Politics not involved in visa given to Thaksin : US ambassador

The issuing of a visa for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was done under United States laws and had no bearing on domestic politics in Thailand, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said Tuesday.

Commenting on Thaksin's ongoing visit to the US, Kenney said every year some 50,000 Thai citizens receive visas granted in strict compliance with existing laws and regulations.

She said the US was honoured to have bilateral cooperation with Thailand on extradition and criminal assistance.

She noted that the US had always responded to Thai government requests made under the two legal agreements, hinting that there had been no extradition request in Thaksin's case.

She ruled out any adverse implications, saying the visa granted to Thaksin was not a political issue.