By Kevin McCauley
BGR Government Affairs represented Thailand's ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra though the July 3 national elections that made his sister, Yinluck Shinawatra, the first female leader of the country of 62M people.
In 2005, Thaksin became the only PM of Thailand to complete a term in office and win re-election. The telecommunications tycoon was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and has been living in exile in Dubai.
Yinluck's election has raised speculation about the return of her brother who enjoys widespread populist support but is viewed warily by the armed forces and middle class segment of Bangkok, according to today's Wall Street Journal. She told the Journal that her first priority is to get Thailand's economy on track.
BGR communicated with the State Dept. and Congressional offices on behalf of Thaksin. It encouraged the U.S. Government to be “an advocate for fairness, transparency and the democratic process in Thailand,” according to its Justice Dept. filing.
The firm received no compensation for that work, which is now complete.
Thailand moved its tourism PR account to Lou Hammond & Associates last fall. Podesta Group was hired by the country in the wake of a flare-up of political violence last year. And Global Communicators has worked with the Thai embassy in the U.S.
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