Crackdown on royal critics deepens in Thailand

A political activist was sentenced to 18 years Friday for offending the royal family. Dozens of activists and citizens have fallen foul of a criminal law on royal libel.

|
AFP/Newscom
A supporter of ousted Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Daranee Charncherngsilapakul (c.), is escorted by security guards after her arrival at a court in Bangkok on Friday.

News coverage of political prisoners in Southeast Asia usually means Burma (Myanmar), which is rightly excoriated for keeping opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi behind bars.

But when it comes to the taboo topic of royalty, neighboring Thailand is starting to catch up. Dozens of activists, bloggers, and other citizens have fallen foul of a criminal law on royal libel known as lèse-majesté. Censors have stepped up surveillance of the Internet and snooped on chatrooms.

On Friday, a court in Bangkok sentenced Daranee Charncherngsilapakul to 18 years in jail for offending the royal family. Ms. Daranee, a political activist, was arrested last July after making a series of rabble-rousing speeches. She has said she will appeal the sentence.

In April, an engineer was sentenced to 10 years in jail for posting video on YouTube that was deemed offensive. In January, an Australian author was convicted over a passage about a Thai prince in an obscure novel, but was later pardoned and released. Other similar cases are under police investigation.

Thailand’s constitutional monarchy has long been held in high esteem by its subjects. But a protracted political crisis has begun to erode taboos against frank discussions of royals and the palace's role in public life.

In response, authorities have stepped up efforts to enforce the draconian lèse-majesté law. The crisis has been exacerbated by concerns over the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-serving monarch, and a possibly destabilizing succession.

Daranee belongs to the red-shirt political camp aligned to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006. Opponents accuse Mr. Thaksin of plotting against the crown, which he denies.

Daranee’s speeches were delivered at a public park where political rallies are often held. A red-shirt rally is due to take place this weekend in Bangkok, prompting the government to invoke a tough security law.

In deference to the law, Thai media have been circumspect in reporting on what Daranee actually said. One report said her remarks were “laced with offensive references to the monarchy.”

In fact, her most inflammatory speech was a wide-ranging attack on the 2006 military coup makers and their conservative allies. It drew parallels between Thailand and the fate of royal regimes in France and Nepal.

By the standards of Thai political rhetoric, it was extremely strong stuff. Enough to turn Daranee into Thailand’s latest political prisoner. She probably won’t be the last.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Crackdown on royal critics deepens in Thailand
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2009/0828/crackdown-on-royal-critics-deepens-in-thailand
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe