Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK2168
2006-04-12 10:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

EXTRADITION: RTG PROVIDES ASSURANCES FOR SUWIT

Tags:  PREL PGOV CJAN CASC CPAS SNAR KCRM TH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0057
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #2168 1021024
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121024Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7821
UNCLAS BANGKOK 002168 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR L/LEI - JCOGAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CJAN CASC CPAS SNAR KCRM TH
SUBJECT: EXTRADITION: RTG PROVIDES ASSURANCES FOR SUWIT
PRASOPRAT

REF: STATE 57005

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002168

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR L/LEI - JCOGAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CJAN CASC CPAS SNAR KCRM TH
SUBJECT: EXTRADITION: RTG PROVIDES ASSURANCES FOR SUWIT
PRASOPRAT

REF: STATE 57005


1. (SBU) In a meeting with MFA Deputy Director General for
American Affairs Apirath Vienravi and several members of the
MFA's Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, DCM delivered
reftel request. In response to Department's request that the
RTG provide an assurance that if the death sentence is
imposed in Suwit's case it will not be carried out, Apirath
respectfully informed DCM that such an assurance could not be
given. Counselor from the Department of Treaties and Legal
Affairs Ms Chavanart Thangsumphant noted that this request
went beyond the language set in Article 6 of the extradition
treaty between the US and Thailand. She further explained
that the ultimate pardoning authority in a case such as this
would be the monarchy and the monarchy cannot be asked to
provide such a solid assurance based on a hypothetical
situation.


2. (SBU) DCM next requested that the RTG provide an assurance
that the competent Thai authority would recommend to the Thai
pardoning authority that the death penalty be commuted if it
is imposed. Apirath, with the concurrance of Chavanart and
the other members of the Department of Treaties and Legal
Affairs, replied that the RTG willingly provides this
assurance.


3. (SBU) Chavanart clarified that the competent Thai
authority to recommend such a pardon is the Ministry of
Justice. Apinart and Chavanart assured that if the Thai
court imposes a death sentence in the case of Suwit
Prasoprat, the Ministry of Justice would recommend a pardon
upon receiving the formal request to do so by the MFA, in
accordance with Article 6. They further assured that,
consistent with Article 6, in the event Prasoprat is
sentenced to death the MFA will request the Ministry of
Justice to make such a recommendation.


3. (SBU) DCM thanked Apirath for providing the assurance per
Article 6 of the US - Thailand Extradition Treaty. DCM also
thanked Apirath and his staff for meeting on such short
notice in advance of Thailand's New Year holiday.
BOYCE