Govt hires US firm to lobby US govt to set up naval base in Thailand: US Department of Justice

[webfact]

Govt hires US firm to lobby US govt to set up naval base in Thailand: US Department of Justice
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand without seeking approval from the Thai parliament first, according to a piece of document from the US Department of Justice.

The document was posted on the Facebook page of Nadaprapai Sucharitkul.

According to a copy of the document purportedly from the US Department of Justice, the Thai government hired Davenport Mckesson Corporation to lobby the US Department of Defence to build a naval air defence base in Thailand.

The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establshign a safe harbor zone around Thailand's waters.

The document said the US firm would start representing the Thai government on the lobbying on October 31 this year.

The document said Davenport McKesson Corporation would lobby members of Congress, the US Navy and the Department of Defence to set up a safe harbour zone in the South East China Sea.

"It was understood by the parties on the date of 10/31/2013, that the government of Thailand, via telephonic correspondence from its Embassy in Washington,DC would be represented by Davenport McKesson Corporation, the corporation would be entitled to upfront fees of $20,000.00USD.

Davenport McKesson Corporation in turn agreed to represent the country on the following matters; Davenport McKesson Corporation agreed to provide lobbying services for the TheKingdom of Thailand inside the United States Congress and make certain lobbying efforts inside the Department of Defense, The Kingdom of Thailand is seeking to have the United States Department of Defense build a Nava lAir Defense Base in the Country, also thec ountry of Thailand seeks military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around its waters. Davenport McKesson Corporationa lso seeks to assis thecountry in establishing more trade representation centers in the United States," the document said.

The Constitution requires such a practice to win a prior approval from Parliament but the Thai Parliament has not recently debated any issue related to plan to have a US naval base established in the kingdom.


-- The Nation 2013-12-13

[chooka]

Not a bad thing overall I think. The U.S wants to increase it's strength in the asia/pacific region and it will also generate millions in revenue for Thailand. Might have to build more bars and hire more girls.

[tomyummer]

$20k? That's it? I guess it was probably $2 million before all the tea money was divided. It's the first time in a while where a country is asking the US to build a military outpost in their country. Another way of begging for money.

Edited December 13, 2013 by tomyummer

[Chang_paarp]

The government spent some money without asking parliament. I was under the impression that the relativity small amount would almost be a petty cash chit with most governments.

$20k would not get much lobbying Washington, is not Bangkok. You would need to spend more than 10 times that amount to get any sort of result.

[bander]

"The Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand without seeking approval from the Thai parliament first, according to a piece of document from the US Department of Justice."

I don't buy this story, why would Yingluck or the man in Dubai try to hire a US firm in this matter without get approval from the parliament first? And where is the proof? Why not post the so called "piece of document"?

"The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establish a safe harbor zone around Thailand's waters."

Now this make perfectly sense

[Local Drunk]

"The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around Thailand's waters."

​Safe from who exactly? Which begs the question... Who in the world is safe from the U.S.?

[canopus1969]

The government spent some money without asking parliament. I was under the impression that the relativity small amount would almost be a petty cash chit with most governments.

$20k would not get much lobbying Washington, is not Bangkok. You would need to spend more than 10 times that amount to get any sort of result.

10 times that amount ? Did not realise the US was so corrupt .................................

[Thaddeus]

The government spent some money without asking parliament. I was under the impression that the relativity small amount would almost be a petty cash chit with most governments.

$20k would not get much lobbying Washington, is not Bangkok. You would need to spend more than 10 times that amount to get any sort of result.

This ocean could have a lot of drops in it.

How many other small sums of money have they squandered without getting approval first?

[terryp]

There are some very naïve or just plain stupid people on TV.

Thailand does not need this it is insane, and considering Thaksin has employed 7 US lobbying firms while on the run it comes as no surprise…this is the follow up to the cancellation of the planned US MILITARY WEATHER STATION ( ) at Sattahip.

Next you will be telling me the TPP is a great idea also

These are all steps into a UN one World army..that many again will say whats wrong with that.

The US Army will morph into the UN World Army within 15 years, why do you think Chinese, Russian and Romanian troops are all on joint activities in the US at the moment

While the people sleep the biggest crimes are committed

[NomadJoe]

The government spent some money without asking parliament. I was under the impression that the relativity small amount would almost be a petty cash chit with most governments.

$20k would not get much lobbying Washington, is not Bangkok. You would need to spend more than 10 times that amount to get any sort of result.

$20k will just be a retainer.

[noitom]

The 20,000 appears to be a "down Payment," a binding fee. The idea is great, but the terms and representation of this "deal" need to be transparent. Before any US taxpayer money is spent doing any due diligence at all regarding this naval defense base and zone in or around Thailand, there better be a "stable" country, government, process, and rule of law in Thailand.

[spirit47]

There are some very naïve or just plain stupid people on TV.

Thailand does not need this it is insane, and considering Thaksin has employed 7 US lobbying firms while on the run it comes as no surprise…this is the follow up to the cancellation of the planned US MILITARY WEATHER STATION ( ) at Sattahip.

Next you will be telling me the TPP is a great idea also

These are all steps into a UN one World army..that many again will say whats wrong with that.

The US Army will morph into the UN World Army within 15 years, why do you think Chinese, Russian and Romanian troops are all on joint activities in the US at the moment

While the people sleep the biggest crimes are committed

Can you explain this, or give a link about "UN World army"

[rijb]

Netflix?

[EyesWideOpen]

"The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around Thailand's waters."

​Safe from who exactly? Which begs the question... Who in the world is safe from the U.S.?

Read the news....... China ..

[PeterSmiles]

"The Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand without seeking approval from the Thai parliament first, according to a piece of document from the US Department of Justice."

I don't buy this story, why would Yingluck or the man in Dubai try to hire a US firm in this matter without get approval from the parliament first? And where is the proof? Why not post the so called "piece of document"?

"The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establish a safe harbor zone around Thailand's waters."

Now this make perfectly sense

If you had bothered to read the OP you would have noticed that the document WAS posted on Nadaprapai Sucharitkul facebook page.

I think also the pointg isn't that they spend 20.000$ without seeking parliament approval first, but the fact that they made action where parliament approval was required without following the rules.

This is just one example that has come above water, but there are probably more of them but they are better hidden.

So it is clear that Thaksin this government just do as it feels pleased.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Why don't they just send Yingluck our (caretaking) defence minister to Washington, she can cry in front of the US top brass and tell them that we really need some submarines and carriers and someone who can operate them, we got no clue ourselves. We also need some copters that can fly at night

[GrantSmith]

www.politico.com/politicoinfluence/1213/politicoinfluence12439.html

In short:

"Similarly, according to a Thai embassy official: “The embassy has not engaged any service from Davenport McKesson nor is it aware of any Thai government agency doing so with the company."

and this...

"So what do we know about the so-called lobbying firm Davenport McKesson?

— It has no other lobbying registrations other than for Thailand and the University of Maryland, according to public records.

— Despite its own claims of having 10 years of lobbying experience, it registered its website in October 2013, according to the WHOis database.

— Incorporation paperwork in Massachusetts describes Davenport as a 501c(3) nonprofit charitable organization in what would certainly be a no-no for a for-profit lobbying organization.

— On the Foreign Agent paperwork filed with the Department of Justice, Davenport spelled the foreign minister of Thailand’s name incorrectly, and listed an incorrect address for the foreign ministry."

Brilliant...

If true and the Government parted with $US20k, it would appear that they're a victim of a scam...

What goes around, comes around and all that

[EvilDrSomkid]

I am not buying this story. It smells real fishy, as in plaa raa fishy. After the NASA weather fiasco, it seems absurd.

Besides, this is a non issue now. Parliament has already been dissolved.

And yes, 20k is just a retainer fee. Everybody who can think understands that.

[webfact]

Foreign Ministry denies report of hiring a US lobby firm
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Ministry has denied report that Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul hired a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

In its statement issued yesterday, the ministry reiterated that neither the ministry nor the minister paid US$20,000 to Davenport Mckesson to lobby for the Thai government and never got involved with the company.

The ministry requested Thai Embassy in Washington to seek cooperation with the US authorities to examine into the company as there were some US organisations that were claimed to be clients of the company. They however denied the reports.

According to Fara online, the Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

The document was posted on the Facebook page of Nadaprapai Sucharitkul. According to a copy of the document purportedly from the US Department of Justice, the Thai government hired Davenport Mckesson Corporation to lobby the US Department of Defence to build a naval air defence base in Thailand.

The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establshign a safe harbor zone around Thailand’s waters.

The document said the US firm would start representing the Thai government on the lobbying on October 31 this year.

"It was understood by the parties on the date of 10/31/2013, that the government of Thailand, via telephonic correspondence from its Embassy in Washington,DC would be represented by Davenport McKesson Corporation, the corporation would be entitled to upfront fees of $20,000.00USD. Davenport McKesson Corporation in turn agreed to represent the country on the following matters; Davenport McKesson Corporation agreed to provide lobbying services for the TheKingdom of Thailand inside the United States Congress and make certain lobbying efforts inside the Department of Defense, The Kingdom of Thailand is seeking to have the United States Department of Defense build a Nava lAir Defense Base in the Country, also thec ountry of Thailand seeks military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around its waters. Davenport McKesson Corporationa lso seeks to assis thecountry in establishing more trade representation centers in the United States," the document said.

The PDF file of the copy of the document could be found be found at http://www.fara.gov/docs/6199-Exhibit-AB-20131122-1.pdf.


-- The Nation 2013-12-13

[IMA_FARANG]

Not a bad thing overall I think. The U.S wants to increase it's strength in the asia/pacific region and it will also generate millions in revenue for Thailand. Might have to build more bars and hire more girls.

-----------------------------

The Navy has a current investigation of a Malaysian who lives in Singapore known by the nickname of "Fat Leonard" who is accused of influencing the U.S. navy ships stationed in Southeast Asia waters by bribing some high ranking officers to divert U.S. Navy ships to certain ports for port calls where he and his company could charge the U.S. navy at much higher than normal rates for port services ... allegedly because he had contacts with officials in those ports.

"Fat Leonard" is suspected of using information illegally given to him by two senior U,S. Navy officers in exchange for allegedly:

• Providing them tickets to shows in various countries in SEA.
• Providing free hotel rooms for these officers are their friend
• Providing "friendly female company" during their stay
• And arranging for their families and spouses to get tickets for otherwise sold out shows .... such as Lady Gaga concerts

He owned a company that supplied port services to the U.S. Navy .... among others .... and he supposedly hiked his prices up based on influencing where these U.S. ships made there port calls.

One of them MAY have been Phuket.... but that is still not proven.... just an accusation.

The accusations are currently under investigation by the Navy command in San Diego (Southeast Asia home command Headquarters)

Therefore this is a VERY bad time for Thailand to admit to hiring an .... even if it is a legal one ..... a agency to lobby for them.

Thailand is already viewed with great suspicion by the U.S. Navy higher ups.

Two serving U.S. officers have been suspended from duties pending investigation and possible court marshal proceedings may be filed against them depending on the outcome of the current investigation of the "Fat Leonard" affair.

Thailand couldn't have picked a worse time.

Edited December 13, 2013 by IMA_FARANG

[Nickymaster]

Foreign Ministry denies report of hiring a US lobby firm

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Ministry has denied report that Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul hired a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

In its statement issued yesterday, the ministry reiterated that neither the ministry nor the minister paid US$20,000 to Davenport Mckesson to lobby for the Thai government and never got involved with the company.

The ministry requested Thai Embassy in Washington to seek cooperation with the US authorities to examine into the company as there were some US organisations that were claimed to be clients of the company. They however denied the reports.

According to Fara online, the Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

The document was posted on the Facebook page of Nadaprapai Sucharitkul. According to a copy of the document purportedly from the US Department of Justice, the Thai government hired Davenport Mckesson Corporation to lobby the US Department of Defence to build a naval air defence base in Thailand.

The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establshign a safe harbor zone around Thailands waters.

The document said the US firm would start representing the Thai government on the lobbying on October 31 this year.

"It was understood by the parties on the date of 10/31/2013, that the government of Thailand, via telephonic correspondence from its Embassy in Washington,DC would be represented by Davenport McKesson Corporation, the corporation would be entitled to upfront fees of $20,000.00USD. Davenport McKesson Corporation in turn agreed to represent the country on the following matters; Davenport McKesson Corporation agreed to provide lobbying services for the TheKingdom of Thailand inside the United States Congress and make certain lobbying efforts inside the Department of Defense, The Kingdom of Thailand is seeking to have the United States Department of Defense build a Nava lAir Defense Base in the Country, also thec ountry of Thailand seeks military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around its waters. Davenport McKesson Corporationa lso seeks to assis thecountry in establishing more trade representation centers in the United States," the document said.

The PDF file of the copy of the document could be found be found at http://www.fara.gov/docs/6199-Exhibit-AB-20131122-1.pdf.

-- The Nation 2013-12-13

So the US Department of justice said that the Thai Govt hires US firm to lobby US govt to set up naval base in Thailand and Thaksin's cousin Surapong says that it isn't true (although there are documents proving him wrong).

Somebody must be lying.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Nickymaster

[bigbamboo]

This should go down well in Beijing..... IF it's true.

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Thai foreign ministry: We and Minister Surapong were never involved in such lobbying deal with Davenport McKesson. (1)

RT @tulsathit: Thai foreign ministry: We've asked US to investigate behaviors of the said company and its often-denied employment claims. (2)

[Chippen Dong]

hearsay propaganda and just plain BS. they kicked out nasa not so long ago so why would they stoop to this even lower depth.

US justice dept has the repudiation lower than of a bunch of marauding street thugs so why would you believe anything they spin

[GrantSmith]

Foreign Ministry denies report of hiring a US lobby firm

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Ministry has denied report that Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul hired a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

In its statement issued yesterday, the ministry reiterated that neither the ministry nor the minister paid US$20,000 to Davenport Mckesson to lobby for the Thai government and never got involved with the company.

The ministry requested Thai Embassy in Washington to seek cooperation with the US authorities to examine into the company as there were some US organisations that were claimed to be clients of the company. They however denied the reports.

According to Fara online, the Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

The document was posted on the Facebook page of Nadaprapai Sucharitkul. According to a copy of the document purportedly from the US Department of Justice, the Thai government hired Davenport Mckesson Corporation to lobby the US Department of Defence to build a naval air defence base in Thailand.

The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establshign a safe harbor zone around Thailands waters.

The document said the US firm would start representing the Thai government on the lobbying on October 31 this year.

"It was understood by the parties on the date of 10/31/2013, that the government of Thailand, via telephonic correspondence from its Embassy in Washington,DC would be represented by Davenport McKesson Corporation, the corporation would be entitled to upfront fees of $20,000.00USD. Davenport McKesson Corporation in turn agreed to represent the country on the following matters; Davenport McKesson Corporation agreed to provide lobbying services for the TheKingdom of Thailand inside the United States Congress and make certain lobbying efforts inside the Department of Defense, The Kingdom of Thailand is seeking to have the United States Department of Defense build a Nava lAir Defense Base in the Country, also thec ountry of Thailand seeks military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around its waters. Davenport McKesson Corporationa lso seeks to assis thecountry in establishing more trade representation centers in the United States," the document said.

The PDF file of the copy of the document could be found be found at http://www.fara.gov/docs/6199-Exhibit-AB-20131122-1.pdf.

-- The Nation 2013-12-13

So the US Department of justice said that the Thai Govt hires US firm to lobby US govt to set up naval base in Thailand and Thaksin's cousin Surapong says that it isn't true (although there are documents proving him wrong).

Somebody must be lying.

I don't think the DoJ is saying anything about this; FARA is simply a registration of an agency's intentions to deal with political details on behalf of a foreign entity..

[Kilgore Trout]

The current government has show over and over that they don't care about the constitution. This kind of behavior is just paving the way for someone like Suthep to get the backing he needs to take over.

You reap what you sow.

[Nickymaster]

Foreign Ministry denies report of hiring a US lobby firm

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Ministry has denied report that Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul hired a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

In its statement issued yesterday, the ministry reiterated that neither the ministry nor the minister paid US$20,000 to Davenport Mckesson to lobby for the Thai government and never got involved with the company.

The ministry requested Thai Embassy in Washington to seek cooperation with the US authorities to examine into the company as there were some US organisations that were claimed to be clients of the company. They however denied the reports.

According to Fara online, the Yingluck government has paid US$20,000 to a US firm to lobby Washington to build a naval base in Thailand.

The document was posted on the Facebook page of Nadaprapai Sucharitkul. According to a copy of the document purportedly from the US Department of Justice, the Thai government hired Davenport Mckesson Corporation to lobby the US Department of Defence to build a naval air defence base in Thailand.

The US lobbyist was also hired to lobby for US military assistance in establshign a safe harbor zone around Thailands waters.

The document said the US firm would start representing the Thai government on the lobbying on October 31 this year.

"It was understood by the parties on the date of 10/31/2013, that the government of Thailand, via telephonic correspondence from its Embassy in Washington,DC would be represented by Davenport McKesson Corporation, the corporation would be entitled to upfront fees of $20,000.00USD. Davenport McKesson Corporation in turn agreed to represent the country on the following matters; Davenport McKesson Corporation agreed to provide lobbying services for the TheKingdom of Thailand inside the United States Congress and make certain lobbying efforts inside the Department of Defense, The Kingdom of Thailand is seeking to have the United States Department of Defense build a Nava lAir Defense Base in the Country, also thec ountry of Thailand seeks military assistance in establishing a safe harbor zone around its waters. Davenport McKesson Corporationa lso seeks to assis thecountry in establishing more trade representation centers in the United States," the document said.

The PDF file of the copy of the document could be found be found at http://www.fara.gov/docs/6199-Exhibit-AB-20131122-1.pdf.

-- The Nation 2013-12-13

So the US Department of justice said that the Thai Govt hires US firm to lobby US govt to set up naval base in Thailand and Thaksin's cousin Surapong says that it isn't true (although there are documents proving him wrong).

Somebody must be lying.

I don't think the DoJ is saying anything about this; FARA is simply a registration of an agency's intentions to deal with political details on behalf of a foreign entity..

This document supposed to be coming from the DOJ which explains "The Agreement".

Agreement is signed but Thai Foreign Ministry is denying it made payments. Maybe somebody else made payments on their behalf?

If Yingluck or Surapong have signed this agreement without having parliamentary approval somebody is going to be in trouble (regardless of payments being made by the signing party).

Remember they wanted to change this law. Removing checks and balances to sign without needing approval.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Nickymaster

[GrantSmith]

This document supposed to be coming from the DOJ.

Agreement is signed but Thai Foreign Ministry is denying it made payments. Maybe somebody else made payments on their behalf?

That document is from the FARA website - if I understand it correctly - and not the DoJ, it really doesn't imply that the Embassy has acted on anything, more so hearsay than anything else from Davenport McKesson, which if you have a look at the link I posted earlier it paints a less than flattering picture of them. Check their website out as well, hardly any information about exactly who they are. Which, for a supposed lobbyist firm, is a bit strange.

I'd be more inclined to believe it if there was a signed document from the Ambassador supporting the above assertions from Davenport McKesson.

[Nickymaster]

This document supposed to be coming from the DOJ.

Agreement is signed but Thai Foreign Ministry is denying it made payments. Maybe somebody else made payments on their behalf?

That document is from the FARA website - if I understand it correctly - and not the DoJ, it really doesn't imply that the Embassy has acted on anything, more so hearsay than anything else from Davenport McKesson, which if you have a look at the link I posted earlier it paints a less than flattering picture of them. Check their website out as well, hardly any information about exactly who they are. Which, for a supposed lobbyist firm, is a bit strange.

I'd be more inclined to believe it if there was a signed document from the Ambassador supporting the above assertions from Davenport McKesson.

Since the Thai Foreign Minister is not denying the agreement but says no payments were made by them, I don't know if I agree with you.

http://www.asianewsnet.net/news-31946.html

[NomadJoe]

This is strange development considering Thailand just squashed both the U.S. military weather station and the NASA project at U-Tapao.