I have explained several times that this law exsists to protect the Thai Monarchy from criticism. Recently there have been several high profile cases that have resulted in people of all nationalities being imprisoned for either critcising or allowing other people to break law 112.
Now the intelligency of Thailand are asking for reforms to #112, Academics and students at Thammasat University have formed the Nitirat Group to call for the wholesale amendment and hopefully the end of #112. To tow the line, the University as distanced itself from this group and as banned all debate on the subject. In all fairness you can't blame them. In the 70's. dozens of students were massarced by Government sponsered gangs, the crack down was savage and there are plenty of footage on Youtube that is very gruesome.
I, however do wonder. Is all this commotion that seems only to be between High level Thai's and foreigners living in thailand is filtering through to the public at large? I believe they have more to be bothered about, plus the establishment is deliberately not discussing the subject in the media. I say "Not discussing", I really mean, they can't discuss it. If an Editor dare show any sort of support for the Nitirat Group they could expect a black bag visit at best.
This lack of debate is really sad. I think that Thai people are more than capable of having a reasonable debate, but like most things in Thailand, its the Elite who decide who discuss's what.
No comments:
Post a Comment