Thai Govt Overlooks Robert Amsterdam's Attempt To Slam Its Credibility

[webfact]

Govt overlooks Robert Amsterdam´s attempt to slam its credibility

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government ignores false statements spread by Robert Amsterdam, a lawyer acting on behalf of the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday presided over a chief meeting at the Ministry of Science and Technology’s head office. He gave an interview following Mr Amsterdam's attempt to attack the government’s stability.

According to Mr Abhisit, Mr Amsterdam has always attempted to discredit the Thai government during interviews with foreign correspondents. He was often found at the back of the main rally stage of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, distorting facts about protesters and claiming that they were unarmed.

Many of his doubtful statements have drawn a lot of questions about his credibility. However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

-- NNT 2010-06-14

[Rucharee]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

[d0om4gloom]

Isn't it funny how in the depth of the crisis the Thai media could no longer sustain being so one sided. Now that the leaders and many others have been arrested without charge, the government and media can turn again to it's single minded pursuit of one man ! Attack the foreign reporters for not saying the right thing and attack the uneducated for being stupid. Thaksin wouldn't stand a chance in his quest to destroy all if this government would just get on with the job in hand instead of all this rhetoric

[Gatorade]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

Why not? He is an enemy of the State dedicated to the overthrow of the Govt by whatever means necessary.

[slapout]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

I think they have their sights on several dozen if the arrest warrants are any indication. The "old pincer movement", go for the head/mouth, the gonads, and cut the feet from under them, so they can not run and finally box them in for the kill. PM Abhisit seems to be successfully handling several items of importance and apparently this lobbyist deserves zero importance on his priority scale.

[mazeltov]

...

PM Abhisit seems to be successfully handling several items of importance and apparently this lobbyist deserves zero importance on his priority scale.

EXACTLY!

Same for today at the Ministry of Science and Technology: PM Abhisit handles several items of importance on his priority scale.

[animatic]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

If the shoe fits...

kick him with it.

With out Thaksin's machinations, there would be no comments true or ludacris

from the lobbist of the moment.

Some would like you to think that 5-10 minute photo ops are tearing too much time from the head of states agenda.

But this is no different than any head of state's day, and 15 seconds out the door he is being briefed on

the next thing on the days agenda.

A PM, any PM, has dozens of things to do in any 2 hour block, and never is there enough time.

But showing the flag for different segments of the country's functions, including science, is part of the job description.

Heck they even allow them to eat, sleep and kiss the wife from time to time. Some would call that a waste of time too.

Edited June 14, 2010 by animatic

[kek]

Based on his previous spoutings, I would have thought that Amsterdam could be prosecuted for that old Thai favourite 'Defamation'.

I believe that is worth 2 years in the nick

[souvenirdeparis]

@Mazeltov

"""Same for today at the Ministry of Science and Technology: PM Abhisit handles several items of importance on his priority scale.""

He means to show life goes on as usual because life does go on as usual and the Thaï need some reassurance about this .There are universities and factories and what not in decent working order , the riots didn't succeed in destroying all of Thaïland .The pictures only show he's a professional politician with the average spin-off advisors, nothing to be blamed about.

@Animatic

you can type faster than me

Edited June 14, 2010 by souvenirdeparis

[Heng]

I know if I'm ignoring someone, I wouldn't hold a press conference about it.

[sharecropper]

I don't know the answer to this, and I am generally anti-Thaksin, but I am assuming Robert Amsterdam is a reasonably international, intelligent kind of bloke, and a man of man of business, so I find it exrtremely unlikely that:

According to Mr Abhisit, Mr Amsterdam has always attempted to discredit the Thai government during interviews with foreign correspondents. He was often found at the back of the main rally stage of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, distorting facts about protesters and claiming that they were unarmed.

Is this just more unchallenged rubbish?

[tig28]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

Why not? He is an enemy of the State dedicated to the overthrow of the Govt by whatever means necessary.

An "enemy of the state" who was elected as PM by the Thai people. First in 2001---then again in 2005 ----He was only ousted by a coup in 2006 (just before scheduled national elections!!) .. Yep!!! You certainly have it right .... how dare he ???.

Then in 2007.....after the Junta had deployed every weapon at their disposal to defeat him and his (new) party ..... what happens ?? The PPP wins the next election --- by a landslide -- they were just 14 seats short of an absolute majority !! Again ... how dare he??

Why on earth should this "enemy of the State" feel he has the right to attempt to remove the Democrats ... who have not won an election in living memory. It seems totally amazing.

[animatic]

Having won and election in the past,

doesn't precluding someone becoming an enemy of the state in the future.

[JLester]

Having won and election in the past,

doesn't precluding someone becoming an enemy of the state in the future.

This example was hugely popular as a fresh face for clean politics

before evolving into

and who ruled with an iron fist for over 2 decades.

Very reminiscent of TRT Party's pledge to rule for 20 years.

[tig28]

Having won and election in the past,

doesn't precluding someone becoming an enemy of the state in the future.

No animatic it certainly does not!!! But being the victim of a coup absolutely guarantees it !!

And it was several elections!!--- those Thai voters really don't know what is good for them do they?

[philw]

Having won and election in the past,

doesn't precluding someone becoming an enemy of the state in the future.

This example was hugely popular as a fresh face for clean politics

before evolving into

and who ruled with an iron fist for over 2 decades.

Very reminiscent of TRT Party's pledge to rule for 20 years.

I would previously have agreed with you and it was my opinion 7-8 years ago that Thaksin was certainly Marcos in the making, however, given current government pronouncements, the uncertainties surrounding that which cannot be spoken and many other rather large straws in the wind ( sorry no video evidence ), I think your analogy may soon also apply to the Democrats here.

ph

[JLester]

Having won and election in the past,

doesn't precluding someone becoming an enemy of the state in the future.

This example was hugely popular as a fresh face for clean politics

before evolving into

and who ruled with an iron fist for over 2 decades.

Very reminiscent of TRT Party's pledge to rule for 20 years.

I would previously have agreed with you and it was my opinion 7-8 years ago that Thaksin was certainly Marcos in the making, however, given current government pronouncements, the uncertainties surrounding that which cannot be spoken and many other rather large straws in the wind ( sorry no video evidence ), I think your analogy may soon also apply to the Democrats here.

The similarities of Marcos and Shinawatra rise to their pinnacles is infinitely more closer than any other Thai politician or political party.

In terms of their subsequent wealth, non-judicial slayings, and long-term dictatorial strategies as well as their family structure and personalities, the two despotic families are uncannily and eerily similar.

Edited June 15, 2010 by JLester

[slapout]

Thaksin, if given similar time in power as Marcos, could have probably made the latter look like a boy scout, working for his eagle patch.

[scorecard]

Isn't it funny how in the depth of the crisis the Thai media could no longer sustain being so one sided. Now that the leaders and many others have been arrested without charge, the government and media can turn again to it's single minded pursuit of one man ! Attack the foreign reporters for not saying the right thing and attack the uneducated for being stupid. Thaksin wouldn't stand a chance in his quest to destroy all if this government would just get on with the job in hand instead of all this rhetoric

Disagree on several counts:

- Thai media was not 'one sided', there was plenty of broad coverage, comments etc., by jatuporn and his gang were reported often. But it is true that the media often took the govt side because the govt. side is the one of reason and moral value, and purpose to move forward.

- "Arrested without charge". Totally incorrect and you should have be more honest. Charges have been laid against the red shirt leaders.

- "Single minded pursuit of one man". Well they government is doing a lot lot more than that and you might like to realize that a very large percentage of Thais know very well that the greed and ego of one man is behind all of these peoblems and he should be pursued.

- "Attack the foreign reporters for saying the wrong thing". Again wrong, there was was prompt ans severe outcry from many Thai people about inaccurate foreign reporters before the government made any comment. Personally I believe that CNN, BBC and more were very derelict in their reporting and should apologize for their lack of proper analysis in many of the incidents.

- "Attach the uneductaed for being stupid" I challenage you to rpovide one example of where PM Abhisit or his ministers of staff made any such comment. Again you write things which are untruthful and you should be ashamed of doing this.

- If you took the time to take a look, the Abhiist government have been doing a lot and for a long time to move Thailand to a much better picture of quality of life / better more equitable share of wealth for all Thais. And through proper policy to bring this about in a sustainable way so it becomes enbedded in the way Thailand works and exists, and not through one time occasional handouts. And if we go back to the comments about the Thai media, well I'll criticize them for not providing accurate and balanced reporting on this subject.

If the government ignored all of this stuff ignored thaksin they would be criticized for not paying attention to this subject. This is a no win for the governemnt, damned if you do talk about, damned if you don't talk about it.

[rogerdee123]

I don't know the answer to this, and I am generally anti-Thaksin, but I am assuming Robert Amsterdam is a reasonably international, intelligent kind of bloke, and a man of man of business, so I find it exrtremely unlikely that:

According to Mr Abhisit, Mr Amsterdam has always attempted to discredit the Thai government during interviews with foreign correspondents. He was often found at the back of the main rally stage of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, distorting facts about protesters and claiming that they were unarmed.

Is this just more unchallenged rubbish?

No not really "unchallenged rubbish".

If you have seen Mr. Amsterdam in his TV interviews you would understand the comment about him attempting to discredit the Thai Govt with foreign correspondents.

I know he was behind the rally stage sometimes .... I really don't know about how "often" it was .... but again this statement is not "unchallenged rubbish"

What do you mean by "more unchallenged rubbish" ? Can you give us an example ?

[rogerdee123]

I know if I'm ignoring someone, I wouldn't hold a press conference about it.

Yes indeed I wouldn't either.

But the reality is that Abhisit's statement wasn't at a press conference ... it came up in an interview by the press when Abhisit was at the Science and Technology function ... nothing to do with Amsterdam. My guess is a reporter asked the question and Abhisit answered it. It's true I don't really know if a reporter asked the question .... but the implication/assumption that Abhisit has a press conference to discuss Amsterdam is not correct.

[eggomaniac]

Isn't it funny how in the depth of the crisis the Thai media could no longer sustain being so one sided. Now that the leaders and many others have been arrested without charge, the government and media can turn again to it's single minded pursuit of one man ! Attack the foreign reporters for not saying the right thing and attack the uneducated for being stupid. Thaksin wouldn't stand a chance in his quest to destroy all if this government would just get on with the job in hand instead of all this rhetoric

Disagree on several counts:

- Thai media was not 'one sided', there was plenty of broad coverage, comments etc., by jatuporn and his gang were reported often. But it is true that the media often took the govt side because the govt. side is the one of reason and moral value, and purpose to move forward.

- "Arrested without charge". Totally incorrect and you should have be more honest. Charges have been laid against the red shirt leaders.

- "Single minded pursuit of one man". Well they government is doing a lot lot more than that and you might like to realize that a very large percentage of Thais know very well that the greed and ego of one man is behind all of these peoblems and he should be pursued.

- "Attack the foreign reporters for saying the wrong thing". Again wrong, there was was prompt ans severe outcry from many Thai people about inaccurate foreign reporters before the government made any comment. Personally I believe that CNN, BBC and more were very derelict in their reporting and should apologize for their lack of proper analysis in many of the incidents.

- "Attach the uneductaed for being stupid" I challenage you to rpovide one example of where PM Abhisit or his ministers of staff made any such comment. Again you write things which are untruthful and you should be ashamed of doing this.

- If you took the time to take a look, the Abhiist government have been doing a lot and for a long time to move Thailand to a much better picture of quality of life / better more equitable share of wealth for all Thais. And through proper policy to bring this about in a sustainable way so it becomes enbedded in the way Thailand works and exists, and not through one time occasional handouts. And if we go back to the comments about the Thai media, well I'll criticize them for not providing accurate and balanced reporting on this subject.

If the government ignored all of this stuff ignored thaksin they would be criticized for not paying attention to this subject. This is a no win for the governemnt, damned if you do talk about, damned if you don't talk about it.

According to the definition of the crime of terrorism, among civilised countries, therefore not Thailand, was committed by Sondhi and others and they are, not only free but dictating policy from the drivers and sitting as Cabinet Ministers. If Thailand can NOT understand that all of the Yellow propgonda will NEVER blind fold the World, they should, then, have enough brains to invite advisors from Burma and North Korea on how to 'handle' internal affairs.

It is injustice that the those who terrorised International travellers are not rotting in cells. Do you think the folks whose children are still having night mares subsribe to the Nation???

Either smarten up or close the doors to the World!!!

Following this approach, the international community has adopted the following sectoral counter-terrorism conventions, open to the ratification of all states:

• The 1963 Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed On Board Aircraft
• The 1970 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft
• The 1971 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation
• The 1979 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
• The 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation
• The 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation
• The 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf
• The 1991 Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Identification
• The 1997 International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.
• The 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism
• The 2005 International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

Idiot respondent who will say it was not a 'violent' take over, name ONE civilised nation where the perps would not be doing hard time?

<< Yooo HOO, you never read the question? Violence is determined by the effect on the victims. What countries would NOT fully prosecute such actions?\

Get Thaksin YES,,,, get Sondhi TOO!!!

I wish we were still allowed to polls on TV>

A. T is a saint and hero, S is sinner and a criminal

B. S is a saint and hero, T is sinner and a criminal

C. They both should be behind bars, along with anybody who listens to their rubbish, preferably in the same cell, so they could regale each other about 'the good old days..

Any answer other than C, would not register for points on an IQ test!

Thailand, easily, has the potential to be a G30 Nation but it is impossible to find anyone with any power and influence who was not born and bread and eating in the best reatraunts from the corruption influenced system that the Khana Ratsadon brought back from France.

Among the 95% of Thais who are good, hard working, lovers of life, who would support the eradication of corruption, fair elections and stable 4 year Terms of office, it's a Catch 33 thingy that they, of course, don't hold power. It's just dumb bad look that one the good people in Thailand who does have some influence is 'only a woman', as Thailand is even behind America when it comes to accepting women as leaders.

[warfie]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

hmmmm..... I wonder why......

[warfie]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

Why not? He is an enemy of the State dedicated to the overthrow of the Govt by whatever means necessary.

An "enemy of the state" who was elected as PM by bought the Thai people. First in 2001---then again in 2005 ----He quit and overstayed his tenure as temp, his only duty was to organise new elections, which he failed to do so he was only ousted by a coup in 2006 (just before scheduled national elections!! too late, he had several months to do this one thing, but he just didn't bother) .. Yep!!! You certainly have it right .... how dare he ???.

Then in 2007.....after the Junta had deployed every weapon at their disposal to defeat him and his (new) party ..... what happens ?? The PPP wins buys the next election --- by a landslide -- they were just 14 seats short of an absolute majority so close and yet so far... even with vote buying they couldn't get an absolute majority... how embarrassing!!! !! Again ... how dare he?? Simple... the supreme arrogance of this turd knows no bounds!

Why on earth should this "enemy of the State" feel he has the right to attempt to remove the Democrats ... who have not won an election in living memory depends how recently you were born... guess you came down in the last shower. It seems totally amazing.

totally pointless, I know... but I get sick to death of reading the same misinformed garbage over and over... sometimes I can't help but respond, even though I know that it falls on deaf ears... kind of like the &lt;deleted&gt; who, when warned of wet paint, has to touch it...

[scorecard]

However, according to Mr. Abhisit, the government would rather focus on prosecuting Mr Thaksin, rather than his lobbyist.

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

Why not? He is an enemy of the State dedicated to the overthrow of the Govt by whatever means necessary.

An "enemy of the state" who was elected as PM by the Thai people. First in 2001---then again in 2005 ----He was only ousted by a coup in 2006 (just before scheduled national elections!!) .. Yep!!! You certainly have it right .... how dare he ???.

Then in 2007.....after the Junta had deployed every weapon at their disposal to defeat him and his (new) party ..... what happens ?? The PPP wins the next election --- by a landslide -- they were just 14 seats short of an absolute majority !! Again ... how dare he??

Why on earth should this "enemy of the State" feel he has the right to attempt to remove the Democrats ... who have not won an election in living memory. It seems totally amazing.

Nice attempt at spin, but not successful. 0 out of 10 in regard to reporting the real facts of the sitaution

[kissdani]

The Abhisit govt discredit itself. Ignoring foreign media and opinion will not do much help to gain credibility.

[chuang]

According to Mr Abhisit, Mr Amsterdam has always attempted to discredit the Thai government during interviews with foreign correspondents. He was often found at the back of the main rally stage of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, distorting facts about protesters and claiming that they were unarmed.

Is this just more unchallenged rubbish?

Ahbishit, why not charge him with lese majeste....

[elliss]

Exactly. The whole of this government is after one man. Guss who.

are they really ?????

why no interpol ...request ..

it,s just a smoke screen ,

looks good on paper .

[rubl]

...

PM Abhisit seems to be successfully handling several items of importance and apparently this lobbyist deserves zero importance on his priority scale.

EXACTLY!

Same for today at the Ministry of Science and Technology: PM Abhisit handles several items of importance on his priority scale.

-- link to photo's removed, no need to show again --

Dear Mazeltov, your remark suggest you like to ignore the fact that a PM has several official duties. K. Abhisit may have had to limit the non-too-essencial ones for a while, but now he's on a full agenda again. I wonder how many hours of sleep he gets every day. Less than you probably.

[scorecard]

Amsterdam and knopps have been quiet some quite a while, wonder what that means:

- Has thaksin sacked them?

- Are they incapable of some twisted / destructive comment right now?

- Are we in for an amsterdam / knoops onslaught but they are deliberately biding their time to link to some upcoming event?

Comments?