Laws to protect Thai royalty stifle discourse

"If we're going to have political reform, then we have to abolish the lèse-majesté laws. We have to be able to talk about the important issues in Thai society and the role of the monarchy," says Giles Ungpakorn, a professor of politics at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, who has organized protests against the coup.

The law has been on the books for a century, but was used sparingly until 1976, when a right-wing junta seized power and raised the maximum penalty to 15 years in jail. Since then, the number of cases has surged, despite constitutional safeguards on free speech, says David Streckfuss, a US expert on Thailand.

"It's crept into the entire Thai political discourse, creating a black hole in the center. As soon as you touch on certain topics, suddenly everything stops," he says.

Even more delicate than discussing Bhumibol's reign, the ninth in the Chakri dynasty that began in 1782, is the question of his successor. The ailing monarch, who underwent spinal surgery last year, is increasingly ceding ceremonial duties to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. But the prince's choice of royal consorts has fueled unkind gossip behind closed doors, as well as talk of an ancient prediction that the dynasty would end at the ninth reign.

In the information age, it is hard to keep a lid on such speculation, says Mr. Sulak. "When you want to suppress the truth, the suppression must go the whole hog. But with the Internet now, it's not possible," he says.

Sulak, a British-educated lawyer and Buddhist scholar, is facing two separate lèse-majesté cases over articles published in academic journals. He denies showing disrespect, though he says he advocates a modernization of the crown similar to that of European royalty, and the repeal of lèse-majesté laws, so that the institution remains relevant to Thailand.

US-born Bhumibol himself discussed lèse-majesté in a speech in 2005, saying that constructive criticism could be useful for a monarch. Observers say that the laws are frequently invoked by politicians to attack opponents, such as the cases filed against Thaksin, who is currently living in exile. His rival Sondhi Limthongkul, a publisher, is also facing several lèse-majesté investigations over his public speeches.

But there's little appetite here to challenge the orthodoxy behind the laws, says Thanapol Eawsakul, editor of "Fah Diew Gan" (Same Skies), a leftist quarterly. He was questioned last year by police after lèse-majesté charges were filed over an issue, later suppressed, exploring the powers of the king.

"They can't loosen up now just because Bhumibol has a great reputation. What is monarchy but an institution based on a family dynasty?" says Paul Handley, US author of "The King Never Smiles," a critical biography of Bhumibol that's banned in Thailand.

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