- by Ranger, Thai Intel‘s political journalist
About four years ago, a friend, Naganadeleg, then an orange shirt, asked me the question, quote: “How do I support Taksin when Taksin is a dictator.”
- I remember telling him that Taksin was the closest Thailand ever had, to a popular democratic government and that if Taksin returned to Thailand, and start his many dictatorship ways again, there are many Taksin supporters, including me, who will quit supporting Taksin and start trashing him.
And thus the historical flow, of people like me, who fight for democracy, liberty, justice and human rights, going from supporting Taksin to supporting Yingluck.
The question here is more than about how the scale tilts.
- But the last straw, has just been reached, as far as Yingluck turning into another dictatorship goes. Yesterday, Yingluck’s ICT Minister, launched the Cyber Command Operation Center, packed with the latest technology, with a major mandate of going after lese majeste offenses in Thailand, in a move quote: “To protect the Thai Royalty.”
OK, as Thai Intel have pointed out, it is not all of Yingluck’s fault. Arguably, the second Yingluck tries to amend the horrifically in-humane 112 lese majeste laws, that might be her last second as Thailand’s prime minister.
Furthermore, lese majeste is being, intentionally used, by the Democrat party, to reach out to the Yellow Shirts after the relations between the two soured, and that the Democrat Party, is intentionally using the lese majeste to move Yingluck towards supporting a Royalism radicalism-as a way to place a wage between her more liberal Red Shirts supporters and her government.
- And yet, even with all the above, how do a person who fights for democracy, liberty, justice and human rights-are suppose to take Yingluck’s drift towards a radical use of the 112 lese majeste law?
Again, it is not only about a balancing act.
- According to the balancing theory, as talked about by the grassroots Red Shirts, Yingluck needs the continued support of the more liberal Thais, because she is the last chance for democracy to develop in Thailand, but at the same time, liberals like Jai Ungparkorn, who is calling for the Red Shirts to quit their support of Yingluck, needs to be taken into account.
As for Thai Intel, we think the best strategy is to support Yingluck, when her governments conforms to the benchmark, being democracy, liberty, justice and human rights-but at the same time, it is important to criticize her, when she fails that benchmark.
- The following is from New Mandala:
The early signs from the Yingluck government on lese majeste reform are far from promising. In response, 112 scholars have signed this open letter (in English and Thai). The press release announcing the letter is provided below.
August 31, 2011
112 Scholars call for reviews of Article 112 and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act
International concern for human rights in Thailand has been made clear in an open letter to Thailand’s Prime Minister, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra.
112 international scholars have signed a letter calling for reviews of lese majeste and computer crimes laws in Thailand. The letter draws attention to human rights issues and the political use of lese majeste (Article 112 of the Criminal Code) and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act.
The scholars call on Ms. Yingluck’s government to review the cases of those already charged and convicted, review the laws as they are currently used, and to release on bail those prisoners currently fighting their cases in the courts.
Since 2005, the use of the lese majeste law has seen a huge increase in the number of charges coming before Thai courts. Statistics from the Office of the Judiciary show a 1,500% increase. Many of these cases are related to the political conflict that has been constant since the 2006 military coup.
Dr. Kevin Hewison, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Thai studies expert comments, “The political abuse of these laws has seen a precipitous deterioration of human rights in Thailand. Censorship of web sites, self-censorship in the media and many, many charges of disloyalty mean serious restrictions on freedom of expression.”
These draconian laws that mean that those convicted can spend up to 15 years in jail on each charge. Recent convictions have seen jail terms of 3 to 20 years. Chiranuch Premchaiporn, a webmaster for the independent Prachatai web site, returns to court this week, and faces charges that could mean 20 years in prison.
The concern expressed by these scholars from 15 countries and territories is heightened by recent decisions on prosecutions. Political activist, unionist and editor Mr. Somyos Preuksakasemsuk was detained for 84 days before being sent for prosecution on lese majeste charges. Like Mr. Somyos, American citizen Mr. Joe Gordon was held for 84 days before being charged for offences that are alleged to have taken place in the U.S.A. Bail has been refused in both cases.
Dr. Michael Connors, a Thai Studies specialist and Associate Professor at LaTrobe University observes: “The continued imprisonment without bail of those charged with lese majeste is a completely disproportionate and punitive response to an alleged crime.”
Academic freedom has been attacked. Charges and threats like those targeting Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, an associate professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University, mean that scholars are unwilling to speak freely.
After several years of political conflict in Thailand, the advent of a new government offers the first opportunity in several years to review the use of these oppressive laws.
Dr. Tyrell Haberkorn, an expert on human rights issues in Thailand and a Research Fellow at the Australian National University states: “Without the urgent review of Article 112 and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act, with serious attention to possible repeal and immediate release of those currently imprisoned or detained awaiting trial, there is no hope for the consolidation of the rule of law or the development of a meaningful human rights regime in Thailand.”
For more information, please contact:
Kevin Hewison, khewison@unc.edu
Michael Connors, M.Connors@latrobe.edu.au
Tyrell Haberkorn, tyrell.haberkorn@anu.edu.au
2 Comments
Not a lot of reasons to support her lately – IMO, it will only be because the opposition are worse that she keeps any (progressive) redshirt support..
i am very disappointed