<p>The multitude of criminal defamation and lese majest&eacute; cases that has arisen in Thailand over the last few years, insofar as such cases apply to accused American persons, possibly represent clear and present danger to American persons who are by law and convention protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the Untied States. Whether the 2010 Speech Act does or can add further protection and recourse to counter initiatives against states and persons seen as infringing on First Amendment rights remains an unanswered question.</p>

<p>Joe Gordon wears glasses in the style of John Lennon. They accentuate a sense of his wide-eyed disbelief, at the turn of events that should find him here. &quot;I sleep between men,&quot; he says &quot;on the concrete. When I wake up I can barely move.&quot;</p>

<p>With a number of chances to ask a question directly to PM Abhisit and in numerous interviews I have had with him, one of the things I have been most curious to know is if he would utter any apology after the crackdown in May last year. </p>

<p>On this coming July 3, 2011, there will be a general election in Thailand which apparently looks ordinary as any elections in democratic countries. But for those who follow the political situation in Thailand for many years would see that this is extraordinary election. It is unique in two respects.</p>

<p>Should travelers find themselves on the wrong side of Thai law in a single &quot;lapse in judgment&quot;, it could be all it takes &quot;to lose all your civil liberties&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;On Friday Prachatai reported that dual Thai/U.S. nationality Mr. Joe Gordon had been charged &quot;with l&egrave;se majest&eacute;, inciting unrest and disobedience of the law in public, and disseminating computer data which threatens national security&hellip; The DSI allege that he owns a blog which offers a link to download 'The King Never Smiles', a book banned in Thailand.&quot;</p>

<p>In April 1992, a small band of Cambodian refugees marched alongside orange-swathed monks, as they slowly made their way across the Thai-Cambodian border. So began the first of what would become known as an annual <em>Dhammayatria</em>, or 'procession for peace'.</p>

<p>In a recent interview on <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/12/spanish_judge_baltasar_garzn_on_bin">Democracy Now</a> on 12 May 2011, Judge Baltasar Garz&oacute;n talked with Amy Goodman about atrocity, terror, and the universal need for justice.</p>

<p>I am sure many have noticed that Sanam Luang has been closed for more than a year, surrounding by high corrugated iron fences? The truth is coming out now. Last time I was in Thailand a few months back one could see through earth and bricks being moved by army trucks and earth moving equipment at night time moving back and forth, from south to north; activities tightly confined and controlled by the military.</p>

<p>I have been involved in many l&egrave;se majest&eacute; cases with different outcomes and under different circumstances. My involvement has been as a defendant, a defense witness, a publisher, and as an organizer of discussions, and as someone who has campaigned against the use of l&egrave;se majest&eacute;. On Wednesday, 11 May, when Professor Somsak Jeamteerasakul goes to hear the charges brought against him, 11 May, it will mark a turning point for l&egrave;se majest&eacute;. This is the case for the following reasons:</p>

<p>On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, throngs of supporters of the right to speak, including many so-called &ldquo;Red Shirts&rdquo;, will again lay siege to the Nag Lerng Police Station in downtown Bangkok. Another reminder of the packed room of the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University in late April, when a press conference was held by the Nitirat Group (http://www.enlightened-jurists.com/) and a lecturer who was facing intimidation and imminent legal actions for his exercise of the right to freedom expression.</p>

<p>In 2010, Thailand experienced a fifth consecutive yearly decline in press freedom, moving from 'Partly Free' to 'Not Free' in terms of press freedom, according to Freedom House.</p>