On April 22, Chotisak Onsoong and Chutima Penpak went to Pathumwan Police Station to hear the charges, and launched a campaign called ‘Not Standing is No Crime, Different thinking is No Crime’. A cyber petition has been launched at www.petitiononline.com, to collect signatures to support their cause.

At about 1.15 pm, Chotisak said in front of Pathumwan Police Station that the police had called his lawyer to postpone the appointment from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. He then read his statement, insisting that, by not standing, he did not have any intent to insult the monarchy, and his ‘sitting still’ did not constitute an offense against the monarchy.

He cited Articles 4 and 28 of the constitution that guarantee the rights and freedoms of Thai people to choose to do or not to do anything in accordance with their beliefs and faiths. And he called for the lèse majesté law, or Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, to be revoked, as it has been used to restrict people’s rights and freedoms and goes against the constitution.

“Many people have exploited the lèse majesté law to destroy their enemies, without taking any responsibility. And the interpretation of the law has become ever broader to the point that anything can constitute a lèse majesté offence”, said Chotisak.

On their complaints, including physical abuse, against Navamintr Witthayakul who filed the lèse majesté charges against them, Chotisak said that he had no idea if there was any progress in the case. They were summoned for questioning only once, and never heard from the police again.

At about 4.20pm, the police took Chotisak and a friend to the second floor of the police station, forbidding reporters from entering. The police stated that they would not hold a press conference about this case.

At http://www.petitiononline.com/Chotisak/petition.html, more than a hundred people have so far signed on the petition to support Chotisak and his friend. Some, however, cursed them and told them to leave the country.

Manager online reports: ‘Anti-Monarchy Gang Crowds Pro-Thaksin Websites’

Manager Group’s ASTV programme moderator Kamnoon Sitthisaman, also a non-elected senator, took notice that anti-coup activist Chotisak’s case was part of a current trend, as was the government’s NBT TV station’s recent report on the fate of the Nepalese monarchy.

Kamnoon pointed out that Chotisak had been active in anti-coup activities of the pro-Thaksin camp.

“Chotisak gave an interview to Prachatai on April 21. The comments by readers of the interview are highly likely to break the law,” he said.

Kamnoon said that Thailand’s democracy is unique, stressing ‘Democracy with the King as Head of State’. During the past 1-2 years, however, some academics, Thai Rak Thai cohorts and members of anti-coup groups have tried to promote just plain ‘Democracy’, or ‘People’s Democracy’, and they saw that there was no need for a Privy Council and a cabinet would suffice.

This new ideology has presented itself through writings and discussions on websites such as Prachatai and Same Sky that share the same stance, many times precariously offensive. Those who post comments on the web-boards use certain ‘code names’ that insinuate the highest institution, and discuss it in ‘unspeakable’ terms, said Kamnoon.

According to Kamnoon, this idea has become ingrained in some people around the same age of Chotisak and younger, who crusade in the cyber world. These youths have apparently come out to show support to Chotisak in this case.

Related news:

Activist denies charge of lèse majesté (Bangkok Post)

Sit down protest lands Thai in royal trouble (Reuters)

Interview with Man Facing Lèse Majesté Charges for Refusing to Stand for Royal Anthem in Cinema

Thai couple faces lèse majesté charges for not standing for royal anthem in cinema