Received via email:
A group of achans from the Faculties of Arts, Political Science and Economics, Chulalongkorn University, held a press conference at 1 pm this afternoon, Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at Faculty of Political Science. This press conference was in relation to the case of Achan Suthachai Yimprasert of Chula’s History Department who was arrested under the ‘State Emergency Decree of 2005’ on the previous day and is being detained at an army camp in Saraburi, about 100 kilometers north of Bangkok.
A public statement was issued to all media present (press, TV and radio) calling for the return of justice and academic freedom and the release of Achan Suthachai and those who are arrested and charged without any clear evidence. [The statement is provided below.]
แถลงการณ์เรียกร้องความเป็นธรรมและเสรีภาพทางวิชาการ
ตามที่เมื่อเช้าวันจันทร์ที่ 24 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553 เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจได้จับกุมตัวผู้ช่วยศาสตราจารย์ ดร. สุธาชัย ยิ้มประเสริฐ อาจารย์ประจำภาควิชาประวัติศาสตร์ คณะอักษรศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ตามหมายจับในความผิดตาม พ.ร.ก. บริหารราชการในสถานการณ์ฉุกเฉิน พ.ศ. 2548 มาตรา 11 (1) ประกาศให้พนักงานเจ้าหน้าที่มีอำนาจจับกุมและควบคุมตัวบุคคลที่สงสัยว่าจะเป็นผู้ร่วมกระทำการให้เกิดสถานการณ์ฉุกเฉิน หรือเป็นผู้ใช้ ผู้โฆษณา ผู้สนับสนุนการกระทำเช่นว่านั้น หรือปกปิดข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับการกระทำให้เกิดสถานการณ์ฉุกเฉินนั้น และต่อมาถูกนำตัวไปควบคุมไว้ที่ศูนย์การทหารม้าค่ายอดิศร จังหวัดสระบุรี ดังปรากฏเป็นข่าวที่รับทราบทั่วกันแล้วนั้น
คณาจารย์ผู้ห่วงใยในสิทธิเสรีภาพของปวงชนชาวไทยและนักวิชาการผู้เป็นเพื่อนร่วมวิชาชีพของอาจารย์สุธาชัยขอแสดงความกังวลต่อการใช้ข้อหาดังกล่าวในการออกหมายจับและควบคุมตัวอาจารย์สุธาชัยดังนี้
ประการแรก แม้เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจจะมีอำนาจดำเนินการดังกล่าวตามพระราชกำหนด แต่ก็เป็นที่ปรากฏชัดเช่นกันว่าเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจทั้งไม่มีและไม่เคยเปิดเผยหลักฐานชัดเจนหนักแน่นใดๆ อันเป็นองค์ประกอบของฐานความผิดดังกล่าว ที่เป็นเหตุของข้อกล่าวหารุนแรงข้างต้น ให้ผู้ถูกกล่าวหาและสาธารณชนได้รับรู้ การกระทำดังกล่าวนับเป็นการลิดรอนคุกคามเสรีภาพของบุคคล และโดยเฉพาะในกรณีของอาจารย์สุธาชัย ยังเป็นการคุกคามเสรีภาพทางวิชาการอีกด้วย
ประการที่สอง แม้การใช้อำนาจตามความในพระราชกำหนดดังกล่าวเป็นไปเพื่อการระงับสถานการณ์ฉุกเฉิน เกี่ยวข้องกับความมั่นคงของบ้านเมือง และนำสังคมไทยกลับสู่ภาวะปกติ แต่การใช้อำนาจดังกล่าวอย่างครอบคลุมไม่แยกแยะ ปราศจากหลักฐานความผิดที่หนักแน่นชัดเจน ทั้งในกรณีของอาจารย์สุธาชัย และกรณีอื่นๆ มิอาจสร้างสังคมแห่งการปรองดองสมานฉันท์ดังที่รัฐบาลและ ศอฉ. มุ่งหวังและยังอาจนำไปสู่การเพิ่มความหวาดระแวง ความกลัว ความเกลียดชัง และความโกรธแค้น ในสังคมไทยให้ขยายตัว ทวีความเข้มข้นแหลมคมมากขึ้น อันยืนยันได้จากประสบการณ์ทางสังคมและการเมืองของไทยเองในช่วงทศวรรษ 2500-2520
ทั้งนี้ คณาจารย์ฯ และนักวิชาการผู้เป็นเพื่อนร่วมวิชาชีพของอาจารย์สุธาชัย มีความเห็นว่า ทั้งในกรณีของอาจารย์สุธาชัยและกรณีอื่นๆ ที่ไม่ปรากฏหลักฐานชัดแจ้ง สมควรที่เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจปล่อยตัวคืนเสรีภาพให้แก่ผู้ถูกกล่าวหาโดยเร็ว
อนึ่ง คณาจารย์ฯ และนักวิชาการผู้เป็นเพื่อนร่วมวิชาชีพของอาจารย์สุธาชัย ใคร่ขอเสนอไปยังรัฐบาลและ ศอฉ. ให้เร่งพิจารณายกเลิกการใช้พระราชกำหนดฉบับนี้ ซึ่งล่อแหลมต่อการละเมิดสิทธิเสรีภาพของประชาชนจนเกินขอบเขต เพื่อให้การจัดการต่อผู้กระทำผิดเป็นไปตามกระบวนการยุติธรรมดังที่ปรากฏในรัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย
คณาจารย์ผู้ห่วงใยในสิทธิเสรีภาพของปวงชนชาวไทย
29 responses so far ↓
1 The Frog // May 25, 2010 at 9:17 pm
… and yet they did nothing for Giles Ji Ungpakorn.
Chula cannot help but prove itself a contorted amaat ‘institution’ with little backbone or integrity again and again. It institutionally reflects the sorry state of affairs that engulfs Thai hi-so-ciety. Not that this symbolic display from the academics is totally meaningless, more that it’s camp and lame, considering everything else they’ve let slide. But… well done for them for drawing a line in the sand! Too bad the line they drew is in the tide.
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2 Someone else // May 25, 2010 at 9:52 pm
They get on the stage at a rally and are put in a military jail. Kasit gets to be foreign minister. If anyone is having a double standards contest, this has got be be in the running.
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3 Pino striccoli // May 25, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Sorry i cannot read thai. Are you going to give a translation in English ?
Is there a translation in english ?
Thanks
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4 Srithanonchai // May 25, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Is there a list of those lecturers who signed this petition?
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5 chris beale // May 26, 2010 at 2:09 am
The Frog #1 :
“… and yet they did nothing for Giles Ji Ungpakorn.”
You’re being a bit harsh on some Chula academics.
I well remember a talk at the FCCT about 9 months ago, where
one of Ji’s colleagues DID defend Ji “as a colleague”, despite disagreeing with him.
Obviously there are immense pressures on Chula academics, even in normal times, to tow a certain line or another. Even more so now.
If they did n’t defend Ji further it may well have been because they did n’t agree with his non-mainstream, Trotskyist views.
Those who have signed this petition deserve respect for their courage.
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6 john francis lee // May 26, 2010 at 9:28 am
‘You’re being a bit harsh on some Chula academics.’
I don’t think so. I think they are silent government stooges. Perhaps not as bad as the outright fascist Chulalonkorn ‘doctors’… but close.
Another government stooge at Silpakorn actually disbarred an applicant, a previously accepted applicant, from admission to the ‘university’ on the grounds that… the Yellow/Brown Shirts didn’t like her.
This is more than just cowardice… Assoc Prof Dr. Pinmanee Promsutthirakat at Silpakorn, who caved in to the Yellow fascists, is a craven coward and ought himself to be dismissed for his abject cowardice in the face of the bullying by the ultra-right wing fascist Yellow Shirts and the resulting negative example he has set for the students at Silpakorn.
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7 john francis lee // May 26, 2010 at 9:33 am
Perhaps Professor Doktor Pinmanee is a lady. I assume the worst is perpetrated by men… but of course that’s not always true.
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8 chris beale // May 26, 2010 at 10:22 am
If what you say is true – then there’s not much hope for “Thailand”.
I’ve long argued we’re about to see the break-up of “Thailand”, probably Yugoslavia-style.
Your comments and recent events, sadly, confirm my predictions.
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9 laoguy // May 26, 2010 at 10:27 am
chris beale #5 Pointing out a few good apples in a completely rotten
barrel is not a very convincing argument. Chula as an academic institution has a disgusting reputation and history of falangist oppression. This institution is the antithesis of free and open thought.
Elsewhere on NM you’ll find concise critiques of the stunted nature of the Thai educational system. Systematic bullying is a constant observation in many of these critiques. In a strictly hierarchical culture such as Thailand’s the examples to be followed are set at the top. Fear is the glue that holds Thailand together. Chula has always done it’s best to supply it’s quotient.
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10 Jim Taylor // May 26, 2010 at 11:09 am
The witch hunt is on. Absurd, pathetic: Thaksin again targeted – this time as…as “terrorist”! Doesnt this make the Thai Govt (such as it is) look stupid??
Ji notes that Thai Police issue arrest warrants for 66 Red Shirts, 21 now in custody
(24 May 2010, source: Prachatai & Matichon)…
Remember Suthachai is just one of many held for their oppositional views and public activities:
In Custody
1. Dr Weng Tojirakarn (Charge1)
2. Mr Nattawut Saikua (Charge1)
3. Mr Nisit Sintuprai (Charge1)
4. Mr Wira Musikapong (Charge1)
5. Mr Kokeaw Pikuntong (Charge1)
6. Mr Kwanchai Praipana (Charge1)
7. Mr Wiputalaeng Pattanaputai (Charge1)
8. Ms Wikarnda Pakkasang (Charge 2)
9. Ms Rasamee Malam (Charge 2)
10. Ms Duangmanee Boonrut (Charge 2)
11. Mr Pumikit/Pichate Sukjindatong (Charge 2)
12. Mr Yosawarit Chooklomreu (jeng dokjik) (Charge 3)
13. Ms Siriwan Nimitsilapa (Charge 3)
14. Mr Matee Amornwutikun (Charge 4)
15. Mr Chane Kansunteeya (Charge4)
16. Mr Chayut Laicharoen (Charge 4)
17. Mr Wayupak Noree (Charge 4)
18. Mr Pasakorn/Somnuk Sirirak (Charge 4)
19. Police General Supachai Puikeawkum (Charge 4)
20. Mr Ruang-umnart Putiwong (Charge 4)
21. Mr Meechai Sinark (Charge 4)
Charge 1 = Speaking from the Rajprasong protest site
Charge 2 = Broadcasting from a community radio station
Charge 3 = Protesting at Parliament
Charge 4 = Taking part in the protest at the Democracy Monument
Also in army custody:
1. Mr. Somyot Pruksakasemsuk
2. Assistant Professor Sutachai Yimprasert (History Department, Chulalongkorn University)
Many other people are believed to be in custody, but their names have not been released. what a PATHETIC TRAGIC DRAMA
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11 LesAbbey // May 26, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Jim Taylor – 10
The witch hunt is on. Absurd, pathetic: Thaksin again targeted
Yes, absurd. Everyone knows Thaksin was shopping in Louis Vuitton at Paris CDG at the time the red shirts were being shot.
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12 Stuart Goddard // May 26, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Well, the Abhisit government, in all of its quaint naivete thinks that by uttering the magic spell ‘terrorist’. the rest of the world will panic and extradite Thaksin to Thailand.
It’s sad, but touching in a way really…
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13 Mike // May 26, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Univeristies are big institutions, and like any big institution in Thailand, Chula is split, though not 50/50. To call them government stooges and is ridiculous. The problem now is this elevated level of rhetoric, vitriol, and propaganda. The Thai government has mastered it, but the red supporters are joining in. It makes it harder to find some kind of solution.
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14 Stuart Goddard // May 26, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@Laoguy: (9)
“Fear is the glue that holds Thailand together. ”
Spot on. fear is the essential and principle ingredient in Thai society and in Thai culture.
Shameful though it is, Thai society and culture have been carefully moulded to suit the purposes of just a few at the top. The same few at the top who are now desperately trying to cling on to power.
But the Thai people are waking from their propaganda-unduced dream and are aghast at what they have become.
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15 TW // May 26, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@ laoguy (9): Fear is the glue that holds Thailand together. You are on the mark.
Having listen to interview given by ordinary Thai and TV/Radio personalities over the past few days, this was the impression I got. No one dare to speak out against the govt. or the Establishment.
At present, anyone voicing a sympathetic remark for the Red Shirt is branded as a traitor and un-Thai.
@Jim Taylor (10): The witch hunt is on. The next victim I predict is Khun Apichartpong, the Director of “Uncle Boonmee”. There are now groups asking Thai to boycott his films. I don’t think he care one way or another as his films were always in trouble with the Ministry of Culture.
All the talk now are of reconcilliation. How can be reconcile when one can only hear one side of the story?
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16 Nuomi // May 26, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Re Uncle Boonmee film:
I have been trying to get some critique that will give me some background into this film. Still one thing mystify me: why do some Thais want to boycott this film? Am I dense for not seeing the connection?
Finally, congrates to Khun Apichartpong for winning such a prestigious prize ‘for Thailand’. You did great.
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17 Srithanonchai // May 26, 2010 at 4:25 pm
TV:
“All the talk now are of reconcilliation. How can be reconcile when one can only hear one side of the story?”
This is a misconception of what “reconciliation” means from the government perspective. It simply means that the majority of Thais submit themselves to the government view, backed by the traditional Thai state ideology.
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18 hungry ghost // May 26, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Nuomi: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/a-conversation-with-the-top-prize-winner-of-cannes/
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19 michael // May 26, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Nuomi #16, “why do some Thais want to boycott this film?”
Some Thais want to entirely inhibit discussion & all cultural expression which will move Thai culture into the 21stC. Kh ladda’s Orwellian ‘Cultural Surveillance Department’ is evidence of this.
Kh Apichatpong’s Palme d’Or is highly significant, much more so than if a French or American had won it. A Thai artist (most of the world doesn’t even know that such an animal exists) has been chosen by a panel of international artists to receive the most prestigious award in the art film world. It must not be allowed to go unnoticed. Thailand is urgently in need of an ‘alternative’ arts movement, especially one which can get young people involved in intelligent discussions of culture & society, & I don’t mean merely Re-vs-Yellow issues.
I strongly urge all NM readers to see the film when it is released, & talk about it as publicly as possible. I’m not asking you to say you like it, if you don’t. Just don’t ignore it or dismiss it.
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20 Jim Taylor // May 26, 2010 at 6:14 pm
TE/re-Apichatpong: QUOTE “Thailand is a violent country; it’s (now) controlled by a group of mafia” UNQUOTE
ไทยเป็นประเทศที่เต็มไปด้วยความรุนแรง และถูกปกครองโดยกลุ่มมาเฟีย’-อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล ผู้ชนะรางวัลภาพยนตร์เมืองคานส์
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21 doyle2499 // May 27, 2010 at 12:03 am
@Nuomi:
It could be because the director spoke out against censorship in Thailand the day before winning the award. Or it could be because the film is based in Isaan, and therefore humanises people who the amaart would prefer to continue viewing as uneducated savages.
Also this reviewer points out
“In spite of constantly being tracked and chased by hunters, they grow in number towards the end of the film: they are part rumour, part multitude, utopian possibility. They symbolize – just as the Red Shirt protestors fight to keep aflame – an alternative vision of the present and of the future in that anxious nation. “
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/cannes-film-festival/7750613/Cannes-Film-Festival-2010-Uncle-Boonmee-Who-Can-Recall-His-Past-Lives-review.html
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22 JohnH // May 27, 2010 at 1:42 am
Michael,
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Apichatpong-Weerasethakul/19459319898?ref=ts
In the last few days, Thai TV has aired a few bits on Apichatpong’s win at Cannes, all ending with some disingenious comments about how the long the film is, how it might be too difficult for Thai people to understand, how strange it is…
Ignore this rubbish. Go and see it.
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23 Jim Taylor // May 27, 2010 at 12:50 pm
doyle2499 excellent!
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24 Nuomi // May 27, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Doyle:
Ah! I’ve been trying to see the ‘political connection’ for Uncle Boonmee and just can’t. Now I ‘get’ it – the chases now makes more sense beyond the interesting visuals. Thanks!
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25 john francis lee // Jun 17, 2010 at 1:59 am
Following up on the observations in 6 and 7… apparently Natthakarn Sakoondarachart was run out of Thailand by Assoc Prof Dr. Pinmanee Promsutthirakat at Silpakorn and the Yellow fascists.
I learned that she was awarded a scholarship in another country in this posting linked by PPT : Why I don’t love the King?.
This essay is a calm and seriously reflective piece by a mature Thai woman, a graduate of Silpakorn herself, in 1989 or 1990, I believe, and I recommend it to all.
It did my heart good to read it. I recommend it not as an antidote, but as a palliative to the (in)actions of Silpakorn’s present, pusillanimous “occupants”.
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26 Thomas Hoy // Jun 18, 2010 at 1:02 am
I want to follow up on the comments made in 6, 7 and 25 about the shocking case of the persecution of prospective Silpakorn student Nattakarn Promsutthirakat.
On behalf of myself and some colleagues at Thammasat University, I wrote to Dr Pinmanee and to the Rector of Silpakorn, Professor Uthai Dulyakasem, about the injustice that Khun Nattakarn has suffered. As neither has replied to my letter, I would like to publish it here.
“Dear Professor Pinmanee,
I am writing in connection with the case of Ms Nattakarn Sakoondarachart.
Apparently, you have rejected her application to study in the Faculty of Arts at Silpakorn University on the basis of unproven and irrelevant assertions about her political views and personality. You are quoted in the Manager newspaper on 24 May 2010 as saying that otherwise her application would have been successful.
This is a gross dereliction of your responsibility to Ms Nattakarn as an individual and to the concepts of academic freedom and natural justice.
In the interests of fairness, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision.
Yours sincerely
Thomas Hoy and others”
I urge anyone who feels the same to copy this letter or amend it in ways they think best and send it to Professors Pinmanee and Uthai.
I hope these professors have the intellectual honesty to justify their actions by replying to my letter and any others that this post may encourage.
If not, I hope they have the conscience to feel ashamed.
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27 Steve // Jun 18, 2010 at 2:55 am
I echo jfl’s (c25) recommendation of that essay – which actually contains a great deal more than you might expect from its title.
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28 michael // Jun 18, 2010 at 11:49 pm
JFL #25 – thank you SO MUCH for that url. I agree with Steve #27. Indeed there are several very good essays on this site.
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29 michael // Jun 23, 2010 at 1:35 am
Update: “Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Palme d’Or-winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (ลุงบุญมีระลึก ชาติ, Lung Boonmee Raleuk Chat) will open in Bangkok on Friday, June 25, in a limited, month-long release at SFX the Emporium cinema. It’s passed censors and is rated 15+.
Showtimes will be nightly at 7 with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 as part of Bioscope magazine’s Independent Spirit series.”
Thanks to BKK Pundit & Wise Kwai’s Thai Film Journal.
http://thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com/2010/06/apichatong-rama-uncle-boonmee-comes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+WiseKwaisThaiFilmJournal+(Wise+Kwai's+Thai+Film+Journal)&utm_content=Google+Reader
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