BANGKOK – In a sweeping new reform that is expected to change forever the status of the Thai monarchy, the government has announced an amendment to the Constitution that further widens the scope of the Kingdom’s long-standing lese-majeste laws prohibiting criticism of the royal family.
Under Amendment 10-9982, the list of actions qualifying as lese-majeste now include the accusation of lese-majeste.
“It makes perfect logical sense – anyone can see that,” said a visibly pleased Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. “The King is utterly above reproach, so anyone who suggests that mere words can defame him has caused serious defamation and must be punished.”
The amendment was passed by a unanimous vote of 500 – 0 with no abstentions, and will be presented to the Palace for royal approval before ratification.
Spokespersons for all major political parties were also unanimous in their praise of the new statute.
“We feel that this will create a level playing field,” explained Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. “Hopefully this will cause a reduction in lese majeste charges being leveled, as it will lead to the arrest of the accuser as well. This will assure no criticism against our revered King. I think.”
Academics were more measured in their evaluation. Thammasat professor Dr. Puey Ungpakorn attacked it for what he called “glaring logical flaws,” saying in part that “the law makes no sense. If we start with the presumption that the King is un-defamable, then the resulting arrest of the accuser and speaker for defamation is contradictory. You can’t have it both ways. And what of the police who arrest them? Are they not now also guilty? Where does it end? ”
His comments were immediately dismissed by the Prime Minister, who insisted that the logic was flawless, if you had the experience and stature to understand them as he himself did.
Social activist Sulak Sivaraska, who was charged with several counts of lese-majeste in the 1980s, was more equanimous in his assessment: “It’s so stupid that it makes sense. Finally, Thailand’s lese-majeste laws have come full circle, a tautology annihilating itself. I approve wholeheartedly.”
The law, which states that accusing others of lese-majeste is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, goes into effect immediately.
Yet the final word on the subject properly belongs to the man at the center of the issue, His Majesty himself. Since the palace PR office declined repeated NTN requests for comment or interview, the people of Thailand are left to ponder the words of His Majesty on the subject, which have been few.
His only recorded statement has been an inscrutable riddle during his birthday speech of 2005, when he said: “The King can be criticized.”
A panel of senators and ex-generals is currently studying the precise meaning of this densely layered, and infinitely wise law. The initial findings are set to be released in early 2011.
