Robert Amsterdam Law Firm Terminates Lobbying Contract With Thaksin

[Moruya]

RT@robertamsterdam: Rumors I no longer work for the Red Shirts are completely false. I remain as committed as ever to making sure my clients receive justice.

RT@robertamsterdam: I should also confirm I remain retained by Dr Thaksin with my main efforts focused on bringing the 2010 Thai regime to account at the ICC.

Doesn't this put them at odds with Thaksin as he wants to give an amnesty to, amongst others, those involved in the breaking up of the demonstrations in 2010 which ended in the deaths of red shirt supporters? This doesn't seem to fit with what appears to be a statement that the red shirts are clients and Amsterdam is committed to making sure they receive justice and bring the 2010 Thai regime before the ICC.

Maybe I'm not reading this correctly.

When there's money involved, values quickly go out the window with these people.

[Moruya]

twitter from tulsathit:Someone in the know has told us R. Amsterdam ending a lobbying contract with Thaksin has smokescreen written all over it.

should just have "irrelevant" written all over it.

Amsterdam is irrelevant. His hideously grotesque features match his ugly character and nonexistent morals.

If ever anyone were searching for a model on which to base a gargoyle, he's your thing.

He's probably at home feasting on raw babies in his shrine to the atrocious and their feats.

Long may his skin be infested by boils and abscesses.

Have you anything to contribute to this forum other than unsubstantiated rumours and insanities ?

I'm sure you can get a reference from Mikhail Khordorkovsky.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/yukos-case-robert-amsterdams-failed-strategy

[JurgenG]

It's incredible how full of non sense this thread is.

We start from a non-event. Lobbying for foreign customers is highly regulated in the USA, and rightly so. Full disclosure is required.Two years ago, probably anticipating a more complicated situation, Amsterdam's firm informed the US congress that they have been hired by K. Thaksin to represent his interest in the USA. Two years later, they fill an other mandatory form saying they won't do it anymore because basically there weren't much to do anyway. Billing less than $5,000 over two years is probably the cost of filling these two forms. R. Amsterdam in an unrelated document confirms that his relation with K. Thaksin remains unchanged as the focus of their cooperation is, and has always been, somewhere else. In short, a total non-event

So why so much noise about nothing ? Obviously a sign the opposition is getting desperate.

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

So what do the people from the majority should think of this non-event? Probably nothing much, the dogs bark but the caravan moves on ...

Edited August 2, 2012 by JurgenG

[Moruya]

It's incredible how full of non sense this thread is.

We start from a non-event. Lobbying for foreign customers is highly regulated in the USA, and rightly so. Full disclosure is required.Two years ago, probably anticipating a more complicated situation, Amsterdam's firm informed the US congress that they have been hired by K. Thaksin to represent his interest in the USA. Two years later, they fill an other mandatory form saying they won't do it anymore because basically there weren't much to do anyway. Billing less than $5,000 over two years is probably the cost of filling these two forms. R. Amsterdam in an unrelated document confirms that his relation with K. Thaksin remains unchanged as the focus of their cooperation is, and has always been, somewhere else. In short, a total non-event

So why so much noise about nothing ? Obviously a sign the opposition is getting desperate.

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

So what do the people from the majority should think of this non-event? Probably nothing much, the dogs bark but the caravan moves on ...

It's so much about nothing you write all those words

[Reasonableman]

It's incredible how full of non sense this thread is.

We start from a non-event. Lobbying for foreign customers is highly regulated in the USA, and rightly so. Full disclosure is required.Two years ago, probably anticipating a more complicated situation, Amsterdam's firm informed the US congress that they have been hired by K. Thaksin to represent his interest in the USA. Two years later, they fill an other mandatory form saying they won't do it anymore because basically there weren't much to do anyway. Billing less than $5,000 over two years is probably the cost of filling these two forms. R. Amsterdam in an unrelated document confirms that his relation with K. Thaksin remains unchanged as the focus of their cooperation is, and has always been, somewhere else. In short, a total non-event

So why so much noise about nothing ? Obviously a sign the opposition is getting desperate.

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

So what do the people from the majority should think of this non-event? Probably nothing much, the dogs bark but the caravan moves on ...

Thanks for highlighting the "non-event-ness" for all, JerkinG. Very helpful. From land encroachment to lobbying, a multiplicity of interests, good to see another Renaissance Man.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Ricardo]

It seems odd to hail a government-coalition which lasts a year as being stable, without according the same to a government which lasted two-and-a-half years, but maybe it's just me thinking that.

Whatever, stability is generally to be welcomed I guess, as it's better than having DL demonstrate his ability to try to de-stabilise any government he chooses, again. Although one cannot applaud threats to courts or judges, which PM-Yingluck clearly feels no need to condemn, since she's had plenty of time to do so, and done nothing.

Perhaps on legal-advice from her brothers' lawyer/P.R.-expert ? Or on instructions from Dubai ? Or maybe just because she doesn't see what's wrong with such behaviour ?

Edited August 3, 2012 by Ricardo

[KireB]

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

Yes, a year later and we have seen the most efficient, democratic, non corrupt and most stable government we have ever seen. How do you make this stuff up? Nepotism dominates, like never before. A majority of MP's of your 'stable government' are straight out gangsters!

[rubl]

A&P formally terminating the lobbying contract with k. Thaksin, at least in the USA, has legal implications and looks like lawyer actions to limit exposure and liability.

For those who like to read the unreadable

http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/

[JurgenG]

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

Yes, a year later and we have seen the most efficient, democratic, non corrupt and most stable government we have ever seen. How do you make this stuff up? Nepotism dominates, like never before. A majority of MP's of your 'stable government' are straight out gangsters!

Your opinion. But a majority of economical leaders, both in Thailand and abroad, are quite satisfied by the action of this government, especially compared to the abysmal records from the previous administration. And I'm sure if election were again held next week, the same people will be back in office.

I know a number of people here, whatever they say, don't support democracy. They are benevolent people but they think that unfortunately in Thailand the majority of the electors are uneducated, they don't have the ability to understand what is good for them. Thailand should be ruled by an assembly of wise, experienced men, people who are no more influenced by personal ambition (if such people ever existed !). But it's exactly what has been tried in 2007, the first government assembled by the junta. And it was a total disaster !

If the opposition want to have a chance to win the next election, they need first to show proper respect to the electors, then start to offer constructive proposition, how they will do better than the current governement. People are getting tired of these petty, below the belts attacks. They understand that all these legal actions that the opposition starts are only politically motivated to destabilize the government. They don't want that, they want stability and progress. Either the opposition understand that or they should be ready to be in the opposition for a very long time.

[Moruya]

One year ago this government was voted in office. If you were at that time listening to the opposition, sure by September something will have happened and this nightmare will be over. Then it was by December ... then by April ...then June ... And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

Yes, a year later and we have seen the most efficient, democratic, non corrupt and most stable government we have ever seen. How do you make this stuff up? Nepotism dominates, like never before. A majority of MP's of your 'stable government' are straight out gangsters!

Your opinion. But a majority of economical leaders, both in Thailand and abroad, are quite satisfied by the action of this government, especially compared to the abysmal records from the previous administration. And I'm sure if election were again held next week, the same people will be back in office.

I know a number of people here, whatever they say, don't support democracy. They are benevolent people but they think that unfortunately in Thailand the majority of the electors are uneducated, they don't have the ability to understand what is good for them. Thailand should be ruled by an assembly of wise, experienced men, people who are no more influenced by personal ambition (if such people ever existed !). But it's exactly what has been tried in 2007, the first government assembled by the junta. And it was a total disaster !

If the opposition want to have a chance to win the next election, they need first to show proper respect to the electors, then start to offer constructive proposition, how they will do better than the current governement. People are getting tired of these petty, below the belts attacks. They understand that all these legal actions that the opposition starts are only politically motivated to destabilize the government. They don't want that, they want stability and progress. Either the opposition understand that or they should be ready to be in the opposition for a very long time.

You make lots of bold claims here. How do you substantiate:

What foreign world leader is "satisfied" with the government?

What metrics are there that depict Abhisit as "abysmal"?

What "below the belt attacks"?

Unfortunately the vast majority of Thais are poorly educated, have no access to internet or cable TV and hence are unable to form an opinion based on a wide range of media or on the antics of the red shirts when compared to other fascist groups.

[phiphidon]

Amsterdam is irrelevant. His hideously grotesque features match his ugly character and nonexistent morals.

If ever anyone were searching for a model on which to base a gargoyle, he's your thing.

He's probably at home feasting on raw babies in his shrine to the atrocious and their feats.

Long may his skin be infested by boils and abscesses.

Have you anything to contribute to this forum other than unsubstantiated rumours and insanities ?

I'm sure you can get a reference from Mikhail Khordorkovsky.

http://www.nowpublic...failed-strategy

You may wish to know the blogger who wrote the above link, John Helmer, also wrote one defending russias "reputation" in the article entitled "Robert Amsterdam: the lobbyist hired to harm Russia's reputation"

http://www.nowpublic...as-reputation-0

He also wrote this about himself:

"John Helmer is the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. He first set up his bureau in 1989, making him today the doyen of the foreign press corps in Russia.

His family has many links to Russia. The founding father was a soldier from Denmark in Napoleon’s Grande Armee, who in 1812 decided his chances of survival were greater if he didn’t try to keep Napoleon company on the return home. Other family members were killed by the Germans during the invasion of the Soviet Union of 1941."

Read more: http://www.businessi...r#ixzz22RvomFMQ

No lover of West it transpires, nothing wrong with that but there could be a hint of bias there, who knows, but one thing for sure he certainly doesn't like Amsterdam. You may wish to read this for more info about John Helmer, "John Helmer: Journalist or Oligarchs’ PR Man?":

John Helmer is an Australian journalist and blogger who has been covering Russian business and living in Moscow for over thirty years.

His opinionated articles and blog posts, his cold irony and his numerous connections throughout Russian business networks have gained him a controversial reputation in Moscow.

Pitiless and ruthless when he writes about businessmen and companies he dislikes, Helmer also demonstrates curious restraint with others..............

....................Some sources even claim that Helmer has “done a deal” with the Russian secret services. The FSB allegedly passes information to Helmer and offers its protection in exchange for positive coverage of key figures in Russia… Hard to believe? Try to find an article hostile to Vladimir Putin on Helmer’s blog…

http://www.nowpublic...ligarchs-pr-man

You could also read this to give you a more balanced view of what Amsterdam was up againgst with the Mikhail Khordorkovsky case:

http://www.opendemoc...ls-in-courtroom

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

Edited August 3, 2012 by phiphidon

[rixalex]

And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

When considering the stability of Thaksin's current government compared with say the last government headed by Abhisit, one has to keep in mind the great lengths that Thaksin went to to destabilise that previous government. To claim that Thaksin is the only one able to form a stable government, is like a factory owner that has been pumping toxic waste into the nearby river, being voted town mayor and closing their own factory, to then be hailed as the only one able to clean up the river!

Not that of course Thaksin doesn't have forces working against his current government, doing their best to "pollute the water", but nothing like the "pollution" he himself is capable of. If you must hail him (and experience tells me that yes, you must), well then hail him for that.

[Moruya]

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

I prefer to look at it like this. Amsterdam is not squeaky clean, far from it. He does break a number of professional rules and his qualifications are questionable.

The way he manages his finances must also be called into question and a 5,000 buck on the record fee suggests other means of remuneration.

His MO appears to be to work with clients in such a manner that he confronts the country and its various institutions , attempts to boost his own image and doesn't really achieve anything.

I firmly believe he lobbies using underhand methods and that in taking the May 2010 deaths to the ICJ will give him more exposure and put Thaksin and others at considerable legal risk.

[rubl]

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

I prefer to look at it like this. Amsterdam is not squeaky clean, far from it. He does break a number of professional rules and his qualifications are questionable.

The way he manages his finances must also be called into question and a 5,000 buck on the record fee suggests other means of remuneration.

His MO appears to be to work with clients in such a manner that he confronts the country and its various institutions , attempts to boost his own image and doesn't really achieve anything.

I firmly believe he lobbies using underhand methods and that in taking the May 2010 deaths to the ICJ will give him more exposure and put Thaksin and others at considerable legal risk.

Minor correction, it's the ICC.

BTW legal risk or imaginative and novel approaches? From two days ago

" On a key agenda, three MPs, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong and Jarupan Kuldiloke, filed a petition on the red shirts' behalf, calling for the government to recognise the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a one-off case paving way for the ICC hearing on the 2010 bloodshed."

[steveromagnino]

And here we are one year later with a government as strong as ever and K. Thaksin proving one more time that he is the only one able to form a stable government.

When considering the stability of Thaksin's current government compared with say the last government headed by Abhisit, one has to keep in mind the great lengths that Thaksin went to to destabilise that previous government. To claim that Thaksin is the only one able to form a stable government, is like a factory owner that has been pumping toxic waste into the nearby river, being voted town mayor and closing their own factory, to then be hailed as the only one able to clean up the river!

I would think a better anaology would be say it is like a factory owner that has been charged with pumping toxic waste into the nearby river who runs away to another country to avoid going to jail and further prosecution, then offers most of the villagers in the area the promise of a future of prosperity, buys off as many of the town councillors as possible to be part of his political organisation, and then getting their sister to voted town mayor. Thereafter, the factory owner continues to pump toxic waste, but subverts the various authorities that actually measure toxic waste so they cannot issue any punishment, and also replaces the authorities with members of his own political party who condone and profit from the toxic waste.

The factory owner then changes the laws which prohibits the way in which toxic waste levels were previously measured, and thus can ask for the previous conviction to be dismissed. The factory owner appeals to the villagers, offering them money in the form of various well packaged and marketed schemes, aimed at deriding the idea that toxic waste is in any way bad, and personally attacking the previous administrators who dared suggest that the river had been polluted. An expensive lobbiest is hired to appeal to world markets and leaders, stating that the toxic waste is not toxic at all, and/or if it was it wasn't the factory owner's fault, and/or that the case against the factory owner is persecution, because of jealousy.

The NGOs and activists left who can see the toxic waste continuing to pour into the river and still believe someone should pay for their crimes, are threatened and verbally personally attacked at rallies arranged by the factory owner.

It is not surprise when a few years later, after all the area is overrun with the mess of the toxic waste, that previous allies of the factory owner start to get restless, and wish to leave the coalition; the factory owner provides an increasing amount of his profits gained through the environmental abuse to keep both his supporters and allies satisfied, and buys up as many media and activist organisations as possible, to try to maintain the toxic waste status quo. However, eventually, the villagers see through the factory owner's cheating ways, and realise that the nice dinners and credit cards are not going to make up for the reality, that their entire river is now a toxic, foul, putrid, rotting stream of filth.

It just takes some time to realise the scam, like many long cons do.

[Moruya]

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

I prefer to look at it like this. Amsterdam is not squeaky clean, far from it. He does break a number of professional rules and his qualifications are questionable.

The way he manages his finances must also be called into question and a 5,000 buck on the record fee suggests other means of remuneration.

His MO appears to be to work with clients in such a manner that he confronts the country and its various institutions , attempts to boost his own image and doesn't really achieve anything.

I firmly believe he lobbies using underhand methods and that in taking the May 2010 deaths to the ICJ will give him more exposure and put Thaksin and others at considerable legal risk.

Minor correction, it's the ICC.

BTW legal risk or imaginative and novel approaches? From two days ago

" On a key agenda, three MPs, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong and Jarupan Kuldiloke, filed a petition on the red shirts' behalf, calling for the government to recognise the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a one-off case paving way for the ICC hearing on the 2010 bloodshed."

I read that and thought it very strange that they would just want to opt in for one particular case and then opt out again.

If I'm not mistaken you need to join the ICC club for them to have jurisdiction, the joining date is the start date so any events prior to that were considered out if jurisdiction and if the case is already ongoing then it won't be accepted.

[jdinasia]

I read the OP (full article) and followed the link to a source we cannot post on here. While I personally doubt that Thaksin making any trip to the UK or US is true, or that he has a visa for either country; the truth is that only time will tell. Which Rubl pointed out so well!

[AleG]

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

I prefer to look at it like this. Amsterdam is not squeaky clean, far from it. He does break a number of professional rules and his qualifications are questionable.

The way he manages his finances must also be called into question and a 5,000 buck on the record fee suggests other means of remuneration.

His MO appears to be to work with clients in such a manner that he confronts the country and its various institutions , attempts to boost his own image and doesn't really achieve anything.

I firmly believe he lobbies using underhand methods and that in taking the May 2010 deaths to the ICJ will give him more exposure and put Thaksin and others at considerable legal risk.

Minor correction, it's the ICC.

BTW legal risk or imaginative and novel approaches? From two days ago

" On a key agenda, three MPs, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong and Jarupan Kuldiloke, filed a petition on the red shirts' behalf, calling for the government to recognise the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a one-off case paving way for the ICC hearing on the 2010 bloodshed."

http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5535830

I read that and thought it very strange that they would just want to opt in for one particular case and then opt out again.

If I'm not mistaken you need to join the ICC club for them to have jurisdiction, the joining date is the start date so any events prior to that were considered out if jurisdiction and if the case is already ongoing then it won't be accepted.

Well, you wouldn't want some busybody asking questions about drug fighting policies that lead to 3000 deaths and the massacre of Muslims, now would you?

And no double standards!

[Buchholz]

Or you could just agree with Moruya who has no axe to grind whatsoever.

I prefer to look at it like this. Amsterdam is not squeaky clean, far from it. He does break a number of professional rules and his qualifications are questionable.

The way he manages his finances must also be called into question and a 5,000 buck on the record fee suggests other means of remuneration.

His MO appears to be to work with clients in such a manner that he confronts the country and its various institutions , attempts to boost his own image and doesn't really achieve anything.

I firmly believe he lobbies using underhand methods and that in taking the May 2010 deaths to the ICJ will give him more exposure and put Thaksin and others at considerable legal risk.

Minor correction, it's the ICC.

BTW legal risk or imaginative and novel approaches? From two days ago

" On a key agenda, three MPs, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong and Jarupan Kuldiloke, filed a petition on the red shirts' behalf, calling for the government to recognise the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a one-off case paving way for the ICC hearing on the 2010 bloodshed."

http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5535830

The Red Shirt MPs want to make ratifying a treaty a "one-off" situation.

The numbskulls are so far out they don't realize how idiotic they sound.

Well done, Pheu Thai, for choosing these misfits for office.

.