Thread: Lèse majesté

Therefore Chotisak's and many other people's decisions not to stand in the cinema are perfectly natural and legitimate. But if the Thai elite need to use a law to enforce respect that means that they are afraid that Thais can actually think for themselves! Lèse majesté is an obstacle to reasoned free-thinking among Thais. It is high time it was abolished.


Giles Ji Ungpakorn is a member of the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok

Asia Sentinel - Time to abolish Thailand’s lèse majesté law

Originally Posted by hillbilly

It is high time it was abolished. Giles Ji Ungpakorn is a member of the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok

He might say that but I could not possibly comment.

a wonderful sentiment. no way it changes though given the the high miles of the current ...

It is used and abused, unfortunately.

However, I suspect that calling for lese majeste to be abolished might well be considered lese majeste itself....

well it would solve our current graffiti problem, pack them all off to thailand for 2 weeks holiday with complimentary paint bombs... who can resist a huge clean billboard.

I remember once kicking the back of the King's Head. The landlord threw me out and wouldn't let me back in the cnut.

^I've been drunk in The King"s Head many a time. A good local

Originally Posted by kingwilly

It is used and abused, unfortunately.

However, I suspect that calling for lese majeste to be abolished might well be considered lese majeste itself....

That's exactly what they use to keep it in place despite the king already said he would prefer that law to be abolished.

Does anyone have a translation of what Jakrabob is supposed to have said?

Originally Posted by Nation

Opposition MPs and other critics have put pressure on Jakrapob, a close ally of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, over his speech given to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand last year.

Part of that speech, given in the wake of a national referendum endorsing the post-coup 2007 charter, was alleged to be lese majeste.
Jakrapob said yesterday that he would make a Thai translation of the English speech given at the FCCT available to the public by Thursday. He hoped the translation would clarify things and prove his innocence.

Originally Posted by Dougal

Does anyone have a translation of what Jakrabob is supposed to have said?

Originally Posted by Nation

Opposition MPs and other critics have put pressure on Jakrapob, a close ally of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, over his speech given to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand last year.

Part of that speech, given in the wake of a national referendum endorsing the post-coup 2007 charter, was alleged to be lese majeste.
Jakrapob said yesterday that he would make a Thai translation of the English speech given at the FCCT available to the public by Thursday. He hoped the translation would clarify things and prove his innocence.

Bangkok Pundit: Jakrapob at the FCCT

Transcript is a little down the page, in the comments section.

Punishments for not standing during the royal anthem

Prachatai
25 April 2008
News

Those who refuse to stand when the royal anthem is played can be held liable under Articles 6 and 15 of the National Culture Act B.E. 2485 (1942), which refers to Article 6 (3) of the Royal Decree on National Culture B.E. 2485 (1942).

According to Asst Prof Prasit Pivavatnapanich, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, unless nullified by more recent laws, the older laws are still applicable. Nevertheless, attempts should be made to study if there are newer laws that nullify or impose changes on the existing laws.
The laws and penalties related to paying respect to the Royal Anthem can be listed as follows;
The National Culture Act B.E. 2485 (1942)

Article 6: The culture that individuals must practice, apart from that specified in this Act, is specified by the Royal Decree in the following cases;

1. Orderliness of dress, ethics, and etiquette when individuals are in public places or exposed to the general public

2. Orderliness in conducting oneself and in one’s conduct in one’s residence

3. Orderliness of one’s behaviour that has a bearing on the Thai nation and Buddhism

4. Capability and etiquette with respect to how one earns living

Article 15*: Those who violate Article 6 of the Royal Decree may face a fine of no more than 100 baht or a term of imprisonment of no more than one month, or both.

*[Article 15 was amended by virtue of the Act (version 2) B.E. 2486 (1943)]

Royal Decree on National Culture B.E. 2485 (1942)

Article 6: All individuals must show respect according to uniform rules and customs comprising:

(1) Collectively to pay respect to the national anthem at 08.00 am every day

(2) To pay respect to the national flag, the army flag, the naval flag, the Military Youth Division flag, or the Boy Scout flag, when it is raised or lowered on the site of a government office, when it is raised by a government office, or when it is raised in front of a formation or unit of the military, military youth or boy scouts.

(3) To pay respect to the national anthem, the royal anthem, and other anthems played at an official service, social ceremony or entertainment venue.

The laws were enacted during the nationalist regime of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Apart from these, there are many laws giving guidance to people’s behaviour with the aim to preserve the nation’s noble culture including;

Announcement of the National Culture Council on the culture of married couples

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations on how to pay respect among the Thais

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations concerning the use of names

Announcement of the National Culture Council on dress and etiquette related to one’s career

Announcement of the National Culture Council on the dress of individuals in certain professions

Announcement of the National Culture Council on regulations concerning the consumption of food

Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on Thai wedding ceremonies

Announcement of the National Culture Council on Thai wedding ceremonies

Announcement of the National Culture Council on travelling by bus

Announcement of the National Culture Council on funeral services

Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the conduct of married couples
12th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the protection of children, older persons or the disabled

11th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on daily activities of the Thai

10th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on Thai dress

9th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Thai language and books and the duties of a good citizen

8th Nationalist Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Royal Anthem

Royal Decrees

The B.E. 2495 (1952) Royal Decree on the Establishment of the National Culture Council

The B.E. 2489 (1946) Royal Decree on the Revocation of the B.E. 2485 (1944) Royal Decree on Theatrical Performances

The B.E. 2487 (1944) Royal Decree on National Culture (ter)

The B.E. 2486 (1943) Royal Decree on National Culture (bis)

The B.E. 2485 (1942) Royal Decree on National Culture


Translated by Pipob Udomittipong

Source: เปิดกฎหมายความผิดฐานไม่ยืนเคารพเพลงสรรเสริญพระบารม ี ปรับ 100 บาท หรือจำคุก 1 เดือนหรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ


So thats thats!

I would be interested to know what's the regulations concerning the consumption of food.

Do any of these rules say anything about picking ones nose in public?

What's the policy about travelling on a bus?