There seems to be a clear conflict of interest that would be prohibited in an official translation. Given the conflict of interest, credentials seem to be irrelevant.

And why does it suddenly become an issue one year after the speech was given? It took one year for them to understand the speech and then use it as a basis for a legal suit?

Is this rule by law?

…deputy chairwoman of the Klai Kangwon long-distance learning via satellite project.”

Heads up, Sidh, an example of network monarchy. A less nefarious part of the network, but surely you can see the connection between coup, crown, and capital.

“First Army commander Lt-Gen Prayut Chan-ocha was among those behind the 2006 overthrow of the Thaksin government…

…his wife, Naraporn, an associate professor of English at Chulalongkorn University.

Mrs Naraporn found herself in the hot seat after translating statements PM’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair made in English at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) last year. Copies of the translation were released to chiefs of military units.

Mr Jakrapob…said the translation contained inaccuracies leading to readers misunderstanding what he actually said at the FCCT….He is expected to finish his own translation of the transcript today and has vowed to compare it closely against any translation which came out earlier.

His translation will be also be distributed to the military as a direct challenge to the version made available to the unit chiefs.

Mrs Naraporn is unfazed by the criticism of her translation. With a string of credentials behind her she holds important positions in education fields, including deputy director of management and planning at Chulalongkorn University’s Language Institute, and deputy chairwoman of the Klai Kangwon long-distance learning via satellite project.

Still, Mrs Naraporn has been the target of malicious rumours circulated on the internet by anti-coup activists, who have questioned her motives in making the translation.

…The source said Lt-Gen Prayut had never been drawn into the political quagmire. Those close to him insist the First Army chief harbours no desire to stage a coup and that he jointly directed the Sept 19 coup under orders from his superiors…”

http://www.notthenation.com/pages/news/getnews.php?id=515

Seems like Jakrapob just knew too much for his own good, if the quote from Bangkok Pundit below is true.

Should have used the unambiguous social science term “patron-client” relationship or system (See British National Corpus).

And it doesn’t hurt to end everything you say with an expression of love for His Majesty the King, so people aren’t able to slip in their own malicious interpretations of what you say.

From Bangkok Pundit: “He states that it was a translation error from Thai to English. He says the problem arose as the person who translated “patronage system” translated into Thai as พระบรมราชูปถัมภ์. This is actually the word for Royal Patronage – as in “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. The correct translation for patronage system is “ระบบอุปถัมภ์” which has a completely different meaning. Hence, where Jakrapob criticises the patronage system it was translated as him criticising “Royal Patronage”. We will just have to wait and see what happens although the police officer had previously stated there were translation problems without specifying what.”

Anyhow, I think they are playing their cards well, knowing that censorship will not help their cause. Instead, those perpetuating the anti-monarchy stance needs to tone done their rhetoric and disrespect and focus on winning hearts and minds now that those high up have played their cards. At the moment, most Thais will view these material and enter a state of frenzied royalist reactionary emotions. Instead, reasonable, well supported arguments will actually be able to counter the propaganda. Plus, allowing the violent rhetoric of those animal royalists can also be used against them.

When fighting them, don’t become them.