Barbour Griffith & Rogers, LLC.  is not the only lobbyist firm hired by Thaksin.

                Baker Botts has also been hired by Thaksin on 11 December 2006, few months after the coup. No need to waste time on who Baker & Botts are, the name “Baker” is good enough to guarantee the super connection with present US administration on the capital hill.  

               So what’s next! 

              Thaksin ended the contract with Baker Botts on 30 June 2007, a bit over 6 months period. Damage to Thaksin’s deep pocket is in the neighborhood of US $80,000, not much at all.

(The above document is from the lobbying report filed with the US senate office)

               This should not be of a surprise though; Baker Botts is not truly a lobbyist firm by its nature. The firm is full of lawyers having operation and offices worldwide. Do not be fool with the ending of Baker Botts role, my friends. Thaksin is continuing using their service but the scope of the service now covers the legal issues and the work assignment has been relocated to Houston office, managed by Mr. Michael  Goldberg.

                Below is the news release ( partially ) from the firm: 

HOUSTON, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- - Statement from Michael Goldberg; Chair of the International Dispute Resolution Section at Baker Botts LLP.

The seizure of Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra's assets by a committee appointed by the coup leaders represents a major escalation in the Thai military junta's willingness to trample internationally accepted norms of due process and rule of law. The junta's action evinces a willingness to continue its one-track political vendetta against our client, Dr. Thaksin, even though he has repeatedly emphasized his willingness to assist in the reconciliation process that is critical to Thailand's return to democracy and stability…………… The junta's attacks on Dr. Thaksin amount to an arbitrary interference with his privacy and his family, his private property, his business interests as well as his honour and reputation which is abhorrent to principles of international justice………………………… The junta's decision to escalate its persecution of Dr. Thaksin has set back efforts to progress Thailand back to civilian rule and democracy……………………….. We have been authorized by Dr. Thaksin to vigorously evaluate all international options to protect his rights and interests. 

            Well, as far as where things stand at the moment, Mr. Goldberg will probably has his hand full  and will be making tons of money now that Thaksin may need his London office to help with the extradition case in the very near future. 

What about Barbour Griffith and Rogers, LLC?   

They are still very active as of now. The record shows that they make US$ 460,000 for 6 months worth of work. The report also provides some information on the agencies that they have been visiting within the past 6 months.

                The above clearly shows that they have been busy. Probably to justify the invoices, don’t you think?

                May be not if you look carefully at the last line of item 17, USAID, why?  It has been a decade that we have not heard of this agency. They do not even have the office here. I did some probing and, interesting enough, found that they are still active with the peace and security issue in Thailand. 

Peace and Security: Helping Marginalized Communities
Uneven economic growth, ethnic tensions, political repression, human rights abuses and the aftermath of war in Southeast Asia all put stress on communities, including Burmese migrants, ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and war victims in Laos. USAID works to improve conditions for these groups. In southern Thailand, USAID has educational reform and civil society activities to reduce conflict and counter terrorist propaganda through increased dialogue between the Islamic community and the Government of Thailand.

Ref: http://kenya.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/countries/rdma/ 

            Personally, I think Thaksin is quite concern with the human rights abuse issues both from his extrajudicial killings during the anti drug campaign policy and his handling of the terrorist in the Southern provinces. Apart from that, I see no reason why he would want to spend so much money on the lobbyist. Again, when you have the kind of money he has, nothing can go wrong, right?