Vice Minister Attack’s Govt’s Outdated Law

Vice minister attack’s govt’s outdated law

BANGKOK: - The Culture Ministry and the Council of State have clashed over an outdated cultural law, arguing whether it should be repealed or amended.

The row came to a head after Vice Minister for Culture Weerasak Khowsurat yesterday attacked the government’s legal advisers for trying to cling to a bygone era of nationalism.

“The 1942 Arts, Religion and Cultural Act was enacted at the height of nationalist fever during the Plaek Pibulsongkram government. Its provisions are no longer relevant but bureaucrats want to enforce them,” Weerasak said.

The council opposed Weerasak’s proposal to repeal the entire law, saying its provisions should be amended to keep up with changes.

Weerasak countered that the provisions were too out of touch with the modern world and suggested that a public hearing be held before drafting completely new legislation on the issue.

“The new draft should reflect public participation in cultural affairs as prescribed by the 1997 Constitution,” he said.

He said the existing laws were no longer practical to enforce as many provisions were considered frivolous and might cause a negative public reaction.

“Imagine how many women would be rounded up for wearing [strapless] tube tops, which were banned under the 1942 legislation,” he said.

--The Nation 20004-03-11