If you want to read a long but very interesting Thai perspective on the current political situation in Thailand and how it has affected some peoples' attitudes toward the monarchy, one that you will never see printed in the Thai newspapers, take a look at the commentary by Junya Yimprasert, an Issan native, who is director of the Thai Labour Campaign and leader of the Migrant Workers' Union of Thailand.
https://facthai.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/wh...nya-yimprasert/
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An Issan perspective on loving institutions
Started by Garcia, Jun 19 2010 11:46 AM
2 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 20 June 2010 - 09:31 AM
I wonder how prevalent the mixed emotions and sadness expressed in that article about the monarchy are among the people in the North and Issan. I suspect there are many who may quietly share some of his views but who would never publicly comment on the topic out of fear or intimidation. The irony of the situation is that the more the government talks about the need to protect the institution, the more they plant the seeds of doubt about its popularity. You can't make it a crime not to love someone and still claim everyone loves him anyway.
#3
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Posted 21 June 2010 - 11:04 AM
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You can't make it a crime not to love someone and still claim everyone loves him anyway.
In some ways, I think that lese majeste in Thailand is no different than laws in many Islamic countries today that make it a crime to blaspheme God. It's a mix of state and religion that most western countries got rid of centuries ago. Thailand seems to want to have it both ways: to call itself a modern democracy but to cling to old undemocratic ways.
