Facing up to lese majeste

EDITORIAL

Published: 29 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The trial and conviction of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk has once again put Thailand in an uncomfortable spotlight. At home, there is concern about how lese majeste cases are decided, prosecuted and punished. Outside the country, Thailand is increasingly criticised as a nation where authorities trample on the media and on freedom of expression. Action should be taken to address and correct both these views.

A major problem in addressing the very real flaws in prosecuting and punishing lese majeste offences is the passion that the law brings to any discussion. There can be no updates to lese majeste legislation so long as this continues. Certain groups in the country inflame the debate with baseless charges, which in essence accuse those wishing to amend lese majeste laws of lack of patriotism, or worse.

In this, advocates of legal change too often play into the hands of the knee-jerk ultra-nationalists.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 8 : 30 Jan 2013 at 06.498
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The King has also made his views on this law abundantly clear years ago, however it is the politicians of all sides who are not listening.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 7 : 29 Jan 2013 at 14.117
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Biggest conundrum is that the very law itself prevents the application and judicial process of this law from being transparent. In other words, how can we truly know the extent of guilt of the convicted if the details of what was said cannot be released.
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ron1947
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Discussion 6 : 29 Jan 2013 at 09.136
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I agree with discussion 5. Britain and the Netherlands, to name just two, having long-standing monarchies that survive and thrive under a totally different set of laws.
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NangrongJ
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Discussion 5 : 29 Jan 2013 at 08.545
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Other monarchies survive and indeed evolve and in turn maintain popularity and respect. Thais, and I mean all Thais have a special place in their heart for the monarchy. Trying to force such draconian laws but eventually backfire.
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felixqui
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Discussion 4 : 29 Jan 2013 at 08.034
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" the aim of all citizens"
This is repeated everywhere on a regular basis.
What is the evidence that it's true? Where are the reliable surveys on what Thai people really think on this matter of great public concern?

No one knows. No one can know even what Thai citizens think because any reliable survey is strictly illegal under the LM laws.

All censorship necessarily enforces ignorance on the topic censored, so we should perhaps be asking those who favour LM and the suppression of free speech that offends them why they insist on ruling out any possibility of a well-founded, informed opinion on the topics censored.
Is it rational
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pjt
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Discussion 3 : 29 Jan 2013 at 07.443
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Is not the main problem with S112 is that it is now being abused for political purposes? Those who genuinely wish to protect the monarchy and the royal family must urgently find a way to end this abuse. If changing the law to curtail abuse and bring it back to its original and accepted purpose is difficult why not start by introducing a special review panel - composed perhaps of Privy councillors - to review each case and ensure that an offence has indeed been committed against the monarchy and that the prosecution of a particular case under s112 is justified and reasonable in the circumstances of that case
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amazed
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Discussion 2 : 29 Jan 2013 at 05.592
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Common sense should be enough for those concerned about protection of the monarchy to agree to a tightening of the lese majeste law. To allow, or even obstruct such an action is to invite a more general and determined dismantling of the law because of the extreme abuse in the enforcement and extreme punishments resulting from the misuse of the law.
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bedouin
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Discussion 1 : 29 Jan 2013 at 05.091
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Why in the present age, should anyone or institution be above critical scrutiny?
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Facing up to lese majeste | Bangkok Post: opinion