January 19, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand — Harry Nicolaides, a forty one year old Australian author, was arrested last year and was just sentenced three years in jail. The author was sentenced to jail after writing a book called “Versimilitude”. This book had held contents about the Royal Thai family that was considered to be insulting to the Royal family, which broke the Lese Majeste Law. Mr. Nicolaides was originally sentenced six years in jail but the punishment was reduced because of his guilty plea. His lawyer did not seek for a Royal pardon. The Royal Pardon is apologizing to the Royal family, the King usually will forgive the ones who broke this law. Most foreigners were pardoned after asking for the Royal pardon but awkwardly, Mr. Nicolaides’ lawyer did not ask for one. The Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, fully agreed that the foreigner should be arrested and was determined to have these offences to the Royal families are to be eliminated. He said, “There are cases in the past where this law has been abused for political purposes, and I agree this has to stop.” There are not even a bleak signs of showing a change in this law.
After reading this article, I was shocked. I thought that Thailand was a Parliamentary Democracy, where the people speak for their country. However, the Thailand Prime Minister showed no respect for the people’s voices. This will impact negatively on the Thailand citizens’ or any tourists’ freedom of speech right. I trust that with this law never gone, Thailand citizens, foreign reporters or anyone visiting the country could not show their true feelings in speeches, literature or in any kind of printing. This will ultimately stifle the local or foreign writers’ creativity in Thailand. I feel extremely insecure from now on whenever I visit Thailand because if I accidentally uttered any small phrase that is considered “insulting” to the Royal blood, I could be arrested on the spot. I fear that one day, if a number of Canadian or any other foreign reporters from countries with the freedom of speech, went to Thailand. They were able to spot the negative side of the Royal Family. After reporting the truth about the Royal Family, the reporters might be arrested for “insulting” them. I believe the best thing for a country to have is the freedom of speech. With this right ensured, nobody will not have the fear of being arrested after telling the truth or a joke.
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