Amsterdam tells Us congress his firm no longer thaksin's lobbyist
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The international law firm Amsterdam and Partners has notified the US Congress that it has terminated its lobbying relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The termination of lobbying report was filed on Monday although it came into affect on June 30.
Thaksin will still remain a client of the firm, founding partner Robert Amsterdam said.
Amsterdam also commented on Thaksin’s trip to the US this month, saying his firm had no involvement in obtaining Thaksin’s visa.
Thaksin’s lawyer Noppadon Pattama said his client found the news of the end of lobbying efforts by Amsterdam’s firm surprising and funny because it’s not true.
“Thaksin never hired [Amsterdam] to be a lobbyist, therefore there’s no need to stop hiring him as a lobbyist. Robert Amsterdam has never had any problem with Thaksin either. He is still determined to work to take those responsible for the red-shirt rally dispersal to the International Criminal Court,” Noppadon said.
In the congressional document seen by The Nation, the firm’s counsel Ronald M Jacobs gives notice that lobbyist Andrew Durkovic will no longer represent Thaksin.
The firm reported receiving less than Bt155,000 for its work since 2010 – fees that Noppadon contends are false.
Previously known as Amsterdam and Peroff, with its principal office in Toronto, the firm was contracted by Thaksin to provide counsel and guidance in the US capitol.
However, for the past two years, the lobbying efforts have focused not on the US but in other countries to aid Thaksin and the red-shirt movement.
At about 2pm yesterday, Amsterdam posted a message on his Twitter account – @robertamsterdam – affirming that he is still the lawyer for the red-shirt movement.
“Rumours I no longer work for the Red Shirts are completely false. I remain as committed as ever to making sure my clients receive justice. 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.”
Red-shirt leader Thida Thavornseth also confirmed that Amsterdam was still the group’s lawyer and that Amsterdam had always had a good relationship with the red shirts and communicated often with them.
She did not acknowledge Amsterdam’s status as a lobbyist.
