BANGKOK – Forensic expert Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand M.D. was arrested today in a sweeping police action designed to put an end to malicious rumors about His Majesty the King’s health, which were blamed for a sell-off in the SET last month.
According to police, Dr. Pornthip stated in a 2004 interview for Channel News Asia that “everyone must die sometime.” The statement was made in response to a question about how she felt about the importance of her job as a forensic investigator.
However, police believe that, if applied to sensitive topics, the statement might cause panic and disorder among the Thai public, which could threaten national security.
“To simply state that everyone must die is a malicious and unpatriotic attack on sacred institutions,” said a police spokesperson. “As Thais we must watch our words, and Dr. Pornthip did not do so.”
After her arrest, Dr. Pornthip made a brief statement in which she pledged her loyalty to His Majesty the King but stood by her statement.
“It’s a biological fact, a matter of science,” she insisted. “People die.”
She was immediately charged on a second count of violating Article 14 of the computer law by circulating false information on His Majesty.
