Canadian Lawyer's Contract With Thaksin Terminated
By Khaosod English


A screen shot of the press release announcing Robert Amsterdam's new independent campaign to bring criminal charges against “the coup leadership and those responsible for the 2010 Bangkok massacre.” 2 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — The Canadian lawyer who was hired by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to represent the Redshirt movement says his engagement with the former leader has terminated.

A press release published on Robert Amsterdam’s website on 2 January 2014 states:

“Amsterdam & Partners LLP was first retained in April of 2010 by the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to defend the rights of the Red Shirt pro-democracy movement....However following a military coup last May which toppled the elected government, conditions for human rights have sharply deteriorated, and the engagement between Robert Amsterdam and former Prime Minister Thaksin has concluded.”

According to the statement, Amsterdam has launched a new campaign aimed at bringing criminal charges against “the coup leadership and those responsible for the 2010 Bangkok massacre.” The effort will be conducted on a pro bono basis, independent of any active political figures or parties in Thailand, the press release says.

“We are grateful to Khun Thaksin for the opportunity to become involved in these issues, and wish him the best in his endeavours," the statement says. "Our focus now will be to pursue alliances with civil society, NGOs, and other politically independent groups to continue advocating for the rights of citizens through all available avenues.”

Amsterdam and his international law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP were first retained by Thaksin to represent the umbrella organization of the Redshirts, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), following the 2010 military crackdown on Redshirt protesters that left more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420633337&typecate=06&section=

-- Khaosod English 2015-01-08

In other words, Thaksin has funded the litigation, but Thaksin's retainer of Amsterdam has been terminated, so that a foreigner can pursue an action that may violate the martial law.

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by zaphod reborn

POLITICS
Lobbyist Amsterdam breaks with Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- Lobbyist Robert Amsterdam broke with fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing deteriorating conditions of human rights following the May coup.

Following a military coup last May which toppled the elected government, conditions for human rights have sharply deteriorated, and the engagement between Robert Amsterdam and former Prime Minister Thaksin has concluded," said Amsterdam’s Amsterdam & Partners LLP in a statement.

Amsterdam was first retained in 2010 by Thaksin to defend the rights of the redshirts movement, including an application before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Amsterdam said, "We are grateful to Khun Thaksin for the opportunity to become involved in these issues, and wish him the best in his endeavours."

He said the focus now will be a new independent campaign to hold Thai officials accountable in foreign jurisdiction.

Among the objectives of the new movement are to bring criminal charges against the coup leadership and those responsible for the 2010 Bangkok massacre, as well as pursue targeted sanctions to deliver accountability and justice for the victims.

"The campaign will be conducted on a pro bono basis, completely independently from any active political figure or party in Thailand," Amsterdam said.

"In the face of horrific repression under the current coup government, we must not abandon the effort to apply consequences to those who violate human rights and those who have torn apart Thailand's fragile democracy," Amsterdam said.

"We view this as a matter of historical importance - only when we see these elites charged and sanctioned for their crimes can there be any hope of restoring rule of law and representative government in Thailand."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Lobbyist-Amsterdam-breaks-with-Thaksin-30251415.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

The man got wised up seeing that this time, not even Thaksin vast fortune will see him back

on the horse any time soon, as well as wanting put distance himself of his questionable

personality... as well as realizing that this, Pro-bono arrangements are probably a silly idea

to start with and no longer realistic.....

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by ezzra

What a game. I thought he already moved from being Thaksin's lawyer to be the reds lawyer only. So he still was Thaksin's lawyer up until today. Interesting. And now he is going after the army without Thaksin and with his own money. Yeah right!

Amsterdam & Partners LLP was first retained in April of 2010 by the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to defend the rights of the Red Shirt pro-democracy movement

Yet another outrage that Thaksin perpetrated against Thai people. Both of them make my skin crawl.

"... only when we see these elites charged and sanctioned for their crimes can there be any hope of restoring rule of law and representative government in Thailand."

Start with your "employer". The one who's still funding you (but indirectly now). The one who's already been found guilty of multiple crimes, has plenty more to actually still go to court for and so far has paid zero penalty.

Would explain the reason a certain poster on TV isn't around at present.

"In the face of horrific repression under the current coup government, we must not abandon the effort to apply consequences to those who violate human rights and those who have torn apart Thailand's fragile democracy," Amsterdam said.

horrific repression That's odd, I always understood horrific repression to be more associated with nations like Rwanda, Bosnia, Syria, Nazi Germany, & 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. Robert Amsterdam comes across as a drama queen and as a Canadian, makes me embarrassed.

I have yet to hear of P.M.Prayuth ordering the slaughter of hundreds or thousands of people.

I take it that this Amsterdam guy isn't in Thailand. If he was the army would have kicked in his door, and arrested him.

This is nuts?

Surely the client hires the legal expert to drive a prosecution, if the client gets out of the taxi, why does it bother driving to its intended destination?

Robert Amsterdam still fails to mention the numerous human rights violations that occurred under Thaksin, and relevant facts about the 2010 Massacre resulting in 90+ mostly civilian deaths, (being armed and remaining after leadership negotiated the peaceful conclusion of the protest)

It seems Thaksin is still paying the driver, but for appearances sake has got out of the taxi and is pretending to walk in a different direction.

In other news, his sister is about to have her corruption charges considered- any link there?

So Amsterdam is no longer Thaksins lawyer,but still

working on his behalf,it seems,have you ever heard

of a lawyer doing anything for nothing,the campaign

to get Thaksin back to Thailand a free man is still

on going,just means he can stay in the shadows still

pulling the strings,but deny everything.

regards Worgeodie

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

Any posts which can be construed as rumor mongering are not allowed.

Posters violating these rules, and the forum rules will receive a warning, a possible suspension of posting privileges or a ban from the site.

One post in violation of the above has been removed.

This could have some ramifications if the international court in the Hague actually agree to the lawyers demands, this would be the only avenue open , this would restrict these Coup leaders travel plans , I can't see much coming from this but sillier things have happen , like Amsterdam's former client managing to outsmart Interpol , this notice was subsequently cancelled by the PTP.

maybe he knows his services are not needed any longer

as the big leader will come home soon

maybe he knows his services are not needed any longer

as the big leader will come home soon

You mean the Lost Leader? They can't arrest him.

......Robert.....How about some human rights for those of us that married Thai wives......

The statement just says he is not directly representing Thaksin however he is representing others such as ngo's and organizations whom have the same goal.

It's just a marketing message to bypass the direct responsibility of Thaksin.IMHO

Edited January 8, 201511 yr by Sadana

Amsterdam & Partners LLP was first retained in April of 2010 by the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to defend the rights of the Red Shirt pro-democracy movement

Yet another outrage that Thaksin perpetrated against Thai people. Both of them make my skin crawl.

"Both of them make my skin crawl"... both slimy, and one's a shyster.

"In the face of horrific repression under the current coup government, we must not abandon the effort to apply consequences to those who violate human rights and those who have torn apart Thailand's fragile democracy," Amsterdam said.

horrific repression That's odd, I always understood horrific repression to be more associated with nations like Rwanda, Bosnia, Syria, Nazi Germany, & 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. Robert Amsterdam comes across as a drama queen and as a Canadian, makes me embarrassed.

I have yet to hear of P.M.Prayuth ordering the slaughter of hundreds or thousands of people.

Agreed. Amsterdam seems to be the go to guy for ousted leaders as he is an expert in muddying waters to help throw veils over the corrupt actions of these former leaders.

He was also representing Rupiah Banda, the ex-President of Zambia, among others.

Self important jerk-off

If Robert Amsterdam ever discovers how to monetise hypocrisy, he’ll make Thaksin look like a pauper

Lol really maybe he did not pay the bill Lawyers lol

Lobbyist Robert Amsterdam broke with fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing deteriorating conditions of human rights following the May coup.

So, Robert breaks up with Thaksin because human rights deteriorated in Thailand? As I understand it, neither one of them has been in Thailand for the last few years, which means they are certainly not affected by any alleged deterioration of human rights. Further, Robert, as a lawyer you should actually harden your heart and steel your resolve in the face of such abject mistreatments and hop once more into the breach...As for you, Mr. Thaksin, ja nah, the human rights argument just crumbles like dust in the wind when confronted with what you have done in the past, n'est-ce pas?

Can therefore some TV members enlighten me as to why, oh why Robert really broke up with the Sand Man?

The timing is the clue, this is a typical Thaksin PTP red move just as the NLA are about to start proceedings against YL

and just to add - it's complete nonsense

The timing is the clue, this is a typical Thaksin PTP red move just as the NLA are about to start proceedings against YL

and just to add - it's complete nonsense

Are you insinuating that Thaksin is happy to abandon the deluded reds just to save his sisters skin, and stop any further asset seizure or punishment of the red elite for their mind boggling fraud schemes such as the rice scam? If so, then I agree 100%, Thaksin is just so predictable, always has been.

Lobbyist Robert Amsterdam broke with fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing deteriorating conditions of human rights following the May coup.

So, Robert breaks up with Thaksin because human rights deteriorated in Thailand? As I understand it, neither one of them has been in Thailand for the last few years, which means they are certainly not affected by any alleged deterioration of human rights. Further, Robert, as a lawyer you should actually harden your heart and steel your resolve in the face of such abject mistreatments and hop once more into the breach...As for you, Mr. Thaksin, ja nah, the human rights argument just crumbles like dust in the wind when confronted with what you have done in the past, n'est-ce pas?

Can therefore some TV members enlighten me as to why, oh why Robert really broke up with the Sand Man?

and you actually believe there is no longer any association between them ? only words only words, just because he says it doesn't mean it's true, keep the feet for dancing

The timing is the clue, this is a typical Thaksin PTP red move just as the NLA are about to start proceedings against YL

and just to add - it's complete nonsense

Are you insinuating that Thaksin is happy to abandon the deluded reds just to save his sisters skin, and stop any further asset seizure or punishment of the red elite for their mind boggling fraud schemes such as the rice scam? If so, then I agree 100%, Thaksin is just so predictable, always has been.

No, it means that Amsterdam's paycheck wil not come from Thaksin's official account in the future

Did this Amsterdam ever actually help any of his clients? I remember he cost poor old Khordokovsky a good few years out in the gulags - after great legal expense. And Dr.Thaksin, well he has never been less likely to be able to return to his country a hero. If I could offer Bob some advise, just make the lies a bit believable, Thaksin never was some saviour of human rights and democracy so stop trying to pretend he is. Nobody other than the die-hards are swallowing this clarts.

Not working for T. anymore but continuing like before?

Another try of delusion

I for one Canadian retired lawyer don't give hoot.