The King’s words on use of the lese majeste law
Many countries have questioned the junta’s increased usage of our lese majeste law to restrict freedom of expression. I note that they are in excellent company, for:
“Thailand’s law of lese-majeste has one very prominent critic: King Bhumibol…In 2005, after an increase in politically-inspired lese-majeste complaints, King Bhumibol used his annual televised birthday address to convey three concerns:
(a) The king…is a human being and as such should be subject to criticism;
(b) Charges against those accused of lese-majeste should be dropped and those held in jail for lese-majeste should be released;
(c) The use of the lese-majeste law ultimately damages the monarchy.” (Grossman and Faulder, “King Bhumibol: A Life’s Work”; approved by the palace).
His Majesty is far more expert on the Thai monarchy than any of us, and is so sage that we lovingly call him our father. I suggest that we heed our royal father on the lese-majeste law, and be most sparing and merciful in using it, for “the use of the lese-majeste law ultimately damages the monarchy”.
Burin Kantabutra
