<p>Warawut Thanangkorn, known as Suchart Nakbangsai in cyber political forums, who was arrested for lèse majesté on 1 Nov, told Prachachat Thurakij newspaper that he would not fight his case in court, and expected to do time in jail and then seek leniency for an early release as in the cases of <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1940">Suwicha Thakor</a> and <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1931">Bunyuen Prasertying</a>.</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>In the space of less than a week, the army chief, the defence minister and the police chief have publicly declared war on "the anti-monarchist movement" by vowing to put behind bars those making defamatory remarks about and criticising the institution. The approach is simply wrong, is undemocratic and won't solve the "problem".</p>
<p>The court has approved arrest warrants for two women who were caught in photographs writing offensive messages during a red-shirt rally at the Democracy Monument on 10 Oct.</p>
<p>The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation says it will deal with unregistered community radio stations, some of which are divisive and offensive.</p>
<p>On 19 Oct, Kittichai Charnchoengsilpakul told Prachatai that last week he and a foreign academic visited his sister Daranee in prison. The prison authorities did not permit the foreign academic to visit her, citing the more restricted regulations of the prison. Kittichai was told by Daranee during his visit that the authorities told her that red shirts would not be allowed to visit her. </p>
<p>Daranee has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for lèse majesté offences, and her case is now on appeal.<br />
</p>
<p>On Oct 12, at Government House, Boworn Yasintorn, representing the People's Volunteer Network for the Protection of the Monarchy, submitted a petition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, ICT Minister Juti Krairiksh, and Justice Minister Peerapan Saleeratwipak, asking them to take measures against lèse majesté content on Facebook. </p>
<p>A shoe repairer has been charged with lèse majesté and denied bail for calling 191 to make a bomb threat against Siriraj Hospital.</p>
By Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) |
<p>The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) has sent an open letter to PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, expressing its concerns over the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression in Thailand and calling on him to look into the issue as he has always promised to do.</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk |
<p>Khon Kaen-based scholar David Streckfuss recently completed a seminal book on lese majeste law entitled “Truth on Trial in Thailand: Defamation, treason, and lese-majeste” published by Routledge. He answered questions by Pravit Rojanaphruk about lese majeste law and more. Excerpts: </p>
<p><strong>1) Many people who support lese majeste law say Thailand and its monarchy is unique thus the law is needed. What's your view?</strong></p>
By Thaweeporn Kummetha, Thai Netizen Network |
<p>BANGKOK Oct.2 -- The arrest and legal procedure of the case against Prachatai director Chiranuch Premchiaporn were both unfair and unlawful, said Chiranuch’s attorney.</p>
<p>Chiranuch’s lawyer Anon Nampa, who drove from Saraburi province to accompany her during the interrogation at Khon Kaen provincial police station in Northeastern Thailand, said the charges against her are too severe and constitute unjustifiable use of law.</p>
<p>“The charges are filed at random,” Anon said. “It clearly is political slandering.”</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of prachatai.com, an online newspaper, which is regarded by some as being pro-red and has been blocked since April, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Friday on charges of lese majeste and violating the computer crime law over comments posted by other users. Upon returning from a seminar on cyber liberty in Hungary, she was driven straight to Khon Kaen province to face charges filed against her two years ago. She is now out on Bt200,000 bail and tells The Nation's Pravit Rojanaphruk about her ordeal. Here are some excerpts:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1285774283&grpid=03&catid">Matichon Online</a>, September 29, 2010 - Website <a href="http://www.meechaithailand.com/index1.html">MeechaiThailand.com </a>owned by Meechai Ruchupan, former President of the Senate, veteran government legal advisor, and former President of the Council of the State, answers a law-related question on lèse majesté from Kraiwan Kasemsin.</p>