Statement from Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 25, 2010

STATEMENT FROM DR THAKSIN SHINAWATRA “In 1976, university students held a pro-democracy demonstration in Bangkok. The junta in Thailand silenced them in a brutal crackdown. Dozens of university students were killed, hundreds were injured and thousands were arrested. The junta tried to label them “communists”. “In 2010 it has happened again. This time, however, the […]

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Statement: The Mask Comes Off the Thai Junta

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Below is my statement circulated to media in response to the announcement that the government of Thailand had issued a warrant for the former Prime Minister. LONDON, May 25, 8.00 AM (BST): Thailand’s Criminal Court a short time ago issued a warrant for the arrest of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on “terrorism” charges. Today […]

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Is Afghanistan Becoming Russia’s Mexico?

By James Kimer | Published: May 24, 2010

It is an imperfect analogy in many respects, such as population, immigration, development, and Islamic extremism just to name a few, but the growing problem the Russian Federation is facing from the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the massive growth in narcotics exports has some parallels to Mexico’s war on drugs. Growing consumption of heroin […]

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Video: Inside Wat Pathuwanaram

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 23, 2010

The following video contains graphic footage from inside Wat Pathuwanaram, Bangkok, on May 19th, when it is believed that Thai Royal Army fired upon unarmed protesters seeking refuge inside the supposed safe haven of the temple. In this video, Andrew Buncombe of the Independent is interviewed shortly after having been shot (follow his Twitter here, […]

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Images of the Final Hours at Ratchaprasong

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

In response to our requests seeking to collect evidence and testimony of the Thai army’s conduct in its violent crackdown against mostly unarmed and peaceful protesters, we’ve had a significant number of volunteers sending in letters, photos, and video depicting the facts of how events unfolded.  Below is a message and series of images from […]

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Thaksin: Thailand Must Observe Rights of Arrested Protest Leaders

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 20, 2010

The following is the most recent official statement issued by Thaksin. Statement by Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra Today the Kingdom of Thailand is in mourning. I join all Thai patriots in their immediate call for calm, order, and non-violence, and fully condemn the actions of those who acted with opportunism and impunity […]

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Human Rights Watch on the Thai Crisis

By James Kimer | Published:

Bangkok Pundit has quoted the most recently statement by Human Rights Watch on the violence in the Thai capital, which blames both sides for violating human rights. “We’re seeing a lot of arrests by the government, but where are these people being taken?  The government should provide information on those detained, where they are detained, […]

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The Ethnic Aspect behind Thailand’s Political Crisis

By James Kimer | Published:

We recently came across this interesting blog commentary, left as a response to various articles in Thailand and Reuters by user Jezz, commenting on the ethnic aspect of the political crisis. What this latest act of war fails to address is what everyone knows but is either too frightened to say or admit – that […]

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BBC Interview with Robert Amsterdam on Crisis in Thailand

By James Kimer | Published:

Click here to listen to a brief interview with Robert Amsterdam on the tragic crisis unfolding in Bangkok, Thailand on the BBC.

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Who Are the Red Shirts?

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 19, 2010

Given the sudden and bloody end to the two-month-long protest rally in downtown Bangkok, I believe it is essential the world understands who the Red Shirts are, and what they have been fighting for. There continues to be a concerted effort from the Thai government and its supporters to delegitimise the movement, paint them as […]

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