EDITORIAL

‘SLAPP’ given junta critics carries a sting

By The Nation

 

By denying scholars free speech, the government is only hurting itself – and further damaging Thailand’s reputation

 

The ruling military junta is using a tactic known as “SLAPP” (“Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation”) to gag intellectuals and prominent public figures. Basically, it drops them into legal quicksand that consumes all the time and energy they might otherwise devote to criticising the dearth of democratic freedoms.

 

Esteemed historian Charnvit Kasetsiri, a former rector of Thammasat University, was summoned to hear charges against him on Wednesday, as was Anusorn Unno, dean of sociology and anthropology at Thammasat. Both men face prison terms if convicted. 

 

Charnvit, whose academic work is internationally recognised, has had to clear his calendar so he can prepare for the legal battle. He is accused of violating the Computer Crimes Act for allegedly sharing on Facebook a widely circulated news report about Naraporn, the wife of junta leader and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, carrying “a Bt2-million Hermes handbag”. 

 

Charnvit allegedly added the undeniably harmless comments “Thai leaders must look expensive not cheap” and “How much is it?” In no way did these comments, even if made, damage the interests of the country or its people, but merely helped point out that, as the wife of the premier, Naraporn is also a public figure and should be subject to scrutiny, including about her expenditures.

 

The government, however, has denied she owns such an accessory, so the Technology Crime Suppression Division has decided that sharing the “fake news” was in violation of the Computer Crimes Act. Charnvit has expressed confidence he did nothing wrong “legally or morally” and believes he can make a case for freedom of expression. If he can’t, he might be jailed for up to five years and fined Bt100,000, or both.

 

Professor Anusorn, coordinator of the Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights, is charged with violating the junta’s ban on public gatherings of five or more persons, stemming from the “We Walk” march for civil rights and a series of seminars held at universities across Thailand.

 

The charge comes in spite of the Administrative Court’s Friday decision to grant legal protection to participants in We Walk and members of the organising People Go Network. The police were ordered to let the marchers continue on to Khon Kaen as planned. The walk is scheduled to end on February 17.

 

Nevertheless, police summoned Anusorn and seven others involved in the We Walk campaign to report for booking tomorrow. They each face up to six months in prison, a Bt10,000 fine, or both.

 

Even if the court’s intent in protecting the marchers and organisers is respected and the defendants, if convicted, receive far more lenient punishment, they should not be facing such charges at all.

 

Their activities posed no threat to the junta and did not disturb the peace. On the contrary, again, their actions should be seen as being of benefit to the public.

 

Instead, we have what appears an obvious attempt on the part of the junta to intimidate these scholars and stop them criticising military rule and the slow progress in organising elections. Charnvit, Anusorn and the rest are being cruelly harassed and could face long legal battles that will divert their considerable talents away from the academic contributions they make to the country.

 

The public, the news media and the international community should be in a fury over such blatant intimidation, and venting their anger at the junta.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30337470

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-30

Splendid place to reside.Waing,graaping and a bonfire made of books-for that is exactly what it is when you muzzle what little is left of intellectual freedom in Shangri-La.

Thailand's version of libel law. 

1 minute ago, Air Smiles said:

Thailand's version of libel law. 

 

1 minute ago, Air Smiles said:

Thailand's version of libel law. 

Shangri-La's version of repression and suppression.

15 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Splendid place to reside.Waing,graaping and a bonfire made of books-for that is exactly what it is when you muzzle what little is left of intellectual freedom in Shangri-La.

 

What on earth are you talking about, the fact Charnvit Kasetsiri  happens to be a university lecturer is completely unrelated to what he is being accused of, so that will be nothing to do with intellectual freedoms or burning books, it's all about fake pictures he posted on Facebook lol!

 

If you bother reading the article...

Edited January 29, 20188 yr by Air Smiles

1 minute ago, Air Smiles said:

 

What on earth are you talking about, the fact Charnvit Kasetsiri  happens to be a university lecturer is completely unrelated to what he is being accused of.

Sure...in your dreams..

1 minute ago, Odysseus123 said:

Sure...in your dreams..

 

Try reading the article.

2 minutes ago, Air Smiles said:

 

Try reading the article.

Have done so.I

 

2 minutes ago, Air Smiles said:

 

Try reading the article.

"Instead, we have what appears an obvious attempt on the part of the junta to intimidate these scholars and stop them criticising military rule and the slow progress in organising elections. Charnvit, Anusorn and the rest are being cruelly harassed and could face long legal battles that will divert their considerable talents away from the academic contributions they make to the country."

 

It could also financially ruin them.

Edited January 29, 20188 yr by Odysseus123

8 minutes ago, Air Smiles said:

Thailand's version of libel law. 

Complete with another daft acronym. 

Following closely behind China and Russia, but not kidnapped or killed yet.

Thaksin relied on this as well.  There was a reporter who criticized him and he turned around and sued her for some outrageous sum.  She made like B15K a month.  She made a movie about her experience.   This is reform and reconciliation thanks to the junta.  Sadly nothing changes.  Big promises made with little substantive outcome.  

7 hours ago, Air Smiles said:

Thailand's version of libel law. 

Unfortunately so.

Much like Prayut's version of democracy.

An illusion.

I see the rot has started, only to be expected, same as the brown shirts in the 1930, eventually intellectual freedom will be lost, but hopefully unlike the late '30s thousands of books will not be burnt. BUT you never know . 

Predictable...and desperate!

On 30/01/2018 at 5:43 AM, webfact said:

sharing on Facebook a widely circulated news report about Naraporn, the wife of junta leader and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, carrying “a Bt2-million Hermes handbag”

On 30/01/2018 at 5:43 AM, webfact said:

The government, however, has denied she owns such an accessory,

 

So was the picture a photoshop or was the bag a counterfeit?

Thailand, "Land of smiles, beautiful one day in court the next". New promotional slogan.

The CCA one of the most repulsive and revolting laws in the world put together ind used by little men who in the normal world would in jail never to see the light of day again.

 

Mind you on threads like this you do not see the official boot polisher and watch cleaner or his assistants, another good day without Steven100, NICE

2 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Thailand, "Land of smiles, beautiful one day in court the next". New promotional slogan.

"Put another academic on the barbie...."

3 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Thailand, "Land of smiles, beautiful one day in court the next". New promotional slogan.

You could say they are SLAPPing themselves silly 

On 1/30/2018 at 6:16 AM, lamyai3 said:

Complete with another daft acronym. 

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