Somsak Jeamteerasakul was warmly cheered up by a hundred or so supporters during his appearance yesterday at the Nang Lerng Police Station to hear a lese majeste charge regarding his response to Princess Chulabhorn’s recent interview.
Intellectuals and anti-article 112 activists as well as Red-Shirt members staged a short drama mocking the military’s huge sweep of the Abhisit administration’s budget and the government’s alleged palm oil price hike corruption. The supporters held placards “Free Thailand from Lese Majeste” and “Somsak, Do Keep Fighting” while waiting for more than an hour in the Nang Lerng police station compound.
Mr Somsak told reporters after acknowledging the charge that he would return to the Police Station again in two weeks with a formal defence document. He said he was confident that the obsolete article was not relevant to bring him down as the referred party, Princess Chulabhorn, was not under the realm of the lese majeste law. The historian also urged the public to pay attention to those being prosecuted with the charge to ensure their basic rights in the initial judicial proceedings, including bail.
Prajin Tanangkorn, an advocate for debtors, said his group turned up to “show support to a brave intellectual who did not fear to speak the truth.” Prajin’s younger brother, aka Suchart Nakbangsai, has also been imprisoned on lese majeste charges as a result of his internet messages. “Thailand is a democratic country, and we should be able to speak out, shouldn’t we?” said the 57-year-old Prajin.
A member of Santi Asoke’s Nakhon Pathom community Sumalee Sae Tiew, 80, also showed up to give a red rose to Somsak, who teaches history at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts.
“Thai society should move forward, if there’s no reform or some institutional adjustments, we will be in a disaster,” said Ms Sumalee, who lives in the nearby Bangkhunprom area.
She said she did not like double standards and that was why she, as an “Asoke Commune” member, had joined the “Saturday Group against the Coup”.
A well-known October-generation artist “Jin Kanmachon” (Proletariat) called for middle-class intellectual peers to realize the nature of democratic globalization.
Jin, whose real name is Kulasak Ruangkongkiat, led other supporters in singing “songs for life” in solidarity with Somsak.
“It’s quite disheartening that artists, media, and academics have turned ignorant about the people’s voice. Worse, they are siding with the conservatives who disguise themselves in the name of reform and reconciliation just for the purpose of taming the people so they will not think differently but docilely,” said Jin, 56, now a pharmacist.
Chanin Klayklung, 35, an engineer from the Air Force’s Directorate of Aero Nautical Engineering who has been prosecuted on lese majeste charge, also showed up to lend his support to Somsak. Mr Chanin, who has been charged by the military court since November for posting libellous songs and video deemed undermining of the monarchy, was given a military service suspension on 12 April. He will be defending himself in the military court on 12 July.
“I did not criticize my boss, which is certainly a disciplinary offence. But what I’ve done is exercising my freedom of speech by criticizing the government,” said Chanin. The lese majeste charge against him was brought by his supreme boss, the Air Force Chief.
Throughout the past few weeks nearly a hundred scholars residing in Australia, the US, the UK, Hong Kong, Denmark, Singapore, South Korea and Canada signed and released an open letter calling for an end to the constriction of freedom of expression in Thailand. Kevin Hewison, Director of the Carolina Asia Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said the accusation against Somsak challenged the Prime Minister who has said that academic criticism would be tolerated. “How can he justify action against this well-known academic?” said Professor Hewison in the statement.
“Why is the Army filing charges against a historian?,” asked Craig Reynolds of the Australian National University. “While this is not the first time that the Army has filed charges against a civilian, every instance should be carefully scrutinized,” said Professor Reynolds.
The academics were not only concerned about Somsak but with several other instances of constriction of freedom of expression, including the widespread, coordinated raiding of community radio stations and the arrest of Somyos Prueksakasemsuk on charges of violating Article 112. The current political climate including both legal cases and extralegal intimidation has the effect of constricting speech and silencing dissent in Thailand, said Tyrell Haberkorn of the Australian National University. This will have an increasingly negative effect on the possibilities for human rights and democracy in Thailand, Dr Haberkorn said.
22 responses so far ↓
1 sam deedes // May 12, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Very interesting to hear a dissenting voice from Santi Asoke.
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2 Nick Nostitz // May 12, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Excellent article!
One addition – Prajin Tanangkorn, the elder brother of Suchart Nakbangsai, also has a lese majeste case against him, coming from a post made on the Prachatai webboard not long after the 2006 coup. The case is still under police investigation.
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3 Jack Walls // May 12, 2011 at 8:56 pm
The bell of freedom rings louder and louder, from a small room, the sound of freedom travels next door and go further and further, getting louder and louder. “FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR THEE.”
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4 Nattavud Pimpa // May 13, 2011 at 3:46 pm
I do feel sorry for him and hope he will not be misjudged.
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5 Tarrin // May 13, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Nattavud Pimpa – 4
I do feel sorry for him and hope he will not be misjudged.
It is absurd enough that he has to be judge at all.
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6 billyd // May 13, 2011 at 11:45 pm
nattavud,
I’m curious as to what it is you feel sorry for Somsak about? Because he is facing charges or because he is being dragged into the squalor of Thai royal politics? Do I take it from your ‘sorrow’ that you recognise that Somsak did nothing wrong?
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7 nattavud pimpa // May 14, 2011 at 8:47 am
billyd,
What it is I feel sorry for Somsak about? A number of issues and I think it is pretty much similar to those who went to support him at นางเลิ้ง
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8 Anonymousth // May 14, 2011 at 11:44 pm
I think we need empirical evidence to feel one way or another about Somsak. I also think we need even more empirical evidence to understand about what feelings do people who went to support Somsak have.
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9 Enrico Damanche // May 15, 2011 at 4:42 am
Nattavud Pimpa – 4
“I do feel sorry for him and hope he will not be misjudged.”
Signore, permit me to proffer a kind and gentle reality check.
Khun Somsak will be misjudged (and rightly so) by the venerable justice system of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Royal Thai Police will collect all the hearsay and misinterpreted “evidence” necessary to convict and present it to a panel of judges for the proper sentencing. Legal procedures, mind you, will be adhered to for Thailand is a civilized nation.
Nonetheless, we are not interested in what is perceived to be fair and just; we only care about maintaining the status quo. This is how rule as law works in this unconsolidated oligarchic (or, perhaps more precisely, praetorian) democracy. Plus, it is a centuries-old Thai tradition to make monarchic conservatism a popular virtue. Anyone challenging the Higher Institution will be crucified in the arena of public opinion and their reputations torn asunder. A lengthy prison sentence is thrown in for good measure in order to teach all Thai subjects the price of dissent and the merits of obedience and conformity. Remember that we are dealing with the central pillar of our collective identity. The monarchy must be upheld, respected, and protected at all costs. As such, no quarter should be demonstrated to those who transgress this written commandment of Thainess – Article 112. Equally important, we (conservative elites) are playing to win, not to lose.
Indeed, I pity the man for he is a fool. Did Khun Somsak really believe that he could alter the contemporary socio-political landscape of Thailand? Reform? It is code for republican revolution and therefore to be resisted. Also, how many people in this country will flock to his defense and remain with him in the darkest of hours? With the exception of his immediate family, nobody. For the omnipresent arm of the Thai State will clench its fist and send Khun Somsak’s sunshine supporters scurrying for cover under the nearest sewer hole. As my father-in-law keeps reminding me, “Change is not for this country, it never has been and it never will be.”
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10 stuart // May 15, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Enrico
“Change is not for this country, it never has been and it never will be.”
Lots of people have said that before with equal conviction: the Afrikaners of South Africa, the Soviets, the proponents of the 1000-year Reich, the Romans, the IRA, the Spartans, Liverpoool F.C, and most Americans in 2011. The list of “fallable infallables” goes on…
It’s always hard to imagine how the sacrifices of individuals can possibly make a difference. And, indeed, as individuals they often don’t. But collectively they can… and sometimes do.
Hopefully, the Thais will learn from their own Buddhist philosophy: Change is the only constant in life.
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11 Sun Bear // May 15, 2011 at 1:28 pm
‘Change is the only constant in life’.
Thai history illustrates that perfectly.
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12 Andrew Walker // May 15, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Video of Somsak at Nang Lerng (mix of English and Thai) is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fjo0FrxLro
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13 nattavud pimpa // May 16, 2011 at 12:32 am
Stuart et al,
Agree that change is the only constant in life. However, the process of change can be painful and we, human being, need directions when it comes to change.
Your statement that hope the Thais will learn from their Buddhist philosophy does not add to any direction. I would hope for clear leadership and directions when it comes to all forms of societal changes.
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14 SteveCM // May 16, 2011 at 12:37 am
Stuart (c9) – and possibly others – you might not be aware that “Enrico Damanche” writes posts here that are very much tongue firmly in cheek.
They’re intended as a satirical take on particular points of view. As with all good satire, they can be unnervingly close to the real thing. I often read posts here that – after some reflection – I conclude are the real thing….. but, believe me, it’s sometimes very difficult to be sure.
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15 stuart // May 16, 2011 at 10:49 am
nattavud pimpa
I’m not a leader in Thailand, so it’s not up to me to lead or provide the direction you crave. My comment was just that – a comment. Such is free speech. It was framed in response to Enrico’s comment, and deliberately limited to that reference. But if my comment happens to inspire change in some small way in some remote corner of the universe, then so be it. As I said in my response to Enrico, it’s amazing what the collective opinions of individuals can sometimes achieve. But I have no aspirations to direct that collective. My own involvement in Thai affairs is limited as an interested observer, with some personal stake in the outcome. I have no aspirations to activism.
I see no leaders in Thailand who are capable of providing the direction you desire. They are corrupt, self-serving and often, to my mind, stupid – nothing more than dumb brutes enslaved to their own base desires. I am appalled by them and those who serve them. No doubt some great leaders will emerge, as they often do in desperate situations. Unfortunately, Thailand makes a bad habit of locking them up or exporting the best ones.
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16 John // May 16, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Stuart.
Your second paragraph says it all.
Thailand has no true leaders as the continual cycle of ‘clique like behavior’ has become an accepted part of Thai social practice.
I also am “appalled by them” and have seen their direct affects on those close to me. They truly have no shame as they assume an illegitimate superiority due basically to the enormity of their ill gotten WEALTH. They are traitors and crooks who hide in shadow of the institution. They know they are untouchable as long as they toe the military’s line.
If they really cared for Thailand’s future generations as they continually claim they would bow their heads in SHAME and truly start a process of open dialogue and reform.
Will this happen, God only knows!
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17 Nuomi // May 16, 2011 at 2:54 pm
I understand perfectly the bitterness imbued in Enrico’s comment #9, and as another pointed out it is satire, and dark satire that is uncomfortably close to the truth. Perhaps not as uncomfortable or as dark as Swift’s A Modest Proposal, but close. Very very close.
I cannot and will never forget a life that’s lost possibly due to totally blocked traffic as a result of motorcade. I cannot forget nor forgive a young girl’s life forever scarred to serve the temporal lust of a ranking elite (in this case a high ranking government official).
I remember sneaking to the protest against Suchinda, because the night before my mother explicitly forbid me to go: you don’t understand, she said. Life in Thailand is cheap, free even. You’ll die for nothing, because nothing will change.
Today in May 2011, I looked back and agree, that my mom is not only right, she was also generous in her bitter statement. Black May may had gain us a tiny step forward – a puppet civilian PM, but notheless a civilian PM. Today, we had an egalitarian PM beholden to military and groveling to aristocrats self-rated above him. We’ve gone backwards a hundred years – well at least back till 1930s.
Education, my mom said. The only way things will change is to have a properly educated mass.
I looked at our current PM and wonder about Eton. I looked at the highly educated from Ivy leagues universities in US and UK and wonder about what they taught there? Why had these Masters and Doctors and PHDs return to Thailand with the Attitude that the poor cannot be trusted to make their own choice, do not deserve access to proper education and healthcare? Do not deserve to vote? Do not deserve to get higher prices for their hard toil in the sun – rice – while the middlemen with their Masters from the US and a ‘respectable’ family name sit in chauffeured limos telling the poor farmers ‘you cannot have more than B3000 for your rice’? Rice that the poor farmers spent a year cultivating with blood and toll? I don’t want guess what profit margins those middlemen are raking to afford a chauffeurred limo and sending at least one of their kids to study in the UK or US.
So yeah, I do understand the ‘hopelessness’ in that comment. That feeling that things are bad but not bad enough yet to fuel real change. That feeling that this in-between state is going to last a long long time. This unchanging nature of change in the Thai political landscape as the elite continue to propagandize their twisted message of ‘Thainess’ to mean “be happy with your lot in life and ignore life outside because outsiders do not understand ‘Thainess’.
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18 Thai student // May 16, 2011 at 4:31 pm
To Khun Stuart,
I think I understand Nattavud’s point. He is not asking you to lead but he proposed that your statement is empty and meaning less in for change in Thailand.
And yes there are leaders in Thailand! Again, like all countries in the world we have both good and bad leaders and Thailand has long sufferred bad leadership.
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19 John // May 16, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Nuomi.
A vast majority of Thailand’s elite who have western masters and doctorate degrees gained them for there “face gaining’ attributes alone.
Their children are also sent abroad to study but on return face the futility of not being able to apply anything ‘progressive’ from their international degree. Many do not care as they follow their parents methodology of business.
The ability for people to learn and achieve can not be measured by their bloodline or class.
Given the opportunity any person across Thailand could achieve a Masters or PHD.
This is where the country fails its youth as by stereotyping the rural poor as ignorant and uneducated they fail to understand that all humans no matter their background given the right learning environment can achieve almost anything.
Unfortunately in Thailand the elite have deliberately centralized their wealth so as to restrict the gaining of knowledge. Knowledge is truly power.
Thai elites need a huge cheap unskilled workforce to maximize their profits in the monopolized businesses they control.
That Thailand is named the’ land of the free’ contradicts itself to the reality that one may certainly ask FREE FOR WHO??
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20 Tarrin // May 16, 2011 at 6:23 pm
nattavud pimpa – 13
I would hope for clear leadership and directions when it comes to all forms of societal changes.
As it stand now, it is very clear that the Thais leader echelon doesn’t want to change the status quo, your hope will have to come at a cost which is unfortunate for the Thais as a whole. I do agree though that we still need what is called “spiritual leader” to lead the change. However, since the elites have been on their toe to get rid of such individual, it will takes quite a time to find and retain one.
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21 Somsak Jeamteerasakul // Jun 7, 2011 at 12:34 am
UPDATE:
In gratitude for the support and interest of my case by the NM community, I’d like to update on my case.
Today, I and my lawyer went to the same police station to hand over my written testimony. The last time I went (as report above), they handed me a 3-page memo, detailing the charge. My written testimony, 8-page long, with some accompanying documents, is in reply to their memo. (An initial date for submitting my testimony was set for 26 May, but I asked for postponement till today because of my job commitment – the new semester is opening in a few days.) Today there were only two of us and the police officer who oversees my case. (When I received the summoning paper in early May, I at first was at a lost why this particular police station is handling my case, but later realized that it’s because the Army Headquarters are in the areas covered by this police precinct. In fact the Army HQ buildings are just on the opposite side of the main road in front of the police station.)
According to the law, the police overseeing the case would investigate and decide whether to recommend the case for prosecution. They may interview some more witnesses. If they decide it should be prosecuted, they would hand over the case to the Office of the Prosecutor General. Chief of the police station told us last time that in LM cases, the final decision whether to recommend prosecution rests with a special committee of 9 members set up by the Office of the Royal Thai Police and chaired by the National Police Chief himself. (He is the one who has to sign on the recommendation.)
I understand that this stage of police investigation could take up to several months.
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22 Nicholas Farrelly // Jun 7, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Ajarn Somsak,
We all greatly appreciate the update. New Mandala readers following Somsak’s case will want to know that it has recently been covered by a long article in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
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