Postbag: Thailand's climate of fear

Postbag

Published: 31 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Dusit Thammarak's argument, ''No right to judge'' (PostBag, Jan 29) saying that the Thai judicial system is now the only institution left the people of Thailand can rely and depend on since ''the parliament and the government are now dead'' rings hollow. Since when does being least bad equate to being good?

Furthermore, his argument that many Thai judges are educated in the West, thus bringing them ''into line with other judicial systems around the world'' also rings hollow. The sentence handed down to Somyot Prueksakasemsuk could have and should have been much less severe. May I remind readers that Thailand was one of the original signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proudly proclaims that the Universal Declaration forms the basis for Thai law and that its principles are firmly embedded in Thailand's 2007 Constitution. It is time for the people and government of Thailand to wake up and speak up. Either live by your international commitments and promises or have the intestinal fortitude to renounce them in favour of your own hybrid brand of democracy and human rights. For those of you (including Khun Dusit) who are not familiar with the Universal Declaration let me conclude by quoting Article No.19: ''Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and import information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.''

Finally, I commend the Bangkok Post for its courageous editorial on the subject of lese majeste _ I just wish it had gone a bit further to include a discussion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But given the climate of fear that exists in Thailand today on this subject, I suppose that the editor's reluctance to speak the sad truth is understandable. Was it not the beloved King of Thailand himself who said that even he should not be above criticism?

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ACR
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Discussion 6 : 31 Jan 2013 at 14.486
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oldairman,

The 2007 Constitution, was written by junta-appointes after the Thai Military Coup. Removing many Thais Rights, reduced the numbers of ELECTED Officials & gave the Judicial/Military much more power.

Yingluck wants to reinstall the "People's Constitution" of 1997, which gave the Thai VOTERS much more power in regulating their Government.

These cases of lèse majesté were enforced during the former PM's rein. Yingluck's government has charged few. Joe Gordon received a 'Royal Pardon' after serving 1+year, as the King has done in almost ALL the convicted cases.

Obama has jailed people & banned travelers for threats & abu
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dao
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Discussion 5 : 31 Jan 2013 at 12.405
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People would speak up but then they would be put in jail .No one wants to touch the subject for fear of this .
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Renaissance
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Discussion 4 : 31 Jan 2013 at 12.174
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I look at the matter in this way. In Thailand you are free to say what you like, anywhere, any time. But the Thai way seems to be that it depends on what you say, and this is where their interpretation of "freedom of expression" is different. You are allowed to express yourself, but be careful that what you say does not offend a politician or the powers-that-be. If you do offend someone "BIG", you will find yourself in trouble. If you say it too often, and Heaven forbid that it affects someone's revenue-making activities or power, then additional measures may be taken. The problem seems to lie in their odd interpretation of "freedom".
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jck
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Discussion 3 : 31 Jan 2013 at 07.523
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Excellent comments Richard. Wake up Thai people and demand your PM gives her own opinion and that of her government on Article 19. ''Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and import information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.''
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pquinlan
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Discussion 2 : 31 Jan 2013 at 07.332
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Good letter, Richard. Well said. However, Thailand, in this respect at least, needs to join the 20th century first.
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oldairman
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Discussion 1 : 31 Jan 2013 at 06.591
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RE Thailands climate of fear page 02
I notice you failed to mention the draconian sentence of 20 years given to Amporn Tangnoppakhun, a 61-year-old retired truck driver and grandfather aka Uncle SMS who died in jail and was charges with supposedly sending a couple of SMS messages. He got twice as long as Somyot Prueksakasemsuk and really didn't know how to send an SMS to one person let alone publish to the Thai nation.
By the way you do realise that the current PTP wants to do away with the current 2007 Constitution completely which of course will do away with many of Thailands rights, check and balances.
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Postbag: Thailand's climate of fear | Bangkok Post: opinion