British envoy affirms UK impartiality in considering entry visas

Written by Writer on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

British envoy affirms UK impartiality in considering entry visas

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - The United Kingdom considers granting entry visas based on impartiality and mutual respect for democracy, according to the British envoy.

Speaking after a meeting and discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat for some 50 minutes, British Ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle said issues discussed included the talk between Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers on November 12 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the northern province of Chiang Mai next month.

He said that Mr. Sompong had enquired about the British government’s decision to revoke visas for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The British envoy said that Britain respected Thailand’s democracy with impartiality throughout the political crisis.

Impartiality is applied in consideration of granting visas to all persons who wish to come and go from the UK, he said. Such persons will be treated strictly according to British law,” he said.

“I have no right to express opinions over the entry in and departure from the UK of anyone,” Mr. Quayle said.

Asked whether Mr. Thaksin would be able to seek a new visa for re-entering to the UK, Mr. Quayle declined to give his comment on the matter.

The British government over the weekend confirmed that it had revoked visas for the former Thai premier and his wife Pojaman to re-enter the UK where they had earlier lived in self-imposed exile. (TNA)