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.

People who live in Thailand, or married with Thais, and/or visit regularly are fully aware of Thaksin and his sickening clan and their behaviors.

But most people in the West, they have only news reports and comments from PR marketing lobbyists to go on. Amsterdam adding to the myth that Thaksin and the Shins represent democracy, freedoms and work for the good of the poor. He conveniently ignores all the crimes, convictions, outstanding charges, and HR records of his boss and his gang of course.

Amsterdam is paid to make Thaksin and the Shins look good and stir the shit up for their opponents anyway he can. No more no less. Nothing has changed whatever crap he spouts.

How should I see the new termination in light of the previous termination announced in July 2012 ?

"Amsterdam & Partners on Monday submitted a lobbying termination report that says the firm's government advocacy work for Thaksin ended on June 30, two years after it began. The firm provided "counsel and guidance with respect to Mr. Thaksin's interest in Washington, DC and abroad," contacting the U.S. Justice, State and Treasury departments, according to congressional records. Amsterdam & Partners partner Andrew Durkovic in D.C. was the lobbyist on the account."

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2012/07/firm-quits-us-lobbying-for-former-thai-prime-minister.html

Better Call Saul

it's all in the wording and means absolutely nothing

Amsterdam is no longer acting in his capacity as shoe shine for Thaksin

but he still trims his nose hair

Contract terminated - I hoped it was "with extreme prejudice."

Another phrase that comes to mind is "plausible deniability". Pity its not plausible.

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

Without payment? Forget it.

"The effort will be conducted on a pro bono basis, independent of any active political figures or parties in Thailand"

This statement might be understood in another way. Amsterdam will not charge the PTP or Thaksin for legal services but that doesn't prevent someone else, even a government or two, to pay for continued legal services provided by Amsterdam. Prior to the coup his legal services were directly related to Thaksin and the PTP and could be conducted within the Thai legal system. The military coup aborted the Thai legal system and martial law deprived all Thais of justice, not just Thaksin and the PTP. It would follow that parties outside the Thai political conflict might take a greater interest in seeing justice served fairly and equally.

"The effort will be conducted on a pro bono basis, independent of any active political figures or parties in Thailand"

This statement might be understood in another way. Amsterdam will not charge the PTP or Thaksin for legal services but that doesn't prevent someone else, even a government or two, to pay for continued legal services provided by Amsterdam. Prior to the coup his legal services were directly related to Thaksin and the PTP and could be conducted within the Thai legal system. The military coup aborted the Thai legal system and martial law deprived all Thais of justice, not just Thaksin and the PTP. It would follow that parties outside the Thai political conflict might take a greater interest in seeing justice served fairly and equally.

There ladies and gents is a demonstration of how red history is made.

Take some unrelated facts, an insinuation or two, get in a bit of a dig, twist them a bit and knit them together and there you have it.

Hay didn't we see Amsterdam up on a red stage wearing a red shirt not so long ago ? Seem to remember some comments on here asking if he had a work permit, but I guess when you are working for the owner of the party in power you don't need one.

I would suspect if he were to apply for one now he would be out of luck.