment that the Abhisit government should have approached the border conflicts based on the measure agreed upon by the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet.

But Abhisit said Noppadon and the Samak Cabinet instead caused the current trouble having issuing a Cabinet resolution to allow Noppadon as the foreign minister to endorse Cambodia's unilateral registration of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

Blame game among Thai SORE LOSERS

Noppadon Patama

Noppadon blasts Suwit for "failure"

26/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Noppadon Pattama, a lawyer for former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on Sunday strongly criticised National Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti for withdrawing Thailand from the World Heritage Convention.

Mr Suwit, head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, last night announced Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention after a disappointing decision by its secretariat to advance Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Noppadon, a former foreign minister of the Thaksin administration, said Mr Suwit, as expected, failed to convince other members of the World Heritage Convention to postpone consideration of Cambodia's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

"You failed because you have few friends in the world forum," he wrote in his personal Facebook page.

Noppadon eludes impeachment

Friday, March 12, 2010
The Nation

Although the Senate voted on Friday to impeach former foreign minister Noppadon Patama on charges related to his involvement in the Preah Vihear Temple controversy, its votes falled short of 90 votes needed to punish him.

Of 117 senators present, 57 were in favour of impeachment and 55 against. Four abstained and one cast vote deemed invalid.

The National Anti Corruption Commission recommended for impeachment inquiry on the ground for his bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny of the draft Cambodian-Thai communique on the listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

[Thai] Senate to decide next Friday whether to impeach Noppadon

Noppadon Pattama (The Nation)

Friday, March 05, 2010
The Nation

The Senate will make a decision next Friday whether to impeach former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama retroactively for having signed a joint statement with Cambodia.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission recommended the Senate to impeach Noppadon for having signed the statement in support of Cambodia's unilateral registration of the Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage.

The Senate Friday held a meeting to hear reasons of both Noppadon and the NACC representative before scheduling next Friday for making a decision.

After the three-hour meeting, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said both the NACC and Noppadon would submit written statement to the chamber within Tuesday.

If retroactively impeached for violating the 2007 charter, Noppadon would be banned from politics for five years.

Red carpet treatment for alleged Thai spy's mom ... courtesy of Sok An and Noppadon

Red carpet for 'spy's mum'

December 3, 2009
The Nation

Detainee's mother met at airport by Sok An, the Cambodian deputy premier, thanks to Noppadon's connections in Phnom Penh

Mother of the detained Thai engineer received a warm welcome in Phnom Penh yesterday, with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An waiting for her at the airport.

This second visit, facilitated by opposition Pheu Thai Party, allowed Simarak na Nakhon Phanom to spend two hours with her son Sivarak Chutipong at the Prey Sor prison on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital. She was also allowed to give him basic necessities and food.

Sivarak was arrested on November 12 over charges of spying on ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, stealing his flight schedule and passing it on to a Thai diplomat who was later expelled from Cambodia.

Speaking via telephone from Phnom Penh, Simarak said she wanted to thank Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for allowing her to visit her son, as well as Sok An for meeting her at the airport and escorting her to the prison. She said the visit had been made very easy and had come as a surprise to Sivarak.

"My son is healthy," she said.

She also thanked Pheu Thai Party for facilitating her visit - former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama used his connections in Phnom Penh to help.

Simarak previously visited her son last Friday with the assistance of the Thai Foreign Ministry, but later she attacked the ministry for being too slow in getting Sivarak out of prison. She was in Cambodia for 12 hours last Friday for a one-and-a-half hour meeting with her son. This time though she was allowed to stay overnight in the capital and also go sightseeing before she takes a flight back today.

When asked about her relying on the opposition party, Simarak said she did not care that it had caused a political conflict because she was willing to do anything to save her son. "I have no hidden agenda, no politics, but will use every channel I can to see my son," she said.

Sivarak's arrest is believed to be part of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, because he was arrested in connection with Thaksin, who was appointed by Hun Sen as an economic adviser.

Angered by Thaksin's appointment, Thailand downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia and reviewed many cooperation projects. The government has also blamed Thaksin for manipulating conflicts between the two countries.

Noppadon, meanwhile, said the government's moves against Cambodia could end up costing a lot, adding that Thaksin should not be blamed for the slump in foreign relations because he had suggested several times that Thailand reconcile with Cambodia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya should also make clear whether the government wants to revoke the maritime deal with Cambodia, he said.

The Cabinet decided to terminate the 2001 memorandum of understanding on overlapping claims on the continental shelf but it needs to be approved by Parliament before Phnom Penh is notified.

"Just threatening to withdraw from the maritime deal is not appropriate. Instead, the government should make a clear decision and inform Phnom Penh in writing soon," Noppadon said.

Thaksin willing to help jailed engineer

29/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is willing to help the detained Thai engineer in Cambodia if the Thai government could not help him, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said on Sunday.

Sivarak Chutipong, an employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services, was arrested on Nov 12 on charges of leaking information concerning the flight plan of Thaksin Shinawatra as he visited Phnom Pehn.

"Thaksin is willing to ask the Cambodian court for mercy for Sivarak if he is found guilty," former foreign minister Noppadon said.

He said Thaksin is still in Dubai.

Thaksin's activities had affected the government's stability and the image of Thailand to the eyes of foreign countries was less positive, he said.

"On the idea of having a mediator for the negotiation between Thaksin and the government, Thaksin is not sure about the government's sincerity," he said.

Noppadon: Thaksin ready to help

16/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to help, if asked by the Thai government, to talk to Cambodia to ensure justice for the Thai engineer who was arrested on spy charges, Noppadon Pattama said on Monday.

Mr Noppadon, a legal adviser and close aide of Thaksin, said he had talked over this matter to the deposed prime minister who said he was ready to help if asked by the government.

However, Thaksin would only help ask Cambodia to ensure justice for Siwarak Chothpong, the suspect, and allow relatives to visit him, but would not interfere in the Cambodian justice process because doing so could be seen as meddling in that country's internal affairs, Mr Noppadon said.

Mr Noppadon also said Thaksin was not involved in the M79 attack on the People's Alliance for Democracy's rally on Sunday night and threaten to sue PAD leaders if they accused his boss of involvement.

Noppadon says Thai engineer arrested in Phnom Penh might be linked to govt

November 14, 2009
The Nation

Noppadon Pattama, a former legal advisor of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Friday that the Thai engineer, who was arrested in Phnom Penh, might be linked to the government.

He said it was suspicious why an engineer wanted a flight schedule, which was not related to his works.

He said the Thai government should investigate and clarify the issue.

Noppadon said the Foreign Ministry should also provide help to the man.

I can beat Preah Vihear charges : Noppadon

October 1, 2009
The Nation

Noppadon Pattama was optimistic yesterday he would be cleared of criminal and impeachment charges relating to the wrongful signing of the Cambodian-Thai joint communique on Preah Vihear temple last year.

"So many past indictments by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) have been dismissed by the courts," he said.

The NACC ruled on Tuesday to prosecute him and former prime minister Samak Sundaravej on suspicion of a lapse of duty, under Article 157 of the Criminal Code. They were accused of pushing through the controversial joint communique which was subsequently rejected and voided by the Constitution Court as well as the Central Administrative Court.

Noppadon - who was foreign minister at the time - insisted the NACC was prejudiced by relying heavily on evidence supplied by his opponents and those in the anti-Thaksin camp.

The joint communique was not a treaty, as claimed by opponents. It was a first document in which Cambodia duly recognised the existence of the disputed area surrounding the temple, he said, denying the allegation about sanctioning the Cambodian claim to the Thai territory.

He said he was prepared to fight the legal battle in the Supreme Court and the impeachment proceedings in the Senate.

Noppadon said ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra gave him the moral support to clear his name. Samak, who is in hospital for cancer treatment, also gave him encouragement through an aide, he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government would allow justice to run its course without interfering in the matter.

In his message posted on Twitter, Thaksin said the NACC had gone overboard in trying to fault Noppadon.

As part of the indictments, the NACC cited evidence from the National Security Council on the intentions of Noppadon and Samak relating to the joint communique. Based on the evidence, it concluded the two wanted to help Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen boost his popularity ahead of the polls.

The NACC expressed shock and dismay the two were willing to risk Thai territorial integrity for the political gain of a foreign leader.

Reacting to the evidence obtained by the NACC, NSC secretary general Thawil Pliensri said he remained sceptical Samak had actually instructed Noppadon to help Hun Sen.

"The story is beyond belief and I never heard Samak tell Noppadon to act in such manner," Thawil said, insisting he was at the NSC meeting on the temple issue.

He admitted, however, there was no taped record of what transpired between Samak and Noppadon.

Thawil's predecessor Lt General Surapol Phuenaiyaka was the key witness in the NACC inquiry.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said the NACC had been unfair in indicting Noppadon and Samak.

The two were not responsible for losing the Thai territory to Cambodia but Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his fellow Democrats were, Jatuporn claimed.

He insisted the two had tried to safeguard the Thai borders while Abhisit neglected to defend the disputed area in spite of a road constructed by Cambodia 250 metres inside Thai soil.

Noppadon: NACC ruling unfair

30/09/2009
Bangkok Post

Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama on Wednesday lashed out at the National Anti-Corruption Commission for finding against him in connection with the Preah Vihear temple communique dispute, saying the decision was unfair.

The NACC on Tuesday ruled that former prime minister Samak Sundaravej and Mr Noppadon were to be held responsible for a cabinet resolution on June 17 last year to allow the then foreign minister to sign a joint communique backing Cambodia's bid to register Preah Vihear as a world heritage site without receiving prior approval from parliament as required by Article 190 of the constitution. The communique was signed on June 18

The two were also found to have violated Article 157 of the Criminal Code.

Mr Noppadon said the NACC's ruling was wrong in law and unfair to him and Mr Samak and was based on evidence supplied by political opponents of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He insisted that the joint communique was not a treaty, but was only a political statement intended to protect territorial sovereignty. It was the only document in which Cambodia admitted the existence of overlapping border areas, he added.

The document had been carefully considered and agreed to by both Foreign Ministry officials, armed forces commanders at a National Security Council meeting, and the cabinet, said Mr Noppadon.

Although in fact many people were to be held responsible for the signing of the communique, the NACC opted to take legal action against only him and Mr Samak.

Mr Noppadon said he was ready to fight in court to prove his innocence and hoped to receive justice from the courts and the Senate.

The former foreign minister said he talked over this matter with Thaksin on the telephone and the fugitive former prime minister gave him moral support and talked to Mr Samak via his personal secretary.

Thai former PM, FM found to have violated law during listing of Preah Vihear with UNESCO

BANGKOK, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) voted 6:3 to find former prime minister Samak Sundaravej and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama to have violated Article 157 of the Criminal Code for abuse of authority during the UNESCO-listing process of Preah Vihear temple.

The NACC found the two had violated the law since the then cabinet passed a resolution for Noppadon to sign the Thai-Cambodian communique to support the listing of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), without the Thai parliament approval, Thai News Agency reported.

As Noppadon was the Thai foreign minister in the Samak-led Administration, on July 18 last year, he signed the joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An for the UNESCO listing of Preah Vihear temple.

The UNESCO, in July 2008, approved Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage Site, since then the temple and its adjacent area have become the sites of border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

[Thailand] NACC to seek legal action against Samak, Noppadon over temple charges

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will seek legal action against former prime minister Samak Sundaravej and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama over last year’s issuance of a joint communique with Cambodia to endorse the listing of the historic Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The NACC found grounds to charge the duo over their approval of a Cabinet resolution at that time to endorse the listing of Preah Vihear temple without parliamentary endorsement as required by the Constitution.

The NACC voted 6:3 in finding them violated Article 190 of the constitution, said Klanarong Chantik, the NACC commissioner. It also found them negligent in carrying out their duties under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.

Mr Noppadol, then foreign minister, signed a joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, 2008 to support Cambodia’s application to list the 11th century temple as a World Heritage site during the Samak administration.

However, the NACC ruled that it did not find sufficient grounds to take action against other cabinet members in the Samak administration and government officials.

The NACC investigated 44 persons in the case including four in the present cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pattaraprasit, Information and Communication Technology Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti.

[Thailand] NCCC to decide on Preah Vihear case today

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Nation

The National Counter Corruption Commission is expected to make a decision on whether to indict members of the Samak Cabinet and permanent officials involved in endorsing the joint-communiqué to support Cambodia's listing Preah Vihear as a Word Heritage Site.

NCCC commissioner Klanarong Chantik said the NCCC would make the decision today because the investigation results into the case were completed.

Four high-ranking ministry officials have been accused in the case comprising Foreign Ministry permanent-secretary Veerasak Futrakul, Chirdchu Raktrabutr, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Krit Garnjana-goonchorn, Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs.

Members of the Samak Cabinet who are defendants in this case include four former cabinet members in the Samak government, namely, deputy prime minister Sanan Kajornprasart, deputy finance minister Pradit Pataraprasit, natural resources and environment minister Suwit Khunkitti and ICT minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee.

The Constitution Court had earlier ruled that the Preah Vihear joint communique was endorsed by the Samak cabinet in violation of the Constitution.

Former foreign ministry deputy permanent secretary Suchinda Yongsunthorn said he believed the permanent officials were innocent as they honestly did their job with the believe that the communique would not cause Thailand to lose any land.

Thailand's Anti-Corruption Commission to rule on Preah Vihear charge Tuesday

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (TNA) - Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is scheduled to rule on Tuesday on the previous government's resolution which supported Cambodia's listing of the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

The NACC decided last November to press charges against 44 persons including 28 Cabinet members in the Samak Sundaravej administration and state officials in connection with the signing of a joint communique with Cambodia without seeking parliamentary approval as required by the Constitution.

The joint communique was signed by Thailand’s then foreign minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, 2008.

The NACC decided last Tuesday to postpone the ruling to today.

NACC Commissioner Klanarong Chantik said last week that the NACC would consider the case on two separate issues: impeachment and criminal prosecution following the Constitutional Court's ruling that the joint communique was unconstitutional.

He said the anti-graft commission would tackle whether each of the 44 was intentionally involved in malfeasance that caused damage to the country.

The commission, he explained last week, finished investigating 12 persons, but the other 32 would be further scrutinised with the results to be disclosed on September 29.

Of the 28 accused ministers, four are members of the Abhisit government. They include Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pattaraprasit, Information and Communication Technology Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti.

The accused were charged with negligence of duty and violating Article 190 of the 2007 Constitution which imposes that any treaty affecting Thailand's society, economy and integrity of its borders must be approved by Parliament.

[Thailand's] NACC accuses 12 officials of misconduct [over Preah Vihear joint communiqué]

Noppadon: Resigned over temple row

More face heat over Preah Vihear letter

23/09/2009
KING-OUA LAOHONG
Bangkok Post

Anti-corruption officials are accusing 12 people, including former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama, of misconduct over the signing of a joint communique with Cambodia concerning the Preah Vihear temple.

National Anti-Corruption Commission will release the findings of its inquiry into allegations about the communique today, but yesterday would not say who the 12 were. But a source close to the commission's inquiry confirmed Mr Noppadon, a former lawyer for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was among them.

Serving cabinet members and government officials are included in the investigation into the role of 44 people in connection with the signing of the Preah Vihear communique.

NACC member and spokesman Klanarong Chantik said the commission had yet to decide whether to formally accuse 32 individuals over the communique in which Thailand gave support for Cambodia's unilateral registration of the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The communique was declared illegal as it had not been approved by the parliament as required by law.

The decision on the 32 individuals would be made on Sept 29, the NACC spokesman said.

He said the delay was caused by the adjournment of yesterday's NACC meeting when chairman Panthep Klanarongran had to leave to attend a senator selection at parliament.

Mr Noppadon was foreign minister in the Samak Sundaravej administration when the communique was signed. It had not received prior consent from the parliament as required by Article 190 of the 2007 constitution.

The NACC yesterday did not say if Mr Noppadon was among the 12 people being formally accused.

Its decision to name the 12 for further legal action ignores the recommendation of its fact-finding subcommittee that only Mr Noppadon formally face prosecution, the source said.

The subcommittee, headed by Somluck Jadkrabuanpol, thought the evidence was sufficient to implicate only Mr Noppadon and that the others under investigation should be spared further legal action, the source said.

The panel felt that if formal charges were laid, they would likely be acquitted.

Mr Noppadon signed the joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 last year.

The Constitution Court later ruled the communique unconstitutional as it had bypassed parliamentary approval. Mr Noppadon later resigned as a political row raged over his decision to recognise Cambodia's right to Preah Vihear, which Thailand has never fully accepted.

The ministers investigated by the NACC who served under Mr Samak and are now in the present cabinet are Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, Information and Communications Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit.

Noppadon faces temple charge

Noppadon: Backed heritage listing

NACC finds ex-minister guilty of negligence

22/09/2009
By KING-OUA LAOHONG and WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post

The national anti-graft agency has accused former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama of negligence of duty over his signing of a joint communique with Cambodia concerning the Preah Vihear temple, a source at the agency says.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission ruling will be announced today based on a 130-page report.

The investigation of the signing covered 35 other people including four cabinet members in the present government and government officials, including some from the Foreign Ministry.

The ministers involved are Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, Information and Communications Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit. The four served in the Samak administration.

Only Mr Noppadon is to be indicted, the source said.

The investigators did not find enough grounds to take action against the others as they were not aware of what the then foreign minister was doing, the source said. Their cases could be rejected if the NACC submitted them to the court.

The anti-graft agency found Mr Noppadon was negligent in his duties under Article 157 of the Criminal Code, the source said.

Mr Noppadon signed the joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 last year to support Cambodia's application to declare the temple a World Heritage site. Mr Noppadon's mandate was endorsed by the government a day earlier.

But Thailand backed off from its position after the Constitution Court ruled it unconstitutional as it had bypassed parliamentary approval as required under the constitution. Mr Noppadon later resigned.

NACC member Somluck Jadkrabuanpol, chairman of the investigating panel, denied the NACC had been pressured to rule against the Samak government.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has asked police to take action against those who instigated the unrest that led to Saturday's fierce clash between the People's Alliance for Democracy and Si Sa Ket residents near the border with Cambodia.

The PAD supporters staged a protest on Saturday near the border in Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket to call for the authorities to force Cambodians from the disputed area near Preah Vihear. They confronted a group of local residents who blocked the protest. The clash between PAD protesters and the villagers left scores of people on both sides injured.

Mr Suthep said those who violated the law must face legal action.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon expressed regret over Saturday's clash between the two groups of Thai citizens.

Gen Prawit said he had instructed 2nd Army chief Wiboonsak Neepal to closely coordinate with local police and the provincial governor to prevent a recurrence.

He insisted Cambodia understood the situation as Thai and Cambodian commanders remained in contact.

Both PAD and Si Sa Ket residents yesterday filed complaints against each other with local police over Saturday's clash.

Pol Maj Gen Sompong Thongveeraprasert, chief of the Si Sa Ket police, said more than 30 complaints were filed by the two groups.

Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul dismissed reports a group of men dressed in blue shirts had stirred up local residents to confront the PAD demonstrators. The blue shirts are supporters of Newin Chidchob, the power broker behind Mr Chavarat's Bhumjaithai Party.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Mr. Pardon

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Noppadon Pattama urges Abhisit to take back Preah Vihear temple: Noppadon poli-sicks?

Noppadon Pattama (Photo: Reuters)

Thaksin's Ex-Lawyer Urges PM to Bring back Preah Vihear
25 May 2009
Thai Asian News Network

The former lawyer of the fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is urging the prime minister to take back Preah Vihear Temple, and says that failing to do so would constitute negligence. He also said that foreign countries are waiting in line to issue visas for Thaksin. Meanwhile, he claimed that Hong Kong has already responded to Thailand and have indicated that they can't extradite the former PM since it is a free country and there is no extradition treaty.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-lawyer Noppadon Pattama said he will submit a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. When Abhisit was still the opposition leader, he submitted a no-confidence motion concerning Preah Vihear temple. As Abhisit is now head of the government, Noppadon said he should take back the Preah Vihear Temple and use the watershed to delineate the border between Thailand and Cambodia. He said that if the prime minister does not move forward in this effort, he will be considered to have failed in his duties.

Noppadon also revealed that Thaksin is currently living in Dubai, and says that he is in the process of buying an island in Montenegro.

Noppadon confirmed that Thaksin holds many passports, but does not have a Cambodian or German passport as reports have claimed. The lawyer admitted that many countries are ready to issue passports to Thaksin, including a European country which is allegedly issuing Thaksin a residence visa that will allow him to live in the country for many years, since they believe that Thaksin has not received political justice.

However, concerning Thailand's request to Hong Kong to help capture Thaksin and extradite him here, Noppadon indicated that from his understanding, Hong Kong has already sent a letter back to Thailand saying that they cannot proceed with the request, since Hong Kong is a free country and the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.