Writer jailed for 'insulting' Thai royals

[Voice]

Writer jailed for 'insulting' Thai royals Australian writer Harry Nicolaides is jailed for three years after being found guilty of insulting the Thai monarchy in his novel.

Today news from the BBC, after heard the news I thought that maybe it time that maybe we should all discussing this kind of rules that apply for foreigner. As most Thai are well aware that to talk about les Majesty or roy_l Family what kind of rules of law will apply to them. In 21century throughout the world of democracy people have more right for free speech and expression. Why does Thailand still live in the old les Majesty rules today rather than real democracy? We are all well aware that \\ ///// has done many good things for his people and well respect by all Thai and foreigners around the world. As we are all human it is possible that one could make some mistake along the way. To rectify our mistake we should be able to accept the truth. I have much respect for the R_yal family and I also have much respect for my freedom of speech and expression. Therefore my question is does we need to apply the same rules to the R_yal family as we have apply for \\ /////? Does they deserve the same right rules of law to \\ ///// good example? Do you think that Thai monarchy should forgive Harry Nicolaides and allowing him some room as a foreigner who might not be aware of these rules? I am not trying to provoke disrespect for his les Majesty rules but I think we need to address this issue much further.

[SARDINES]

Stategically, I believe that powers made a big boo-boo in enforcing it it so harshly this time and even jailing the writer. This will bring a unwanted hail storm concerning the issue of this law and major bad publicity that the powers be, don't want OR should not want.

I think sombody(ies) have shot themselves in the foot.

SARDINES

[SARDINES]

I hope journalists everywhere and NGO's can keep the limelight and pressure on this.

SARDINES

[Voice]

Hi Sardines, I totally agree with you about they have shot themselves in the foot. In the time that Thailand should be promoting itself to the world that it a place to be rather than close it door because of the mistake made by a foreigner. If this book has address some issue that would reflect the issues that need to be addressing then this situation would reflect bad image for Thailand. They already thought that Thai democracy is a big joke, now it has proven itself further more of how un-democracy we are.

[pachangamac042]

Voice, you remember, some month ago, when some silly kids in Barcelona province burned some pictures of my rºyals, what my k*ngs comment about it was? “We live in a free country and I guess they have the right to burn photos.” The authorities did not see it the same way, we got laws in Spain, and they prosecuted the kids. Not sure Don J C cared much about it.

Maybe that is the difference between a modern country and country living on the dark side of the moon?

[triptrip]

I have much respect for the R_yal family and I also have much respect for my freedom of speech and expression. Therefore my question is does we need to apply the same rules to the R_yal family as we have apply for \\ /////? Does they deserve the same right rules of law to \\ ///// good example?

Actually, if the same rules for us is applicable to the Rayol family then the Rayol family can sue anyone who defames them in the court of law, just like the man on the street dont you think?

The rayol family does attract a lot of attention and naturally some people may want to provoke them like say something really nasty but without proper evidence supporting their claims. Much like a celebrity who is in the limelight all the time and people writing ludicrous claims about their personal life, think of the recent "pregnancy" of Lydia.

If I say your family or mum is a \\\ /////, would you not be insulted and sue me for defamation unless I have 100% evidence that your mom indeed sold her body? Even if that's true, there's no need for me to tell the whole world about it with or without your consent.

Sometimes, I think it's really difficult to be in the Rayol family since it's really a case of danmed if you do and danmed if you don't.

p.s. I dont support the lese majeste law as I think it's outdated.

[Voice]

Hi triptrip, I do understand what you’re said but at what length does one take to justification to what more or less said and what kind of sentences would fit the criteria. If my mother were to be what you said she is or was then by taking you to court would not solve my problem does it, of course if my mother isn’t what you say she is then I have the right to argue. I think if the crown feels strongly about what said in the book, than they could have deported him and not allow him to be return again, which I think it would have limited the damaged cause and maintain our good reputation. At the moment Thailand is very much in the eye of the whole world after last political crisis. We should show outsider that we have some tolerance and very much believe in democratic way of lives.

[SARDINES]

I have much respect for the R_yal family and I also have much respect for my freedom of speech and expression. Therefore my question is does we need to apply the same rules to the R_yal family as we have apply for \\ /////? Does they deserve the same right rules of law to \\ ///// good example?

Actually, if the same rules for us is applicable to the Rayol family then the Rayol family can sue anyone who defames them in the court of law, just like the man on the street dont you think?

The rayol family does attract a lot of attention and naturally some people may want to provoke them like say something really nasty but without proper evidence supporting their claims. Much like a celebrity who is in the limelight all the time and people writing ludicrous claims about their personal life, think of the recent "pregnancy" of Lydia.

If I say your family or mum is a \\\ /////, would you not be insulted and sue me for defamation unless I have 100% evidence that your mom indeed sold her body? Even if that's true, there's no need for me to tell the whole world about it with or without your consent.

Sometimes, I think it's really difficult to be in the Rayol family since it's really a case of danmed if you do and danmed if you don't.

p.s. I dont support the lese majeste law as I think it's outdated.

Hi triptrip,
The difference with the lese majeste law and the above taking to court on slander is that under the lese majeste law, whether it is true or not, you face imprisonment. If what's said or printed is true even with evidence to back up, if an insult is made, you get a ticket to jail (criminal code article 12)

if the law is good or not in it's current state, you decide. I can't comment much on this

[Just-1-Voice]

If you do some research, you soon find that the current ruling situation in Thailand is not an “ancient tradition”, but is actually a “modern creation” that was brought about by politicians with a need to have a focal point for everyone to look to. This image was carefully and studiously crafted in order to create the image it has today, with many new “traditions” being “invented”, but being sold to the populace as things that have always been, or were at one time, and had to be brought back.

Research will also show that there are many who feel he has not always been the “All Knowing Father” who always does what is best for his people, or who has always made the right political decision, yet these things are quickly washed away, or “cleansed” by others to make things right so that no stain falls upon him of his family, thereby perpetuating the image that has been so carefully cultivated.

Therefore, anyone who dares write a book or article in which less than flattering comments appear is doing so at his/her own risk, as the Les Majesty laws will be quickly leveled against them in order to maintain the “purity” of the institution, all this despite the fact that he has stated himself that he is also human and therefore not above criticism. But if you look closely, not one incident involving the arrest and jailing of someone for the violation of this seriously outdated and overused law has come from the palace. It has been the police, and others, who weld this like a club on the head of anyone they feel justified in doing so. In many cases those they have convicted have later been pardoned by him and they are allowed to go free, providing of course they leave the country.

While I can see something of a need for this law, it, like any other, can be abused and seriously overused in far too many situations by those who wish to do so, and have the authority to do so. Personally I think the law should be completely stricken from the books, or at least brought under control for use against only the most serious cases of violation.

In every other democratic country in the world, the people have the right of freedom of speech to talk about their rulers. Look at the leaders and political figures in the U.S. and Briton for example. Their leaders care constantly under attack by those who oppose them, and those attacks are in every form of news media available. Political cartoons lambasting their leaders appear almost daily in the print media. Yet, no one goes to jail for them, unless, of course, they make an actual threat against an individual in regards to personal harm to them or their family, or death which, to me, is the way it should be.

I think the original intention of this law was relatively good and benign, but over the years it has been strengthened, distorted and abused by the military and police to a nearly fanatical level. Now is the time to carefully review this law and either return it to a more benign law, or abolish it completely, which I think would be the best thing to do. How can you have true freedom of speech with a carelessly made comment can put you in jail for up to 15 years? How can a country claim to promote “free speech”, but only as long as you don’t talk about certain subjects or people?

[pachangamac042]

Sorry for repeating myself here. For the ones, who read the joke of the day topic.

“Nicolaides wrote a novel four years ago, which contained a brief passage referring to an unnamed crown pr*nce. It sold just seven copies.

His self-published book, called Verisimilitude, was hardly well-received; in fact the only copy which is still known to exist sits on the shelf of the Thai National Library, freely available to the public.” BBC online news, yesterday.

Common Thai courts get real! This hole country is becoming more and more a never ending joke. That is how Thailand wants to polish its image in the world? Presumed to be, is good enough for a sentence?

And the best thing is, the book is in the Thai National Library, freely available to the public?