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[Expattaya]

Anyone who lives in Thailand for any extended time knows that there are things that are viewed as taboo here for public discussion, primarily because of the law called "Lese Majeste."

There is an interesting article in the editorial section of the International Herald Tribune today by Grant Evans, which discusses the history and impact of lese majeste and which calls for its reform in the new Thai constitution.

I did not realilze until I read the article that Lese Majeste was created and enacted as law by a former Thai military dictator, Sarit Thanarat, in 1959. Since then it has taken on a life of its own in the scheme of things.

The major reform suggested by the author, barring its complete repeal, is that only the Thai cabinet be authorized to institute lese majeste charges, as opposed to the present system, where just about anyone can level the charge as a political device and haul you off to court.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/19/opinion/edevans.php

[Haloi]

Thanks for that article. I agree with the author that these kind of laws have no place in a country that calls itself a constitutional monarcy. the King himself looked like he feels that way in that speech last year.