Lese majeste law has nothing to do with foreigners
Re: “A law that kills freedom of expression”, Letters, February 26.
I do not understand why Mr Eric Bahrt and some other Westerners are so persistent in telling us to abolish our lese majeste law and showing off how sovereign their countries are.
Kipling’s “East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet” might apply here. Just as Mr Bahrt and other Westerners might not comprehend the semi-divine status of the Japanese emperor, they might also be unable to grasp the revered status of Thailand’s royal family.
It follows that such people will be unable to comprehend the seemingly draconian lese majeste laws or the severe penalties for breaking them. These are Thai laws established by Thai people, just as the United States and other nations create theirs. We do not challenge their justice system, and we do not expect them to interfere in ours.
In Singapore those who smuggle even small quantities of narcotics are handed the death penalty. Others guilty of violent crimes face imprisonment plus a brutal caning, which usually leaves them scarred for life. However “extreme” some foreign observers, diplomats or rights groups judge these punishments to be is beside the point.
In each example, offenders are fully aware of the laws and the consequences of breaking them. They are clearly willing to take the risk and, if found guilty, if I am afraid they only have themselves to blame.
Dusit Thammaraks
