Change the law so politicians can’t wield it as a weapon
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Re: “Hundreds jailed for LM in Abhisit’s reign of terror”, Letters, February 14.
Eric Bahrt described as outrageously untrue my opinion that Abhisit Vejjajiva did not drive a wedge between Thai citizens. Bahrt also accused Abhisit of having led a “reign of terror” by throwing hundreds of people in jail for lese majeste.
I will leave that as a matter of opinion. However, I’d like to clarify a few points:
Firstly, I am among those who are calling for changes to the lese majeste law. In my opinion it is a good law, but imperfectly written.
Second, the controversy over this law has intensified in the past few years as the number of violators has risen significantly. The reason for this rise is that hapless people have been provoked and tricked into breaking the law by a group of politicians who are using divide-and-rule tactics for their own gain.
Those facing charges of instigating these people have fled the country to escape arrest and are likely to stay abroad for as long as this law remains in use. These fugitives are pushing for annulment of the lese majeste law – a move that is, I believe, impossible to take.
Why would any good citizen want to annul a law that serves to protect their country’s sovereignty?
Vint Chavala
