If you have a google around for รัชพิณ จันทร์เจริญ (Rachapin Chancharoen) you will find a fair amount of Thai-language reporting (and blogging, etc) on her case. My understanding is that the story was broken, originally, by Khao Sod. Manager and others have also reported the story to one extent or another. They even have some pictures.

From my reading it is unclear how far this prosecution will go. I get the impression, although I may be mistaken, that this is not another Chotisak…of course, I may be wrong about that.

Best wishes to all,

Nich

As long as you don’t subscribe to the myth that the monarchy is an irreplaceable, supernatural force that has singlehandedly kept the country together and is the essence of Thailand, I will agree to disagree about the pro’s and con’s of a Republican reform, the outcome of which is far too uncertain for any of us to determine, let alone whip up mass hysteria (a la Sondhi L) based on such fears.

Apart from differences in the respective monarchies, your comparison with Nepal is also a bit premature – wait another 60 years and get back to me.

Like it or not, the old power has an established image throughout the world, and has a reputation to uphold – would a replacement new power have those constraints?

A few of you continually hark back to the 1970’s as some sort of evidence of how bad the old power is, but you never seem concerned about putting things into proper context be referring to the mood of those times – remember it was only 1970 when the Kent State massacre occurred, and I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you of the other crimes being perpetrated in the Thai region at the time.

Here’s some ‘relativist drivel’ for you to consider:
Please tally up all the deaths which can be directly attributed by the old power, and then compare that with some of the goings on in other Asian countries, or African, or middle eastern countries.
Or make a comparison with the Iraq death tallies pre & post Saddam.

The Thaksin example makes me think your mere replacement scenario is a strong likelihood, and not just a worst case scenario.

Of course I am not happy with ‘network monarchy’, but I do think it is now premature (or too late) to go the republican route.
The situation may change after a few years under the next monarch.

For there to be any improvement, IMO, there has to be attitudinal change at both the top and bottom (and middle) of the Thai political spectrum.

If the top changes without the bottom, then your worst case will be reality, however if the bottom changes, then eventually the top will be forced to follow suit.

Movement? Not that I’m aware of.

Is (was) Republican a one man band?

Probably, but there are plenty to share Republican views in Thailand. More people than you think, just like there are probably more independent thinkers in Thailand than you think.

Personally, given the nature of Thai politics and the elected politicians we have seen so far, I would have thought that such a move would be premature.

Let’s say Republicanism in Thailand has been around far longer than that. And for a reason too. Its only now seeing a sort of revival.

I see you are still up to your old tricks of accrediting HMK inappropriately. Perhaps it would surprise you then that what is probably the strongest Republican ‘movement’ in Thai history was probably after 1976.

If Thailand were to follow the path of Nepal, the worst case scenario is the replacement of one clique/cabal with another, so I don’t see how Republicanism is “premature” at all. Really, what is the new power going to do that the old one hasn’t? Or, what is the old power doing that the new won’t be able to do?

Say, if there is any mob at Sanamluang again. Then someone come up with loud speaker and play royal anthem 24/7. Would those who move got caught?

IMO, this case show that the spirit of the law on “preserving respect” got lost and substitute by “tradition”. As in business term of “corporate culture”; we do it, but no one know why it was done.

It would have made more sense if lese majeste were to be slap on those who counterfeit money, with the king image and all.

Is (was) Republican a one man band?

Personally, given the nature of Thai politics and the elected politicians we have seen so far, I would have thought that such a move would be premature.