House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond has rejected even a debate on the proposed bill to amend the draconian lese majeste law, Article 112.
However, Thailand's law on lese-majeste has one very prominent critic: His Majesty the King. In 2005, after an increase in politically inspired lese-majeste complaints, His Majesty used his annual televised birthday address to convey three concerns: The King, he said, is a human being, and as such should be subject to criticism. Charges against those accused of lese-majeste should be dropped, and those held in jail for lese-majeste should be released. The use of the lese-majeste law ultimately damages the monarchy.
In effect, Speaker Somsak has forbidden us from repeating His Majesty's words, even spoken verbatim in Parliament, or from proposing that we put His Majesty's words into law. What part of His Majesty's words does Speaker Somsak not understand - or disagree with? His Majesty has been gracious enough to note that, "Actually, I must also be criticised. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. The King can do wrong."
If His Majesty can be wrong, who is Khun Somsak, that he cannot be wrong?
On the one hand, this government, like its predecessor, lauds His Majesty's wisdom to the high heavens, and on the other hand, totally ignores His Majesty's advice on the institution he represents and thus should be expert on. Talk about hypocrisy and about ignoring one of the most important institutions we have. Like the red shirts are fond of saying (but not doing): no double standards!
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/11/hm-encouraged-lese-majeste-debate/
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