[Siem] FM to probe Thaksin’s nationality

5/02/2010
Bangkok Post

The Foreign Ministry will recheck a news report that ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shnawatra has been given a Cambodian nationality since 2008, secretary-general to the foreign minister Chavanont Intharakomalsuth said on Friday afternoon.

“The ministry had already made an initial double-check with the Cambodian authority but has received no response. A serious recheck will be further carried out”, Mr Chavanont said.

Buranat Samutrak, spokesman of the Democrat Party, earlier this after noon claimed that the Intelligent News [Khmer Intelligence News], a Cambodian news agency, had on Feb 1 reported that Thaksin has received Cambodian nationality since March 2008.

King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia had directed relevant Cambodian officials to keep this matter a top secret, he added.

“This has been able Thaksin to obtain passport and conveniently travel to and from Cambodia”, Mr Buranat said. He had forwarded the document to Mr Chavanont for fact finding.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday that he had no knowledge about changing nationality of Thaksin. But he insisted that Thaksin can have only one nationality.

If he gained Cambodian nationality, he would have to abandon the Thai one, he said.