Lese Majeste case comes to Bangkok
The lese-majeste trial of Voice of Taksin magazine editor and key red-shirt member Somyos Prueksakasemsuk began in Bangkok yesterday, following months of the proceedings being held in different provinces.
Defence lawyers tried to explain to the judges that the two articles, written by an anonymous person under the pen name of Jit Polachan – which led to the filing of charges against Somyos – were not directly defamatory of HM the King. Any such conclusion, they said, could only be made through interpretation of the text, and this varied.
Prosecution witness Col Vijarn Jodtaeng, director of the legal division of the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc), testified that there was no direct mention of the King, although after reading the articles one could come to a conclusion.
Defence lawyer Karom Polpornklang insisted, however, that this was just an “interpretation” and others might interpret it differently. The articles, penned in February and March 2010 just before the deadly clashes with the red shirts, refer to a mastermind with the name “Luang Naruebarn” who wanted to launch a bloody crackdown on protesters.
At one point, Vijarn was asked by Karom if he was aware that HM the King had once stated that the King was not above criticism. The colonel refused to answer but added that the law would take care of it.
Two other prosecutors’ witnesses yesterday gave similar testimonies – that they could come to the same conclusion after reading the texts.
