<p>So how many of you, dear readers, are seriously attempting to honour the recent request by 2006 coup-leader turned national-reconciliation-maker General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to forget half a decade of political conflict and move on?</p>

<p>While Prachatai.com director Chiranuch Premchaiporn is fearful at the thought of spending the rest of her life in jail, she is determined not to let it grind her down</p>

<p>National reconciliation is an admirable goal but it would be a misplaced goal if Thai society has yet to learn how to co-exist and compete with those who think differently about politics in a peaceful, constructive and democratic manner.</p>

<p>Some Thais just hate other Thais who think differently, especially when it comes to the issue of the monarchy.</p> <p>Supot and Supat Silarat, who last week assaulted Worachet Pakeerut, leader of the Nitirat group of law lecturers who proposed an amendment to the draconian lese majeste law, told police the attack sprang from &quot;differences in opinions&quot;.</p>

<p>They are not shouting &quot;Death to America!&quot; yet, unlike some people in Afghanistan and Iran, but more Thai ultra-royalists have over the past few weeks become rather convinced that Imperial America is behind an alleged attempt to abolish the Thai monarchy.</p>

<p>By now many Thais might have already decided as to where they stand on the fiercely emotional debate over proposed amendments to the controversial lese majeste law. After all, there are only two choices: will you or won't you sign and support the proposed amendment presented by the Nitirat group of law lecturers?</p> <p>I, for one, have already decided.</p>

<p>Pravit Rojanaphruk interviews Robert Amsterdam, lawyer for the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, in Prachatai's 'Core Respondence' TV programme.</p>

<p>Thai society is facing a major test in the way it handles the stark ideological differences on what to do with the controversial lese-majeste law.</p>

<p>One of the least explored aspects of the lese-majeste law is censorship and self-censorship of anything that can be considered even mildly critical of the monarchy.</p>

<p><em>Royalists, liberals savaging rivals with angry attacks, unsubstantiated claims</em></p> <p>It is becoming increasingly normal to see hate speech and slanderous remarks posted on social-networking sites in Thailand.</p>

<p>A new group of royalist academics from eight universities issued a manifesto yesterday attacking those who want to amend or abolish the lese majeste law and vowing to fight what they called the monopoly of Thai politics by a &quot;capitalist political party&quot;.</p>

<p>The National Human Rights Commission will take a stance on what to do with the lese-majeste law by the end of this year, NHRC chairperson Prof Amara Pongsapich said yesterday(Thursday).</p>