By Pravit Rojanaphruk |
<p>The just-released book in Thai language on the impact of the controversial and draconian lese majeste law on Thai society entitled ‘<em>Darkness Under the Sun</em>’ (ความมืดกลางแสงแดด) by writers and independent journalists Vorapoj Panphong and Thiti Meetaem reflects the Thai mainstream mass media’s failure in covering the issue of lese majeste law critically.</p>
<p>David Streckfuss's presentation as part of <a href="http://www.prachatai3.info/english/node/3097">Democracy and Crisis in Thailand</a> conference held at Chulalongkorn University on 9 March. [courtesy of <a href="http://facthai.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/a-comparison-of-modern-monarchies-dr-david-streckfuss/">Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT)</a>]</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>Some Thais just hate other Thais who think differently, especially when it comes to the issue of the monarchy.</p>
<p>Supot and Supat Silarat, who last week assaulted Worachet Pakeerut, leader of the Nitirat group of law lecturers who proposed an amendment to the draconian lese majeste law, told police the attack sprang from "differences in opinions".</p>
<p>Sondhi Limthongkul has revealed a plan by American capitalists to rule Thailand in a bid to exploit natural resources, including oil, in the Asia Pacific region, exposing Nitirat and Prachatai as receiving money from American corporate-backed funders in a conspiracy to overthrow the monarchy. </p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>Nobody should be surprised that the ongoing move to abolish or at least amend the controversial lese majeste law is meeting with staunch opposition from many royalists, who hold an almost god-like regard towards His Majesty and the institution of the monarchy.</p>
<p>Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn, former palace police chief and former Deputy Police Chief, has published an article in Matichon in response to recent comments by the US Ambassador and the United Nations Office of Human Rights on Thailand’s lèse majesté law.</p>
<p>After the cabinet meeting on 18 Oct, Minister of Culture Sukumol Kunplome told reporters that the cabinet had approved amendments to the 2007 Print Registration Act as proposed by the Ministry.</p>
<p>On 14 Sept, Yongyuth Wichaidit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, told reporters that the previous government’s policy to protect the monarchy was not considered a policy, as it was ‘above’ policy, and to protect the institution was the soul and spirit inherent in the blood of all Thai people.</p>
<p>‘I have always said that we must not doubt loyalty. If anyone does, he or she is not Thai. So Thais must not doubt loyalty because we were born with this word, and we will die with it, no matter what,’ Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha told an audience on 26 July.</p>
<p>The Royal Power Restoration Network submitted a petition signed by 104,136 people demanding the restoration of power to His Majesty the King. They blamed politicians for their corrupt practices and hoped that 10% of the country’s population will bring about changes in the nation.</p>
<p>On 18 May, Anand Panyarachun, former Prime Minister and Chair of the National Reform Committee, held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to discuss the work of his committee which resigned on 15 May.</p>
<p>On 2 May, the Internal Security Operations Command held a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as Director of ISOC, to discuss activities to mobilize the public to protect the monarchy and national security.</p>