A welcome debate on lese majeste law

Such learned discussions are fine illustrations of three of former prime minister Anand Panyarachun’s Seven Pillars of Sustainable Democracy – political tolerance, freedom of expression, and civil society – and are in the spirit of Bertrand Russell, who noted: “In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.”

I suggest that His Majesty’s opinion is especially relevant in lese majeste matters. As Grossman and Faulder put it: “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: The King, he said, is a human being and as such should be subject to criticism. Charges against those accused of lese majeste should be dropped, and those held in jail for lese majeste should be released. “The use of the lese-majeste law ultimately damages the monarchy.” (King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life’s Work, page 313).

We praise the wisdom of our monarch the length and breadth of our beautiful land, yet the government and opposition have been staunchly united in doing the exact opposite of what His Majesty advises. I suggest that the discussions on the lese majeste law vigorously continue in the spirit of those at Mahidol University, with all participants not seeking to score points for partisan political agendas but being united in calmly reasoning how our lese majeste laws, and their implementation, can best serve and protect our beloved monarchy.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok