Amid increasing criticism, the country needs a rational approach instead of a policy that is causing conflict
The debate on the merit of the controversial lese majeste law reached a new height earlier this week when Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha defended the law in his surprising nationwide address through Army-controlled Channels 5 and 7.
The move came as increasing numbers of people are calling for a repeal, if not abolition of the law. The topic is no longer limited to a handful of concerned academics and political activists like historians Somsak Jiamteerasakul and Thongchai Winichakul or exiled political scientist cum-red-shirt Ji Ungpakorn but has been embraced by architects, movie directors and even young novelists.
However, with its characteristic self-censorship on virtually all critical issues regarding the monarchy, a majority of the mainstream mass media continue to turn a blind eye to the issue. This has led to a group of writers, with more than 300 signatories, launching an online press conference earlier this week, on Monday, partly as a way of breaking through the wall of self-censorship imposed by the traditional mainstream mass media who are self-appointed gatekeepers of news and information.
This group of writers, led by young high-profile novelists like Wad Rawee, Sakariya Amataya and Prabda Yoon, caught the attention of the wider public and royalists alike as they normally do not involve themselves in launching any political campaign or making joint political statements.
Another group, Awareness 112 - a reference to penal code section 112, which is the other name of the lese majeste law - instead tried to bring people from diverse professions to speak out and raise awareness about the contentious issue.
Like other activists and academics who made the point before them, these groups essentially stated that the lese majeste law is hindering freedom of expression and is undemocratic with its heavy penalty of maximum 15 years' imprisonment.
While many royalists may wish that the debate would simply go away, it is highly unlikely. The fact that His Majesty the King is advancing in age, currently at 83, and has been in hospital for more than a year, has led to much speculation about the future of the institution and the law. Even with the lese majeste law intact, and more than 300 people charged over the past five years, according to experts like Khon Kaen-based scholar David Streckfuss, a growing number of Thais, and not just red shirts, continue to critically discuss the perceived role of the highest institution in politics and society, albeit online or in private.
Some use coded names to discuss the topics while others are more straightforward or even full of angst and resentment. On the other hand, the authorities, including the Army and citizens who are ultra-royalists, are promoting the idea that the highest institution is being severely challenged and threatened like never before.
Both sides are full of passion and have interests to defend, including that of the status quo of the social hierarchy. It is hoped, however, that less emotion and more rational and frank discussion and debate can grow and eventually turn into a long deliberation regarding lese majeste law and the preferred relationship between Thai citizens and the monarchy in a democratic society. As more and more people are joining the call to reform or abolish the lese majeste law or move to defend it, they ought to recognise that the debate can never be resolved through more self-censorship or suppression.
There is too much at stake for Thai society to simply turn a blind eye to this burning issue and pretend as if it does not exist.
