By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>Lese majeste allegations came into focus again yesterday, as foreign media become more interested in the growing number of charges and about what's really happening in Thailand.</p>
By Achara Ashayagachat |
<p>Critic of the monarchy Somsak Jeamteerasakul was warmly cheered by a hundred supporters when summoned this morning to Nang Lerng Police Station to hear a lèse majesté charge regarding his response to <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/2406">Princess Chulabhorn’s comments.</a></p>
<p>Somsak Jeamteerasakul reported to the police with many supporters and reporters present at the police station. He denied the lèse majesté charge and said that he will fight the case. An air force officer who faces a similar charge was also there to give him moral support.</p>
By Thanapol Eawsakul |
<p>I have been involved in many lèse majesté cases with different outcomes and under different circumstances. My involvement has been as a defendant, a defense witness, a publisher, and as an organizer of discussions, and as someone who has campaigned against the use of lèse majesté. On Wednesday, 11 May, when Professor Somsak Jeamteerasakul goes to hear the charges brought against him, 11 May, it will mark a turning point for lèse majesté. This is the case for the following reasons:</p>
By Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) |
<p>A Thai history professor who is outspoken on issues concerning the monarchy now faces a complaint of lèse majesté filed by the Royal Thai Army, the independent news website Prachatai.com reported.</p>
<p>The latest signal of the worsening atmosphere of freedom of expression in Thailand is the summoning of Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul to the police station to hear charges filed against him by the Army. </p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>The recent spate of lese majeste charges against opponents of the government - including academics, journalists and red-shirt leaders - is creating a climate of fear that has further politicised the monarchy, critics say.</p>
<p>The Constitutional Court has postponed its ruling on the case of Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul to 17 Oct, the Criminal Court told her lawyer Prawase Praphanukul yesterday.</p>
<p>On 8 May, a group of about 20 people held a rally to call for the abolition of Article 112 of the Criminal Code at various BTS stations.</p>
<p>The UDD’s moves which ‘threaten, offend and violate’ the monarchy result from the ‘Lom Chao’ (overthrow the monarchy) movement which has been widely spreading its influence and dominating the core leaders, said a presenter of a news programme on the government-owned National Broadcasting Services of Thailand on 2 May.</p>
By Socialist Party of Malaysia |
<p>Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) is deeply concerned over the re-arrest of labour activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and worried about his safety in the prison.</p>
<p>Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a prominent historian from Thammasat University, is another victim of lese majeste law. The Thai army has officially filed a complaint against Dr. Somsak and he is due to hear the detail of the charge at Nang Lerg Police Station in Bangkok this coming Wednesday at 10am.</p>