ID :
41615
Tue, 01/20/2009 - 15:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/41615
The shortlink copeid
Thai academic surrenders to police on lese majeste charge
BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) - A political science lecturer at a leading Bangkok university Tuesday reported to Thai police to hear a charge regarding lese majeste allegedly contained in his academic textbook.
Associate Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn who teaches political science at Chulalongkorn University turned himself in at a police station after the police lodged a complaint against him charging that he had committed lese majeste, or discourtesy against the monarch, the royal family, or the institution of the monarchy, in a textbook he wrote entitled 'The Coup for the Rich' connected to the coup of Sept. 19, 2006 that toppled the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In Thailand jail sentences for lese majeste normally ranged from three to 15 years.
Mr. Ji denied the police charge, saying that his book was aimed at expressing political views with "no intention to insult the monarchy."
He said he is now collecting signatures in a bid to propose to Parliament to delete every law which is related to punishment for insulting the monarchy, highly revered by the Thai people, saying he believes the laws to be against the democratic process and the fundamental rights of the people.
Additionally, 128 foreign academics have already signed their names urging that the Thai government not take action against such offenders as they believe the laws to be a "tool for dictators."
A group of anti-government protesters from the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) appeared at the police station and presented Mr. Ji with a bouquet to boost his morale. (TNA)
Associate Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn who teaches political science at Chulalongkorn University turned himself in at a police station after the police lodged a complaint against him charging that he had committed lese majeste, or discourtesy against the monarch, the royal family, or the institution of the monarchy, in a textbook he wrote entitled 'The Coup for the Rich' connected to the coup of Sept. 19, 2006 that toppled the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In Thailand jail sentences for lese majeste normally ranged from three to 15 years.
Mr. Ji denied the police charge, saying that his book was aimed at expressing political views with "no intention to insult the monarchy."
He said he is now collecting signatures in a bid to propose to Parliament to delete every law which is related to punishment for insulting the monarchy, highly revered by the Thai people, saying he believes the laws to be against the democratic process and the fundamental rights of the people.
Additionally, 128 foreign academics have already signed their names urging that the Thai government not take action against such offenders as they believe the laws to be a "tool for dictators."
A group of anti-government protesters from the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) appeared at the police station and presented Mr. Ji with a bouquet to boost his morale. (TNA)
