Thailand’s Junta Must Not Be Allowed to Distort Historical Memory

“Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future” In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Thai Army were engaged in a fierce struggle with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) for control of the country. Vast swathes of the kingdom were under the jurisdiction of […]

The NACC Whitewash of Abhisit

The recent announcement by Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that it will be initiating an official investigation into former Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva for his part in the 2010 Bangkok Massacre should be greeted with the suspicion that all actions undertaken by the junta administration deserve. In few other countries would the murders of dozens […]

Thailand’s Theatre of the Absurd

The sentencing this week of a 23-year-old student actor and a 26-year-old theatre producer to serve two and a half years in prison marks yet another low point in the slow motion car crash that is Thai politics under the military junta. Patiwat (“Bank”) Saraiyaem and Porntip (“Golf”) Mankong could hardly be considered any sort […]

Waiting for Obama to Wake Up on Thailand

Finally people are talking about the Obama administration’s lackluster response to the brutal military coup in Thailand which toppled an elected government. This is an issue that deserves far more attention. From the Diplomat: In the days following the coup, the State Department said the right things. However, as little serious attention was being paid […]

Thailand: the Unconstitutional Monarchy

The United Kingdom (UK) is considered to be one of the planet’s pre-eminent constitutional monarchies. It’s not without its problems but its longevity & stability are based on the absolute split between the elected persons who make the laws and the head of state, the monarch, who acts as the functionary to sign them onto […]

Public Appeal for Witnesses and Evidence of Human Rights Violations under the Coup Government of Thailand

The following press release from Amsterdam & Partners LLP was distributed to media today. LONDON, Jan. 9, 2015 – Amsterdam & Partners LLP announces a public appeal in Thailand for witnesses to come forward with evidence of human rights violations taking place under the current military coup government. This appeal for evidence relates to a […]

India’s Rare Earths Diplomacy

From an interesting article by Daniel McGroarty on RealClearWorld, it appears that India and China are once again at loggerheads over resources – this time the rare earth metals that India desperately needs as inputs in its growing defence industry. Russia, of course, is only too happy to step in. Some summits begin with a […]

Robert Amsterdam Launches Independent Campaign to Hold Thailand’s Coup Leaders Accountable

The following press release was circulated to media on January 2, 2015. LONDON – Robert Amsterdam of Amsterdam & Partners LLP has announced the formation of a new independent campaign to hold Thai officials accountable in foreign jurisdictions. Among the objectives of the new movement are to bring criminal charges against the coup leadership and […]

Historical Memory in Thailand and Guatemala

Guatemala and Thailand share a fascinating common history of repeated, violent military coups and heavy U.S. involvement as a result of the Cold War, creating a lingering distortion in each nation’s political culture

Thailand’s Inevitable Revolution

It’s time for the United States and Europe to undertake targeted sanctions against leaders of Thailand’s military junta. Failure to do so guarantees a repeat of a familiar cycle.