greedisgood Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Thai sex tycoon-turned-politician denied US visa August 18, 2005 Bangkok - A flamboyant Thai sex industry tycoon who became a member of Parliament confirmed Thursday he has been denied a visa to the United States, saying he may have been barred for formerly running a string of massage parlors. Chuwit Kamolvisit, an MP and deputy leader of the Chart Thai Party, applied for a visa along with members of a parliamentary police and drugs suppression committee. The other committee members got the visas last month but Chuwit didn't. RELATED LINKS: Baron of porn spills it all Thai sex industry tycoon set to test premier's grip on power Pimp running in Thai governor election In a telephone interview, Chuwit said he believed the ban may be due to either his outspoken demands that an American museum return a precious Thai crown or his previous ownership of massage parlors. "The United States has totally closed the door for me. I am a small Thai man, I can't do anything to fight against the giant American," Chuwit said. US Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment. The embassy never comments on exactly why visa applications are rejected but sometimes cites provisions of the Immigration Act outlining reasons for barring applicants. Chuwit was a major player in Thailand's vast sex industry for years before coming out to expose police officers who demanded huge bribes for turning a blind eye to his business. Several police officers were suspended or transferred to inactive positions after his exposures. He later sold his massage parlors - which are legal in Thailand but often act as fronts for illegal prostitution - and turned to politics, winning a parliamentary seat in January's general election. Early this year, a court also acquitted him on charges of forcing underage women into the sex trade. The United States closely monitors the trafficking of underage women in Southeast Asia. In a parliamentary debate in July, Chuwit said he had just previously flown to the United States to gather evidence on a corruption case. But in the interview he said his last US trip had been in February this year. Chuwit has joined other Thai protesters demanding the return of a pure gold, 5-kilogram, 19-centimeter-tall crown -- which has recently been on exhibit at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco -- that may have been stolen during a 1956 heist at a temple in central Thailand. The US Embassy in Bangkok has previously rejected visas for senior Thai officials suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal activities, but there is no record of individuals being barred for merely taking part in anti-American protests. http://www.asiansexgazette.com/asg/southeast_asia/southeast06news07.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 wonder what role has the influence of the current Thai government on the US embassy to make it more difficult for unwanted politicians of the opposition to travel to USA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 I think that' s the tycoon with the Chart Thai red sledge hammer and the founder of the People Park at Sukh., Soi 10, right? I'ts the 2nd guy from the Thai parliament who can not become a US-Visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lazyphil Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 The face loss must be unbearable LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 yep, right! who was the first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krml Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Well it does state on visa petitions that prostitution will get you denied. He was a kingpin in this area. I don't think even being a politician will help on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 following your argumentation, then also all active and former higher police and aarmy officers should be banned from entering the USA, as both institutions are heavily involved in prostitution (among other activities of the black economy). this would include several members of the current government including the PM himself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 The odd thing about this is that Chuwit studied in the States after he graduated from Thamasat. If I remember correctly, he had an American wife but is now divorced from her. I would suspect that a certain very high ranking Thai political figure may be using some influence here ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 well. if they are openly or knowledgeably known as offenders, according to US immigration laws, they will be barred. I don't think the laws take in account illegal enrichment from business or financial practices, not concerned with drugs, prostitution or defrauding the mighty USA. Just to bar a high politician or officer because "of course" he has to be corrupted and involved in criminal activities, being a thai inpower won't do. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 samak said:yep, right! who was the first? i forgot who it was, it's about 4 years ago, it was a cabinet minister, the US said he has something to do with drug business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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