Thai army SHENANIGANS

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha (AP Photo)

BREAKING: Thai Army begin legal harassment of Thai historian

May 08, 2011
By Andrew Spooner
AsianCorrespondent.com

The latest wave of Thai repression is now continuing apace as it has been announced (see below) that well-known Thai academic, Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, is being formally investigated under Thailand’s draconian “lese majeste” law. What is extraordinary about this investigation is that it was begun by the incredibly politicised Thai Army. Of course, it was only last year (and in 1973, 1976, 1992 and 2004) that the US-trained and equipped Thai Army were shooting unarmed Thai civilians on Bangkok’s streets (it was also only a month ago that the same army were firing cluster munitions into Cambodian villages). That they now feel that academics and historians should be imprisoned for expressing their views is hardly a portent of better things to come.

This “charging”of Somsak also comes during the week that Freedom House marked down Thailand’s press from “partly free” to “not free”, joining the likes of Burma, Syria and China in the global gallery of oppressive regimes. With dissolution of the Thai parliament very likely occurring this week and an election mooted for July 3rd, the beginning of a formal investigation into Somsak couldn’t have happened at better moment if you wanted to send a message that debate can by stymied and crushed. The generals have sent their clearest and starkest message yet – step out of line on the streets and you be shot & step out of line in the universities and you will be imprisoned.

It seems like darker days lay ahead for Thailand.

Dear colleagues and journalist friends, ,

According to the Thanapol Eawsakul, an editor from Fah Diew Gun magazine, Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a prominent historian from Thammasat University, is another victim of lese majeste law. The Thai army has officially filed a complaint against Dr. Somsak and he is due to hear the detail of the charge at Nang Lerg Police Station in Bangkok this coming Wednesday at 10am. [This is not a "charge" from Thailand's state prosecution but directly from the Thai Army that Somsak committed lese majeste. The appearance at the police station is to inform Somsak that the police believe there is enough evidence in the Army's claims for a formal investigation to commence. Official charges may materialise from this.]

This is the most recent case of attack on freedom of expression on Thai scholar and activist. Dr. Somsak was a student leader during the 1976 massacre and was incarcerated as a political prisoner for two years.