Asked by the media about recent statements by Robert Amsterdam, an international lawyer from Amsterdam & Peroff, recently hired by Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 16 June 2010, said that he believed that anyone who really knew and followed the situation in Thailand would dismiss those statements.
The Secretary to the Foreign Minister noted that many people joined the protests to make genuine demands, to air legitimate grievances, which the government takes seriously and has been trying to address. But there were also those armed with lethal weapons who resorted to violence, sometimes indiscriminately, to create havoc and to try to bring down a legitimate government. The rule of law must therefore be enforced. It was therefore regrettable that Mr. Amsterdam had conveniently overlooked the facts about the illegal and violent nature of the protests and made many baseless, falsified and truly outrageous allegations against the Thai government, much to his own discredit.
With regard to investigations, Mr. Chavanond noted that Professor Dr. Kanit Na Nakorn, a former attorney-general, whom the Thai Cabinet appointed as Chair of an independent fact-finding committee, had been given a full mandate to work independently and consider all sides, including those sympathetic to the protesters. And on 14 June he took the initiative to meet with leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who expressed their readiness to cooperate with him.
“The committee should be allowed to work. No one — particularly a person who was just recently hired to represent Mr. Thaksin — should prejudge the work of this independent committee,” Mr. Chavanond said, adding that the Prime Minister had stated that the Government would respect the committee’s findings. “As Prime Minister Abhisit has stated, the Government stands ready to be held accountable in accordance with the law, as it is under the law. Indeed, this principle should apply to Mr. Thaksin, Mr. Amsterdam’s client, as well. The Criminal Court has found sufficient evidence to approve an arrest warrant against him on a charge related to terrorism as defined under Section 135 of the Thai Criminal Code.” That Mr. Thaksin was an elected leader should not, and could not, absolve him from the need to be held accountable like other Thais.
Furthermore, contrary to Mr. Amsterdam’s allegations, the Emergency Decree contain many safeguards that prevent any arbitrary actions by state officers. To detain someone, court-approved arrest warrants are required, while those arrested under the Criminal Code could be detained only for 48 hours, after which period court-approved warrants are needed. All detainees have been accorded all the rights in accordance with the Thai Constitution, including the right to counsel. The names and locations of all those detained are matters of public record. The Royal Thai Police has published a list of detainees charged with violating emergency laws or committing other crimes, such as theft and arson, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, specifying details of their whereabouts and contact details of their case officers. This list is also available on the website of the Royal Thai Police at http://www.saranitet.police.go.th/pdf/news09062553.pdf.
Mr. Chavanond reaffirmed the Thai government’s commitment to moving forward with its reconciliation plan, which — besides having an independent inquiry into the violent incidents that occurred — includes a national reform effort to address fundamental issues related to economic and social disparities that have long existed, including those raised by the protesters. “The relevant processes have already been set in motion, and all sectors of society have been invited to join and contribute. A detailed blueprint for this national reform, formulated based on the views gathered, is expected by end of this year” he said. “I understand that Mr. Amsterdam is bound to serve his client’s interest — given his ‘exorbitantly high’ monthly retainer fee which is probably more than what an average, hard-working Thai earns in a year — but it is clear that he is trying to undermine the process of reconciliation and restoration of peace and harmony, which most Thais want and of which the international community is supportive. Mr. Amsterdam should be seen for what he is — a hired hand to promote his client’s interests, not those of Thailand’s nor its people’s.”
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th