- By Ranger, Thai Intel’s political journalist
In America, a quarter, is mostly refereed to a coin, being 25% of a dollar. And actually, the combination of the UN, EU, USA and every global class human rights and freedom of expression body-is like a big chunk of the global currency. And Thailand, compared to all of that, is actually-a very few pennies, not even a quarter.
- Well, earlier on, in responding to the UN calling for Thailand to reform lese majeste law, the Yinglck government said, quote: “The Thai government needed more time to study the usage of lese majeste laws in Thailand.
That off course, leaves open the possibility of reform.
- Yet, yesterday, Yingluck government, flatly denied global concern, and called those that have criticized Thailand’s lese majeste usage, including the UN, EU, USA and every global class human rights body, as, quote: “Some Quarters.”
That off course, leaves very little room open for the possibility of reform-entirely, down-playing global concern.
- Thai Intel, just want to remind our readers, that as Yingluck government insists, the Thais have freedom of expression (see attached), every global class freedom of expression body, have said there is little freedom of expression in Thailand.
It is to the point, that Thailand today, is rated by Freedom House, as a “Not Free” country.
- The following is a statement by the Yingluck Government:
The Use of the Lèse-Majesté Law in Thailand (16/12/2011)
The Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, said that the lèse-majesté law is not aimed at curbing people’s rights to freedom of opinion and expression nor the legitimate exercise of academic freedom, including debates about the monarchy as an institution.
The statement was made in response to media enquiries about recent expressions of concerns by some quarters regarding the use of the lèse-majesté law in Thailand. He said that the lèse-majesté law is part of Thailand’s Criminal Code, which also contains general provisions on defamation and libel of private individuals. The law gives protection to the rights or reputations of the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent in a similar way libel law does for commoners.
As in other democratic societies, he said, Thai people enjoy their constitutional rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression. Differing views are aired widely and there is vibrant debate on all aspects of life. However, those who abuse their rights by spreading hate speeches or distorted information to incite violence and hatred among Thais, as well as towards the monarchical institution, in contravention to the law – whether through the internet, on-line social networks, communication devices or otherwise – have to be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The legal proceedings against Mr. Amphon Tangnoppakul and Mr. Lerpong Wichaikhammat (Joe Gordon) were carried out in accordance with Thai law. Both men have been accorded due process as provided by the Thai Criminal Procedures Code, including the right to fair trial, due opportunity to contest the charges, and assistance from their lawyer. They are also entitled to the right to appeal.
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1 Comment(s)
Once again A thai government talks through its collective a…. How can anyone get a fair trial in Thailand when the judges are actually blind to justice. Proving your innocence in any court of law goes against any rational thinking. It is up to the prosecution to prove beyond a doubt that one is guilty. In Da Torpedo’s case the decision by the judges was not based on what she actually said but what they percieved she had said. Your judges are now superhuman as they use mind reading techniques.