National police chief will scrutinise Tob Jote for lese majeste offences

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LESE MAJESTE

Top policeman enters 'Tob Jote' fray

Published: 21 Mar 2013 at 01.02
Online news: Politics

The national police chief will review the entire five-part Tob Jote series aired on Thai PBS to see if it broke any laws. The last programme in the series, which involved a debate on the role of the monarchy, has stirred controversy after it was abruptly cancelled only to be aired a few days later.

About 100 people rallied at the Thai PBS headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road Wednesday to demand station director Somchai Suwanban resign over the broadcasting of the controversial debate on the role of the monarchy. (Photo by Surapol Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn)

National police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew said he has instructed the authorities to provide him with all necessary information including the Tob Jote script.

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rossaya
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Discussion 27 : 21 Mar 2013 at 18.2927
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#25, what an enormity... "Somyot and "Ah Kong" made multiple, specific threats of violence which would land you in jail for up to 20 years in even the most "progressive" countries". Give a name of only one of this progressive countries. I can guarantee that what you wrote is 100% wrong.
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peterl
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Discussion 26 : 21 Mar 2013 at 18.2726
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Disc 16 I couldn't have put it better myself! I completely agree; serious discussion about the monarchy makes it stronger not weaker as it helps it to adapt to changing times. Driving dissent underground is far more dangerous. I recall Abhisit in a recent BBC interview being asked about his party's position on the lese majeste law. He said the latter is not intended to stifle serious public debate. Does he have the courage of his convictions to speak out now? If the police chief has genuine grounds for thinking Tob Jote has broken the law he should pursue his inquiries behind closed doors.
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ATNN
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Discussion 25 : 21 Mar 2013 at 17.3725
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Looks to me the only people rotting in jail now are Thaksin's lackeys. It is unfortunate that Thaksin has duped these people into being such violent, ugly, hateful people, but most of them, including Somyot and "Ah Kong" made multiple, specific threats of violence which would land you in jail for up to 20 years in even the most "progressive" countries. What we're really talking about here is a despot attempting to overthrow and replace Thailand's long-standing order behind the guise of "freedom" and "progress." Rational debate requires honesty - which is currently lacking on both sides of the LM issue.
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ATNN
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Discussion 24 : 21 Mar 2013 at 17.2924
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Genuine debate is not only acceptable, but necessary. However, the waters have been muddled by the man in Dubai, his many false fronts, including his "academic" Nitirat, and his US-funded Prachatai and its various, insidious affiliates. If open, progressive debate is important to you, be just as outraged at those exploiting it to divide and destroy the country, as you are with those censoring it.
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android
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Discussion 23 : 21 Mar 2013 at 16.0223
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The more censorship on this debate issue, the more naive the thai people will be.
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dao
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Discussion 22 : 21 Mar 2013 at 12.0022
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Freedom to express one thoughts is a no brainer .
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jacksprat
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Discussion 21 : 21 Mar 2013 at 11.5721
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Why no outcry or banning of soap operas that regularly feature violence towards women? Presumably that is culturally acceptable.
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rossaya
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Discussion 20 : 21 Mar 2013 at 11.1420
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Except the North Korea apparatchiks, how somebody can only think that the simple thought, absence of debate and censorship are good for him/her Country?
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majority
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Discussion 19 : 21 Mar 2013 at 11.0419
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Since there have been so many debates, which in fact partially or even entirely concern the very old LM law, then it may be the time for everyone to face the issue, and the need to modernize the LM law to fit with the 21st century, instead of keep shunning the issue, or even trying to block any idea (many of them may be in fact very constructive to the country) to amend or modernize the LM law. Why wasting time and efforts to keep trying desperately stop the earth from rotating, or stop the time from moving forward?
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jck
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Discussion 18 : 21 Mar 2013 at 09.3818
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Thais need to understand the real meaning of free speech and open debates on TV are the best ways to educate people. Subjects that are in no way sensitive but seriously affect every Thai are; corruption, the performance (or lack thereof) of the police and the role of the military in relation to the government are all perfect subjects for TV debates. The only problem may be to persuade Thais to watch them rather than the usual soaps.
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