Army advises Nitirat to shut up | Bangkok Post: news

The seven Thammasat law professors known as the Nitirat (enlightened jurists) group, have been warned to stop calling for a change in the lese majeste law by national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

"I don't understand their objective, because when a law is violated officials have to take legal action, without any exceptions, and the process is all in line with legal procedures," Gen Prayuth said on Monday.

He called on Nitirat not to put the monarchy in the middle of "the conflict" because the monarchy is above it.

"The monarchy is not involved in accusing anyone. If a person makes a mistake, His Majesty the King can still grant a royal pardon," the army chief said.

He said offenders could not make the excuse that they did not know the law, or had no bad intentions.

"I want to ask the Nitirat academics this - if someone curses at their guardians, parents or relatives, would they accept it?

"Thai society cannot continue to exist if we let people violate the defamation law, and as a Thai person I don't want to see more damage to the country.

"I ask the Nitirat to stop their movement and stop linking the army with everything," Gen Prayuth said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the Nitirat group has the right to gather 10,000 signatures for a petition demanding reform of the lese majeste law, but warned that its members must abide by the law.

Ms Yingluck said the group's exercise of academic freedom and the right to freedom of expression must be respected.

However the movement should ensure a peaceful campaign and proceed within the framework of law. No one should exploit the royal institution and people must help protect it, she said.