Thailand Vows To Stem Tide Against Royals

[Jai Dee]

Thailand vows to stem tide against royals

Thailand’s new justice minister vowed yesterday to toughen controversial laws protecting the monarchy and crack down on unprecedented levels of criticism of the palace stemming from recent political turmoil.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, a former judge, said protecting the nation’s “most revered institution” was his top priority, adding that he would enlist the help of the army to suppress alleged anti-royal activities. “In Thailand, the monarchy is not only a symbolic institution. It is the pillar of national security,” he said in an interview. “Whatever is deemed as affecting the monarchy must be treated as a threat to national security,” said Pirapan, who has a US Masters degree in law.

Rights activists have accused the new government led by the Democrat party of stifling freedom of speech and silencing its political opponents under the guise of a crackdown on Internet pages criticising the monarchy.

The administration has already announced plans to add 400 Web pages to 2,300 already blocked for lese-majeste, or insulting the monarchy, a crime that carries up to 15 years in prison in Thailand, where many regard the king as semi-divine.

Freedom of speech is enshrined in the constitution but Pirapan said that did not mean criticism of the monarchy amounting to a threat to national security would be tolerated. “When you visit the United States, your rights have been infringed when you have to take your shoes or your belt off for an airport security check. That is done for the sake of national security,” Pirapan said.

“In Thailand, your freedom of speech might have to be compromised for the sake of national security,” he said.

Website operators said online criticism of the role of the monarch in public life — a taboo subject despite King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s occasional forays into politics — had risen since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Site editors said they had often had to pull comments, most notably after Queen Sirikit attended the funeral of an anti-Thaksin protester killed in clashes with police in October. Even though the king has said himself that he should not be above criticism, Pirapan said Thailand needed to toughen its defences because of a strengthening anti-monarchy movement.

As an opposition MP last year he drafted two bills to that effect, and as minister will push for parliamentary approval. One raises the maximum jail term for lese-majeste to 25 years, while the other will remove the need for a police investigation and allow lese-majeste complaints to be filed by members of the public directly with the courts.

Source: Reuters - 10 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Internet community prepares its case on lese-majeste websites

Netizens - people involved in online communities - plan a brainstorming session today about the government's move to get tougher with websites with content holding the monarchy in contempt.

The seminar is to gather viewpoints from the Thai Internet community, ahead of next week's meeting between their representatives and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee.

Jiranuch Premchaiporn, a committee member of the Thai Netizen Network, said netizens must involve themselves in monitoring their media. She said viewpoints expressed at the brainstorming session would be gathered for an open letter to the PM and the ICT minister.

The seminar, entitled "Government Should Not Take People's Freedom and Rights Hostage", is a cooperation of the Thai Netizen Network, the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, and Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (Fact).

She said that blockade or closure of websites should be done with respect to freedom and rights. "This government, particularly the Democrat Party, has stressed much on liberties. Their sincerity may be doubted when they talk about website closure," Jiranuch said.

"The government should have a better understanding about the nature of the Internet and the online world. I don't think blocking websites deemed in contempt of the monarchy will help protect the monarchy," she said.

The Democrat-led government has made one of its priorities the defending of the monarchy's reputation.

Supinya Klanarong, a coordinator of the network, said its representatives would meet the prime minister next week to submit their open letter. She said the network would ask for participation in solving possible solutions to the problem of lese majeste on the Internet.

Police Colonel Yanapol Yangyuen, commander of the Department of Special Investigation's technology-related cases division, said that with recent crackdowns, there are now less than 100 websites with content seen as undermining the monarchy.

Yanapol, who is also chairman of the Thai webmasters association, said provisions in the current computer law are sufficient to deal with operators of those offensive websites.

Source: The Nation - 10 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Thai writer: End prosecution for 'insulting king'

A Thai academic facing charges of insulting the monarchy called Tuesday for a campaign to abolish the law under which he could be jailed for 15 years.

Ji Ungpakorn, a prominent activist and political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said police have asked to question him over a book he wrote about Thailand's 2006 military coup.

His case is the latest sign of ideological struggle over the role of the monarchy, a subject that was once taboo. There has been a recent spate of complaints and prosecutions for lese majeste _ as the charge is called _ and increased censorship of Web sites allegedly critical of the institution.

Those who have faced lese majeste complaints in the past year include a fledgling Australian novelist, a BBC reporter, a prominent Buddhist intellectual and an activist who refused to stand up during the traditional playing of the Royal Anthem before a movie.

Ji said at a news conference that the lese majeste law, which mandates a jail term of three to 15 years for defaming the king, the queen or the heir to the throne, "restricts freedom of speech and expression and does not allow for public accountability and transparency of the institution of the monarchy."

He charged that it is used "as a tool by the military, and other authoritarian elites, in order to protect their own interests." He claimed he was being targeted for political reasons because he criticized the military and its coup.

Newly elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has promised to take "all measures" to prevent people from defaming the monarchy.

But Ji, who is the son of one of the most respected civil servants in modern Thailand, the late Central Bank Governor Puey Ungpakorn, called for "an international and national political campaign to defend democratic rights in Thailand and for the abolition of the Lese Majeste law."

Until recently, prosecutions under the law have been uncommon _ usually a handful a year _ not surprising in a country where the 81-year-old king is almost universally revered as a selfless and hardworking benefactor of the people.

But questions about the monarchy have assumed a higher profile lately as consideration is given to the eventual succession of Bhumibol, the world's longest serving head of state and the only monarch most Thais have ever lived under.

Although he is a constitutional monarch who reigns but does not rule, Bhumibol _ with the backing of the military _ has since the 1960s held commanding political influence, usually exercised only in times of national crisis.

But his influence was challenged by the rise of billionaire politician Thaksin Shinawatra, who became prime minister in 2001 and whose party won an unprecedented absolute majority in Parliament in a 2005 general election. Thaksin won the devotion of the country's rural majority with populist policies that directly benefited them, such as low-cost universal health care.

One of the reasons the army gave for ousting Thaksin was a claim that he had treated the king with disrespect.

When Thaksin's political allies regained power in a December 2007 general election, the fight over the former prime minister was revived, and his critics again claimed to be defending the monarchy in their bid to remove all those connected with Thaksin from power. Their confrontational protests culminated in the weeklong occupation of Bangkok's two airports at the end of last year.

Source: Fox News - 14 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

DSI arrests suspect of lèse majesté case

The Department of Special Investigation arrests a suspect publicizing lèse majesté information on websites.

DSI Director-General Pol.Maj.Gen.Thawi Sodsong (ทวี สอดส่อง) led officers to raid a residence of Mr Suwicha Thakhor (สุวิชา ท่าค้อ), a suspect of the case, in Khannayao (คันนายาว) area following a lead that the place was used by Mr Suwicha to publicize lèse majesté content on various websites. The suspect’s computer was seized as evidence.

Mr Suwicha, who had fled to stay with his cousin in Nakhon Phanom province, was arrested by investigators of the DSI Office of International Crime while he was buying goods at a market in Nakhon Phanom province. He denied all charges.

DSI will bring the suspect back to its headquarters for interrogation today (January 15th).

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 15 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Thai Professor Is Threatened With Jail for Questioning Monarchy's Neutrality During Coup

A prominent Thai political-science professor who is being investigated on accusations of insulting the monarchy, a crime known as “lèse-majesté,” says the complaint against him is politically motivated and that he is the victim of a witch-hunt, Channel News Asia reports. Giles Ji Ungpakorn, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, is calling for an international campaign to end the law, which prescribes jail terms for those who criticize the royal family.

Mr. Giles, who was summoned to police headquarters on Monday, is under investigation for his book, A Coup for the Rich. He asserts that during the 2006 military overthrow of the former premier, who was popular among the poor, the Thai monarchy was not as politically neutral as claimed. The professor says lèse-majesté is being used by military and authoritarian elites to protect their own interests.

Insults against the monarchy are taken seriously in Thailand, where the royal family is highly revered. An Australian professor remains in a Thai jail for writing a novel in which a brief passage portrays a crown prince’s private life in an unflattering light.

But rights groups now accuse Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivam, who recently took office after months of unrest, of using the law to muzzle his opponents. Earlier this month, several thousand websites were blocked after the courts ruled they insulted had the king.

Source: Channel News Asia - 15 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Thai man arrested for Internet comments on king

BANGKOK, Thailand: A Thai man has been arrested on charges of insulting the monarchy and could face up to 15 years in prison under a harsh lese majeste law that is being used with more frequency, police said Thursday.

Suwicha Thakhor was arrested Wednesday for allegedly posting messages insulting the monarchy on the Internet, but the suspect denied the allegation, said Police Maj. Gen. Thawi Sodsong, director general of the Department of Special Investigation.

Police did not name the Web sites involved or describe what allegedly violated the country's harsh lese majeste law — which is intended to protect the royal institution.

New Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave a speech Wednesday saying his government would try to ensure that the law, which carries a penalty of three to 15 years imprisonment, is not be abused. But he said the monarchy must be protected because it has "immense benefits to the country as a stabilizing force."

There has been a recent spate of lese majeste complaints and prosecutions, and increased censorship of Web sites allegedly critical of the Thai monarchy.

Public discussion of the monarchy's role was once taboo in Thailand, but the issue has assumed a higher profile lately as consideration has been given to who will succeed 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-serving head of state.

Bhumibol is credited as being the nation's unifying force during times of crisis, though he has no major official role in politics. He has great influence because of the immense respect he commands from most Thais.

Abhisit has also urged moderation in enforcing Internet censorship, though he said the authorities will continue to block sites that insult the monarchy.

Ji Ungpakorn, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University facing lese majeste charges, called Tuesday for a campaign to abolish the lese majeste law.

He said he will be questioned by police next week because of a book he wrote about Thailand's 2006 military coup that ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Others who have recently faced lese majeste complaints include Thai activist Chotisak Onsoong, who was summonsed in April 2008 for refusing to stand up during the playing of the Royal Anthem before a movie, and Sulak Sivaraksa, a prominent Buddhist intellectual who was arrested in November for questioning whether lavish official celebrations of the king's reign were an appropriate way to honor the monarchy.

Source: International Herald Tribune - 16 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Jailed writer tells of 'unspeakable suffering' for insulting king

An Australian writer who says he's endured "unspeakable suffering" in a Thai jail will plead guilty to criminal charges of insulting the country's royal family in his 2005 novel.

A shackled Harry Nicolaides was led into Bangkok's Criminal Court for the opening of his trial on Monday, and told reporters he would plead guilty.

"I'm pleading guilty," said Nicolaides, 41, who has already spent five months in a Thai jail awaiting trial.

"I would like to apologise. This can't be real. It feels like a bad dream."

The author was arrested in August at Bangkok's international airport as he was about to board a flight home to Melbourne, apparently unaware of a March arrest warrant issued in connection with his novel Verisimilitude.

According to the Nicolaides family, only 50 copies of the book were published and fewer than 10 sold.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy but has severe lese majeste laws, mandating a jail term of three to 15 years for defaming, insulting or threatening the royal family.

Nicolaides, a Melbourne resident who lived in Thailand from 2003 to 2005 where he taught at the Mae Fah Luang University, has described his novel as a commentary on political and social life of contemporary Thailand.

"Tell my family I am very concerned," he told reporters, breaking down in tears.

He said he had endured "unspeakable suffering" during his pre-trial detention but did not elaborate.

The 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-serving monarch, is credited as being Thailand's unifying force during times of crisis, though he has no major official role in politics.

Nicolaides's brother Forde said he was concerned about his sibling's health.

"His health isn't that crash hot. He has had continuous flu-like symptoms since he has been incarcerated. He has lost a lot of weight. He can't eat the prison food," Forde said.

"He is generally unwell and has undergone a lot of mental trauma, as anyone would in a foreign country.

"We are pretty concerned about his health generally. The key for us is to try and keep him positive ... it is a pretty dim place in the prison."

Nicolaides's Australian-based lawyer Mark Dean, SC, said his client was feeling the strain of imprisonment.

"His condition has deteriorated significantly. He is unwell and psychologically he has found the entire experience extremely challenging," Mr Dean said.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald - 19 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Australian author sentenced to three years in jail on lese majesty charge

Thai court sentenced an Australian to three years in jail on lese majesty charge on Monday.

The court's ruling came as Harry Nicolaides pleaded guilty on the charge. He wrote a novel in 2005 which concerned royal activities.

Source: The Nation - 19 January 2009

[photojourn]

A Thai court sentenced an Australian author to three years imprisonment on lese majesty charge on Monday.

The court's ruling came as Harry Nicolaides, 41, pleaded guilty on the charge. He wrote a novel in 2005 which concerned royal activities.

Nicolaides was initially sentenced to six years in jail but the punishment was reduced by half as he pleaded guilty.

The court said it decided not to suspend the penalty because the defendant who was an author disseminate lese majesty information information in his book.

ABC news online reported on Monday morning that Nicolaides was led barefoot into courtroom 811 in the Bangkok criminal court, chained by the leg and the wrist to another inmate.

In talking to reporters he described the past four-and-a-half months since he was arrested as an "Alice in Wonderland" experience.

He said he was hoping to wake up from a dream and find it all gone. He was visibly emotional as he spoke saying he wanted to make amends for his crime.

Aussie sentenced to 3 years in jail for les majeste

[Jai Dee]

Australia officially requests Thailand lese majeste pardon

Australian writer Harry Nicolaides pleaded guilty to defaming Thailand's crown prince, and was sentenced to three years jail.

Australia's foreign minister has written to his Thai couterpart expressing strong support for a royal pardon for jailed Australian author Harry Nicolaides.

A statement from Stephen Smith says that now that the legal process has concluded, Australian officials have advised Thai officials of the Australian government's support for a pardon.

Nicolaides' legal advisers are not planning to appeal against his conviction, or the three-year jail sentence, on lese majeste charges brought over a mention in a little-read book written by Nicolaides of the private life of a royal prince.

However, his lawyers are planning to proceed in their request for a pardon from the king of Thailand.

Source: Radio Australia News - 22 January 2009

[Jai Dee]

Lese majeste laws 'a problem' for Thais

Thailand's strict lese majeste laws cause the nation "a lot of problems", a former Thai minister and career diplomat acknowledged yesterday (January 21), and pointed to increasing pressure to amend them--especially the parts that allow anyone to accuse others of insulting the monarchy.

Dr Tej Bunnag, also a former adviser to the Thai King's principal private secretary, defended the need for legislation protecting the royal family, and noted that under the law, the police and courts had to act on any accusation of lese majeste.

"There are always lese majeste cases before the Thai courts. It takes up a lot of people's time," he said. "It causes Thailand a lot of problems, we are fully aware of this."

The frank acknowledgement by a veteran diplomat who has headed Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry and served briefly as foreign minister last year, came at a public lecture at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies yesterday.

While Dr Tej's talk focused on King Bhumibol Adulyadej's contributions to Thailand's development, hot issues such as the lese majeste laws and the country's political turmoil dominated the question-and-answer session that followed.

The nation's harsh lese majeste laws came under the spotlight again recently when an Australian author was sentenced to three years' jail for insulting the monarchy and a Thai academic had to face charges over similar claims.

The author's family yesterday said they have appealed to King Bhumibol for a pardon.

The Thai authorities have also blocked thousands of websites for allegedly insulting the country's revered monarchy, drawing criticism from rights groups and media organisations, which say that the law could be abused by those who use it as a tool to harass their opponents.

"There is no question...of how revered the King is to Thai people, but to non-Thais, the severity of the laws is striking," said one participant at the forum.

Dr Tej replied that there were 'moves' to amend the laws but he did not elaborate.

But he also pointed out that Thailand's lese majeste laws were not unique. Countries like Singapore, he noted, had laws protecting people from slander.

"Certain institutions in certain countries are very sensitive," he said. "You cannot compare the members of the royal family of the United Kingdom with members of the royal family in Thailand."

Source: Straits Times - 22 January 2009

[sabaijai]

Thailand plans to 'educate' foreigners on royal insult: official

Agence France-Presse | 01/26/2009 4:47 PM

BANGKOK - Thailand's justice ministry wants to launch an overseas campaign to educate foreigners about its laws protecting the monarchy, an official said Monday, after an Australian was jailed under the harsh rules.

Harry Nicolaides, 41, was sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty last week to lese majeste -- slandering the royal family -- in a novel he self-published in 2005.

"The ministry has an idea to seek cooperation from the foreign ministry to ask all Thai embassies abroad to educate foreigners about lese majeste laws," an aide to the justice ministry told Agence France-Presse.

"Foreigners misunderstand the lese majeste laws," she said, adding that they mistakenly believe the crime is not serious and carries a light sentence.

In fact, lese majeste carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years -- one of the harshest in the world for the crime -- and some MPs from the ruling Democrat Party are pushing to increase it to 25 years.

Nicolaides was not the first foreigner to fall foul of the laws.

Swiss national Oliver Jufer was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2007 for defacing pictures of deeply-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was later given a royal pardon and deported from the country.

The aide said protecting the royal family was "this government's priority." The slew of recent lese majeste investigations has been criticized by activists as a ploy to stifle dissenting voices in Thailand.

Thai authorities have banned nearly 4,000 websites in recent months for allegedly insulting the crown. Police have said that more than 17 criminal cases of defaming the royal family are currently active.

The justice ministry's plan is now awaiting cabinet approval, the aide said.

[Jai Dee]

Govt blocks 2,300 Websites deemed offensive to the monarchy

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga on Thursday reaffirmed the government stand to crack down on the posting offensive messages to the monarchy on the Internet and revealed the closure of 2,300 Websites for lese majeste.

Pirapan spoke during the query session at the House.

The Justice Ministry was cooperating closely with the other two ministries, Defence and Information and Communication Technology, to take prompt action against offenders for insulting the country's revered institution, he said.

Some 3,000 to 4,000 Websites have been targetted for investigation on the suspicion of condoning the offensive messages, he said.

Source: The Nation - 29 January 2009