The national anti-graft agency accused Surapong, a key politician from the Pheu Thai Party, of malfeasance and dereliction of duty under the Penal Code and of violating ethical standards under Prime Minister’s Office regulations for political appointees.

Also, the NACC has requested the National Legislative Assembly to impeach Surapong and asked the Office of Attorney-General to indict him for criminal negligence and malfeasance in connection with his actions in this matter.

While serving as foreign minister in 2011, Surapong instructed the Foreign Ministry to issue two new passports to Thaksin, whose passports had been revoked in 2009 by the Democrat-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva on the grounds that the former PM was deemed to be damaging the country while living abroad.

Thaksin’s diplomatic passport, often issued to senior government officials particularly prime ministers, had been revoked since December 2008.

In supporting his decision, Surapong had told the media that he and the Pheu Thai-led government at that time had agreed that Thaksin’s presence overseas did not cause any damage to Thailand or foreign countries and revoked the Democrat-led government’s order.

Responding to a question as to why Thaksin had to be issued two passports, government figures at that time explained that it was not unusual for individuals to have more than one passport if they needed them. They pointed to people who had to travel abroad frequently, such as diplomats, businesspeople, sports people and flight attendants, as sometimes needing more than one passport.

Thaksin has lived in self-exile overseas after fleeing the country in 2008. Later that year, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced him in absentia to two years in jail for abuse of power while in office.

Complaints were filed with the NACC against Surapong after the reissuance of the passports to Thaksin.

The complainants sought the impeachment of then foreign minister Surapong, and then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Ombudsman’s Office had requested Yingluck to review the decision to reissue the passport to Thaksin. The agency had argued that the government’s action was not in line with proper procedures, as Thaksin was ineligible for new passports because he was wanted by authorities and was prohibited from leaving the country.

After the coup in May 2014, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, under then foreign minister General Tanasak Patimapagorn, revoked Thaksin’s two ordinary passports in May 2015. The revocation came after the ex-PM severely criticised the new administration and Thailand in an interview with foreign media.

The ministry explained that the revocation came after a suggestion by security agencies, which deemed Thaksin’s action a threat to national security and an attempt to damage the country’s reputation and dignity.

However, as a Thai national, Thaksin still has the right to return to Thailand although he no longer carries a Thai passport.