By Andrew Spooner |
<p>This is part two of my recent interview with leading Thai historian and academic, the former student leader, Dr. Thongchai Winichakul. Part one can be found <a href="http://bit.ly/HfEW2D">here</a>.</p>
By Freedom Against Censorship Thailand |
<p>You're invited! Come to support Somyot Pruksakasemsuk on these upcoming trial dates as trial observers.</p>
<p>As much may be learned from prosecution witnesses as the defence.</p>
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>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk |
<p>The draconian and controversial lese majeste law as well as the Computer Crimes Act ensures that freedom of expression regarding anything mildly critical of the monarchy institution could be punishable by heavy jail sentences. Thais who live outside the prison should rethink the nature of their ‘free’ society, however.</p>
<p>On 5 April, at Bangkok Remand Prison Somyot Prueksakasemsuk said that he would not plead guilty in his lèse majesté case in order to seek a royal pardon like other lèse majesté defendants and convicts, because he was innocent and if he confessed, he would feel uncomfortable.</p>
By Andrew Spooner |
<p>To anyone interested in Thailand’s recent history and politics Dr. Thongchai Winichakul needs little introduction. A famed academic and historian, now resident in Singapore and the USA, Dr. Thongchai was a student leader during the terrible Thammasat Massacre of 1976 and spent time in prison following those events.</p>
<p>Amphon Tangnoppakul, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for lèse majesté, has decided to withdraw his appeal on the case, and will seek a royal pardon, said his lawyer Anon Nampha on 2 April, citing his old age and health problems as the reason.</p>
<p>The lawyer will ask the court to withdraw the appeal on his client’s behalf today.</p>
<p>Mrs. Rosmalin Tangnoppakul, the wife of Mr. Amphon Tangnoppakul, who was <a href="http://ilaw.or.th/node/1229">prosecuted and convicted to 20 years in prison under Article 112</a>, wrote a letter to Professor Worachet Pakeerut after he was <a href="http://prachatai.com/english/node/3088">assaulted</a> in late February 2012. The attack on Professor Worachet came after the <a href="http://www.enlightened-jurists.org/">Khana Nitirat</a> (“Law for the People”) proposed the <a href="http://www.enlightened-jurists.com/blog/56">amendment of Article 112</a>. Prachatai received permission from Mrs. Rosmalin to publish the letter. </p>
<p>On 30 March, Pol Sub-Lt Pongniwat Yutthaphanboriban, Director-General of the Office of Criminal Litigation of the Office of Attorney General, said that the public prosecutor had decided not to indict Jakraphob Penkair on lèse majesté charges since Sept last year.</p>
<p>On 18 March, a group of activists held a protest at the <a href="http://www.bacc.or.th/">Bangkok Art and Culture Centre</a> against its decision not to permit a cultural event and academic forum entitled ‘Freedom Suspended’ to take place on its premises. The event was to discuss the issues of the monarchy and lèse majesté law.</p>
<p>‘Now all of us feel guilty and are very sorry for what we have done wrong. So we have decided not to fight our cases, and have pleaded guilty so that the court would decide on our punishment to end court proceedings, and we could exercise our right to petition for a royal pardon’, say the convicts in their letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dated 9 March.</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>