Thaksin To Attend Human Rights Violation Hearing In US

[Scott]

Numerous posts have been deleted and continued seriously off-topic posts are going to earn posters a posting holiday. Here are some things to avoid:

1. Aberrant spelling of names

2. Discussion of English language and grammar

3. The motives of other posters

Please stay on-topic and adhere to forum rules.

[ianbaggie]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

And what if not? Will you feel ashamed?

Extradition should be based on the individual case and the law and not seen as a trading business. Some people seems to have an odd understanding of justice and legal proceedings.

Another blinding post from red shirt Sergeiy - he must be hoping Khun t will return and put behind bars those nasty men who extradited that nice man Victor Bout - his countryman - if only you understood the posts on the forum SergeiY!!

[Nisa]

Thaksin, Facing Thai Terror Charge, Doesn't Fear U.S. Arrest, Lawyer Says

Thaksin Shinawatra, a former Thai prime minister who faces a terrorism charge in Thailand, is unconcerned about a possible arrest during a planned visit to the U.S. next week, spokesman Noppadon Pattama said. "We appreciate the risk but he decided to go" and testify before a U.S. government human rights commission, Noppadon said by phone today. "There shouldn't be any problem."

The testimony before the committee of U.S. congressional representatives gives Thaksin a platform to explain protests from his supporters earlier this year that led to at least 89 deaths. Thailand's government has charged him with terrorism for his role in supporting the protests. "This is an independent U.S. entity, not part of the U.S. government as such," Thani Thongpakdi, Thai foreign ministry spokesman, said by phone. "We're confident that the U.S. will understand what happened at the time."

Thaksin plans to present evidence to the commission about human rights violations during the protests and detail his views on reconciliation, Noppadon said.

"We hope that with fuller evidence and details given by our side, U.S. congressmen and Senators will know the truth and understand the present political situation better," he said. "We hope that we would gain some support and sympathy."

Continues:

http://www.bloomberg...awyer-says.html

Bloomberg - December 7, 2010

How is Thaksin going to talk about Human Rights Violations during the protests when he wasn't even there and claims to have had nothing to do with the protests???????????????????

[animatic]

Well Congressman Ed Markey has gotten a quick note;

Synopsis:

Research Thaksin more before you hear him speak.

Ask who finances the DAAD UDD and Redshirt rallies.

Ask about Tak Bai and Drug War quotas and deaths.

[Pi Sek]

I wonder how many emails [email protected] will get.

She's got one from me, anyway.

[otherstuff1957]

I wouldn't be surprised if this appointment is the result of Robert Amsterdam's lobbying efforts. After all, he (Amsterdam) is supposed to have links with the CIA and could very well have set this up by calling in a favor for past services rendered.

Regardless of how it was set up, it will be perceived as a slap in the face by the Thai government , especially after they cooperated with the US in the Victor Bout affair. US- Thai relations will probably take a rather frosty turn after Thaksin's testimony.

[Buchholz]

the American house will allow a invited guest to be arrested and expelled to Thailand.

anyone with one more braincell

Thaksin isn't an invited guest to the House as anyone that can read would know.

[Buchholz]

I wouldn't be surprised if this appointment is the result of Robert Amsterdam's lobbying efforts.

The invitation letter being sent to Amsterdam's office and referencing Amsterdam's charges against Abhisit as the thrust of their initiative for the meeting certainly casts Amsterdam front and center in all of this.

[LomSak27]

Given Amsterdam’s activities and spotty past, there has been speculation that he is on the CIA or MI5 payroll. Given Amsterdam’s level of contacts worldwide and his strange background prior to 2003, this is a

legitimate question. Such a direct link, however, seems unlikely

Ahh direct from PAD's own website and I might add not one shred of verified evidence that he has a gnats ahir of connection to MI5 or the CIA - but as this is an accusation/speculation you need not one piece of fluffs worth of evidence.

And again they did not cooperate with the US - they told the US one thing then they kept Viktour for two years so milk money out of the soviets (see wiki leaks)All of this said it's down to 5/1 he will ever step foot in the US. Must be a slow news day or its from The Nation; that bastion of the free press.

[Pi Sek]

My email...

Dear Ms. Shelly Han,

I'm sure you have received many emails on this subject, but please add my voice to those questioning the invitation to Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra from Mr. Benjamin L. Cardin to speak on alleged human rights abuses on the part of the Thai government during April-May 2010.

I do not expect an answer, but I would like your organisation to think about two critical points:

The first question is what evidence would Mr. Thaksin be able to provide, as he was not present in person during said "abuses"? Any statement he would be able to give would be based on hearsay.

The second question is, given his atrocious record of human rights abuses whilst he was in power, what kind of authority on human rights is Mr. Thaksin?

Your invitation to him specifically mentioned freedom of the press, freedom of expression, the Thai government's effort to clam the insurgency in the South, "the human rights situation" and a "free and fair election process". Any research into Mr. Thaksin's tenure as Prime Minister will clearly show that none of these are even periphally important to Mr. Thaksin, and his organisation's demands show that the premise of "democracy" is of no significance as they are essentially calling for the return of Thaksin's ability to pillage the country without recourse to the Law.

Thank you for your time and please accept this email as an intention to contribute to civic duty. Please also feel free to contact me by reply should you request any further comment.

Yours faithfully,

<deleted>

[animatic]

It is noted this 'invitation' went to Thaksin's Washington address,

and that means his PR lobbying firm, Baker, Bott & etc, if memory serves, consisting of ex. senators, cabinet members, including Bush crony, Trilateral Commission and Carlisle Group member, former Bush Sr. Sec State James Baker, and a phalanx of ex. congressional aides and lobbyists, who will make deals if the price is right. Money talks, and truth is not always money's main consideration.

So yet another PR move by Thaksin, this is likely not just something the committee thought up on their own.

The invite was sent to the Amsterdam PR group and seems it was directly related to the Amsterdam group filing charges against Abhisit with the ICC.

Still, it's rather humorous that they are limiting him to under 10 minutes of their time.

Hardly worth a 13 hour flight from Abu Dhabi.

Ah, well thanks for the update.

It would appear Baker Bott, et al no longer wants him as a client...

I wonder why they might find him embarrassing to lobby for?

Seems a damned hampster would not have as much moral fiber as New World Order Bush cronies.

[jayboy]

I wonder how many emails [email protected] will get.

She's got one from me, anyway.

I have seen it below.It's not bad at all, mainly well balanced (apart from the sentence I discuss below) and free of hysteria.It is also accurate as far as I can see.

I think however it would have been even better if you had rephrased the part:

"and his organisation's demands show that the premise of "democracy" is of no significance as they are essentially calling for the return of Thaksin's ability to pillage the country without recourse to the Law."

because you here move from an impressive cool recitation of facts to a logically disjointed and slightly weird subjectivity which is out of synch with the rest of the letter, as well as being plain wrong.

[Grey11]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

The U.S. and Thailand do have an extradition treaty. However, I really don't believe the present government wants Thaksin here in Thailand, even if in jail. Surely there would be a revolution to free him from prison and this time Bangkok and most of Thailand would be burned to the ground. You can bet all government buildings in northern & northeastern Thailand would be looted and burned.

As we learned when the terrorist Red Shirts occupied Bangkok for almost three months, the military is weak and cannot be trusted. There are far too many Red Shirts & other Issan peasants in the military. The police are infiltrated with Thaksinites also. As long as Thaksin lives he will spend every waking hour, every dollar (baht) trying to ruin the reputation of this country. Any other country would have done away with him a long time ago.

[LomSak27]

The problem is Thaksin connections to the Tri-lateral commision, the Masonic order and the NKVD.

[animatic]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

The U.S. and Thailand do have an extradition treaty. However, I really don't believe the present government wants Thaksin here in Thailand, even if in jail. Surely there would be a revolution to free him from prison and this time Bangkok and most of Thailand would be burned to the ground. You can bet all government buildings in northern & northeastern Thailand would be looted and burned.

As we learned when the terrorist Red Shirts occupied Bangkok for almost three months, the military is weak and cannot be trusted. There are far too many Red Shirts & other Issan peasants in the military. The police are infiltrated with Thaksinites also. As long as Thaksin lives he will spend every waking hour, every dollar (baht) trying to ruin the reputation of this country. Any other country would have done away with him a long time ago.

If the Canadian Saxena extradition and Thaksin's large amounts of cash are any indication,

they will hold him for quite some time, likely with a ankle radio if he gets house arrest.

8 years to get Saxena, and he didn't have a great life while waiting.

Yhaksin's ego would eat itself alive.

Not to mention that having the USA actually hold Thaksin on the charges WOULD

indicate there is enough validity for them to do so, and is a major face slap for Thaksin.

Let the extradition hearings drag out for several years,

It keeps him away and limits his credibility for the gullible.

Edited December 8, 2010 by animatic

[animatic]

The problem is Thaksin connections to the Tri-lateral commision, the Masonic order and the NKVD.

More like wanna be connections.

[LomSak27]

Let the extradition hearings drag out for several years,

It keeps him away and limits his credibility for the gullible.

In all seriousness, and I don't think anything about this ThakTempest in a teapot is serious. The US would never allow him into the country if there is a remote chance that anything like that scenario might take place. They have bigger problems to deal with than tin pot Thaksinator and his enemies.

[Grey11]

Thaksin regarded it as a good occasion to provide the United States with the other side of the story of what had taken place in April and May, the Thai government having already given information to the US administration and Congress.

Pretty sure the "other" side of the story needs to be told by the other side. Does Thaksin think he'll do a better job than D. Rivers?

Asked whether Thaksin would be able to attend, Thani said it was up to the US authorities to decide whether to allow him into the country.

Asked whether Thailand would seek his extradition if the former prime minister entered the country, Thani said the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) would be responsible for making such a decision.

However, Sirisak Tiyapan, director of the OAG's International Affairs Department, said it would be for the Foreign Ministry and the Police Commission to request extradition. Unless the two agencies made such a request, the OAG has no authority to do anything, he said.

"The Foreign Ministry and the police have done nothing [in this regard] so far," he said.

This crap makes me nauseous.

Maybe just pull it together and arrest him and do your jobs.

Certainly Dan Rivers was in the pocket of Thaksin & his Red Shirt terrorists. Most one-side reporting I have ever seen. I always knew - by living in the U.S. until two years ago - that CNN was a very unreliable source of "news." But, I had believed the BBC to be a little more accurate with it reporting. But after the Red Shirts occupation of Bangkok, I now know the BBC is as bad as CNN and set out from the beginning taking the side of the violent revolutionists (Thaksinites). No reporting was more pro-Thaksin, more UDD, more PTP, more full of lies and anti-government than was the reporting of Dan Rivers. I saw the little scumbag somewhere in the Middle East on TV just the other day. As much money as Thaksin paid him I would think he could retire comfortably in his mansion in northern Thailand. CNN International and the BBC along with Dan Rivers are disgraceful!

[LomSak27]

Thaksin has always been fond of the Masons, masonery opens doors. No doubt if he did get accepted, it would calm him right down. He may have been on edge in recent years but I bet if he was a mason, he'd buy a house in Hendon and just sit back and not get in anyone's way.

[TheyCallmeScooter]

Certainly Dan Rivers was in the pocket of Thaksin & his Red Shirt terrorists. Most one-side reporting I have ever seen. I always knew - by living in the U.S. until two years ago - that CNN was a very unreliable source of "news." But, I had believed the BBC to be a little more accurate with it reporting. But after the Red Shirts occupation of Bangkok, I now know the BBC is as bad as CNN and set out from the beginning taking the side of the violent revolutionists (Thaksinites). No reporting was more pro-Thaksin, more UDD, more PTP, more full of lies and anti-government than was the reporting of Dan Rivers. I saw the little scumbag somewhere in the Middle East on TV just the other day. As much money as Thaksin paid him I would think he could retire comfortably in his mansion in northern Thailand. CNN International and the BBC along with Dan Rivers are disgraceful!

I find that VERY hard to believe (that Rivers was in their pocket). In fact, it's almost not remotely plausible (that I can see, anyway). He couldn't get away with it if it was something like that. It was an Editorial decision, and I suspect, one made WAY above any actual editors. There is powerful stuff going on the world of which I had no clue even existed pre-April. I still have no clue, but I see the patterns and the media are corporations for profit, and the corporation sets the mandate now.

I just had no idea pre-April. I'm a liberal, almost socialist in ideals. CNN were fractionally too balanced / centre for me but with FOX News on the other side, CNN could do very little wrong in my eyes. Until April/May when my eyes were opened. I couldn't believe what I was watching. One the 1 in million chance someone would read it and figure it was worth just at least assessing for validity, I even sent CNN a long list of facts (with all respectable sources like TIME.com - which is owned by CNN! - not sure how that plays into my corporation mandate theory actually hmm) which basically proved Rivers was just speaking fiction, for the most part.

As time wore on, and CNN / BBC persisted with their little narrative despite the growing outcry, mostly just ignoring anything negative like the children involved, I got disgusted and disillusioned. A friend later said something like "CNN is even worse than FOX. FOX News is ridiculous but it's blatantly so, it's a joke. They're not the enemy. CNN are so slick, they seem so rational and objective always, but just CREATING truth in their reports, bending the world their way - THEY are the real danger."

Then Huffington Post starts deleting any rational responses I post to counter Amsterdam's ludicrous attacks on Thailand and comparing Abhisit to Mugabe and just...would be so ridiculous, almost laughable, except these are POWERFUL media sources and they're killing truth and censoring HRW / Amnesty links & quotes. I want to know why! I can hypothesise scenarios where they're playing long game for a noble cause of some kind (at least perceived by them). I freaking hope it's that as opposed to the obvious suspicion: $$$. That would be sad. And twisted. HuffPost & CNN are supposed to be the good guys. Who are the good guys if they are not?

[animatic]

Let the extradition hearings drag out for several years,

It keeps him away and limits his credibility for the gullible.

In all seriousness, and I don't think anything about this ThakTempest in a teapot is serious. The US would never allow him into the country if there is a remote chance that anything like that scenario might take place. They have bigger problems to deal with than tin pot Thaksinator and his enemies.

Not really, they would just let him in and then let mid level prosecutors do their job.

Possibly with instructions to not be quick about it.

Besides the moment he lands he is in their hands,

and they can easily just lock him up in immigration hell for some time.

[Buchholz]

Let the extradition hearings drag out for several years,

It keeps him away and limits his credibility for the gullible.

In all seriousness, and I don't think anything about this ThakTempest in a teapot is serious. The US would never allow him into the country if there is a remote chance that anything like that scenario might take place. They have bigger problems to deal with than tin pot Thaksinator and his enemies.

Not really, they would just let him in and then let mid level prosecutors do their job.

Possibly with instructions to not be quick about it.

Besides the moment he lands he is in their hands,

and they can easily just lock him up in immigration hell for some time.

If he is taken in, he would be processed at the Immigration Detention Center assigned for the area covering Washington, DC.

Rappahannock Regional Jail

Stafford, Virginia

While it may look pleasant enough on the outside, the inside looks a bit less desirable.

.

[SergeiY]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

And what if not? Will you feel ashamed?

Extradition should be based on the individual case and the law and not seen as a trading business. Some people seems to have an odd understanding of justice and legal proceedings.

Another blinding post from red shirt Sergeiy - he must be hoping Khun t will return and put behind bars those nasty men who extradited that nice man Victor Bout - his countryman - if only you understood the posts on the forum SergeiY!!

What is your point?

Even the PM said there is no swapping Bout for Thaksin

[LomSak27]

animatic jotted

Not really, they would just let him in and then let mid level prosecutors do their job.

Possibly with instructions to not be quick about it.

Besides the moment he lands he is in their hands,

and they can easily just lock him up in immigration hell for some time.

Unfortunatly Obama - the US - All, would be in a situation where they can lose but not really win.

Thai newspapers and media will go ape excrement if a real extradition request is made and the US is put on the spot; refuses, says it is not valid, punts (US usage intended), or they send him over(!) Why would anyone in their right mind allow this to happen?!! If a presidential staff flunky lets it happen and then a brouha erupts this guy is going to be fired, along with his staff and likely more heads would roll for being idiots.

Thaksin provided services for jr bush, albeit for hard cash. The US goverment no matter how they feel about THAKs does not want to be the ones caught in the middle doing the current Thai goverments dirty work and taking the blame from 60 or 40 percent (depending on the side PO'd) of the populace. That is a lose lose situation if you are in DC - or any other capitol city in Europe, (The Balkans are actually located in the orient, its true)

People in the US, DC and the Thai community in LA do not feel the same about Thaksin as the Expat community here at Thaivisa does ... shock, gasp, horor. More than that given the past history of thai goverments why on earth would they align thmselves with a faction; The Dems and PAD in this case, when Thailand can change tomorrow and this is the historical tradition of this country - goverments come and go

[Buchholz]

People in the US, DC and the Thai community in LA do not feel the same about Thaksin as the Expat community here at Thaivisa does ...

Yes, they've been much more vociferous for a long time.... for example, in 2006:

Thai nationals in the United States will stage a rally this Sunday to demand ousting of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to Thaitown USA News, a leading online news outlet popular among Thais living abroad.

The group that called themselves, "People's Alliance for Thai Democracy in the US" will gather in front of Thai Consul General office at about 11am (US Westcoast time), reported the agency in its website, www.thaitownusa.com.

Meanwhile, Thammasat University alumni in the US have gathered signatures of Thais in the US to oust Thaksin. They said they solicited the signatures to help the present Thammasat students who are also gathering signatures for the same purpose.

[jdinasia]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

And what if not? Will you feel ashamed?

Extradition should be based on the individual case and the law and not seen as a trading business. Some people seems to have an odd understanding of justice and legal proceedings.

Another blinding post from red shirt Sergeiy - he must be hoping Khun t will return and put behind bars those nasty men who extradited that nice man Victor Bout - his countryman - if only you understood the posts on the forum SergeiY!!

What is your point?

Even the PM said there is no swapping Bout for Thaksin

Serge --- will I be ashamed of the US if they do not extradite Thaksin? Probably not. The reasons being ...

1) There will probably be no official request to do so

and

2) Thaksin will probably not be IN the US to be extradited from.

However, would I be ashamed if there was an official request and Thaksin did actually show up? No. I would be disappointed but not ashamed.

[Insight]

People in the US, DC and the Thai community in LA do not feel the same about Thaksin as the Expat community here at Thaivisa does ...

Yes, they've been much more vociferous for a long time.... for example, in 2006:

Thai nationals in the United States will stage a rally this Sunday to demand ousting of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to Thaitown USA News, a leading online news outlet popular among Thais living abroad.

The group that called themselves, "People's Alliance for Thai Democracy in the US" will gather in front of Thai Consul General office at about 11am (US Westcoast time), reported the agency in its website, www.thaitownusa.com.

Meanwhile, Thammasat University alumni in the US have gathered signatures of Thais in the US to oust Thaksin. They said they solicited the signatures to help the present Thammasat students who are also gathering signatures for the same purpose.

I remember a rumour flying around about an incident involving Thaksin in a Thai restaurant in London before he was booted out the country. Apparently a significant number of the Thai patrons in the restaurant took exception to his presence.

Absolutely no sources I can cite as to whether the rumour has any truth, but was entertaining nevertheless...

[SamritT]

The letter is fake. I think the logo is wrong. The bird should be looking in the other direction.

[chuckd]

The letter is fake. I think the logo is wrong. The bird should be looking in the other direction.

If you are talking about the American Eagle, please see this site:

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&expIds=17259,27213,27816,27957&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=great+seal+of+the+us&cp=20&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=40r_TJGaNM_JrAfA27T-Bw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQsAQwAw&biw=1024&bih=641

The letter may be fake but the Eagle is properly positioned.

[SergeiY]

It makes you wonder (just a little bit) if THIS might be the payoff for Victor B.

Extradition of Thaksin to Thailand from the US? It would make me proud

And what if not? Will you feel ashamed?

Extradition should be based on the individual case and the law and not seen as a trading business. Some people seems to have an odd understanding of justice and legal proceedings.

Serge --- will I be ashamed of the US if they do not extradite Thaksin? Probably not. The reasons being ...

1) There will probably be no official request to do so

and

2) Thaksin will probably not be IN the US to be extradited from.

However, would I be ashamed if there was an official request and Thaksin did actually show up? No. I would be disappointed but not ashamed.

I still don't understand the proud part- if the extradition would happen, that would be just the normal legal procedure. Not something outstanding achievement or performance extraordinaire but just the thing you would expect to happen, a case of normality. How is that something to be proud of, specially if you don't have taken any participation in it?

There will be no official request, you assume. Isn't that a fault of the local authorities not to do so? Will they not try everything to get the terrorist?