Japanese man jailed for attacking Thai dissident

What does the Thai monarchy fear from being debated?

Its own existence in the 21st century?

The Thai people are lead to believe that the monarchy is there to help them yet the massive inequalities and wealth that are perpetuated by the current system is an obvious focus of possible criticism.

The fact that Thai authorities punish any debate just leads to more unease!

Sad, freedom of expression which some of us take for granted is so precious that many have paid the ultimate price for it.

Thailand is and has been a relatively peaceful nation and I hope that it will find peace again with it's people.

Dictatorship is a recipe for violence and failure.

Mark,what world you live in,it not been Peaceful to dissident of the people of Thailand

Thailand is and has been a relatively peaceful nation and I hope that it will find peace again with it's people.

Dictatorship is a recipe for violence and failure.

They've been through something like 17 military coups in the past 100 years. It's not that peaceful.

Only 20 years. Should have been at the very least 53 years.

I'm no fan of the King, but you can bet American money is funding all this dissent, just to bring instability.

I'm no fan of the King, but you can bet American money is funding all this dissent, just to bring instability.

Why would they need to? Thailand has been doing it already on their own for 100 years.

Professor Chachavalpongpun is a Pro Democracy Advocate.

Not a dissident.

@Michael Machida. 20 MONTHS, not years

Yet another Yakuza interlope getting a mild sentence, no questions asked, free to return after the 20 or less months back to business as usual.

The assailants mates have probably reached an out of court compensation arrangement with the victim in exchange for leniency. Probably half the amount as to what a Japanese victim would demand.

Yet another Yakuza interlope getting a mild sentence, no questions asked, free to retuofrn after the 20 or less months back to business as usual.

I always wonder why these foreigners spread these lies to the public? Do they just want to disgrace Japan or just believe what they want to believe without plausible reasons like a toddler? These foreigners always create these fake stories to satisfy their frustration against Japan. As a matter of fact many of yakuza members were sentenced to death and life imprisonment. Is it a mild sentence? and they are denied the freedom we are guaranteed. I'm tired of these mr, ms know-it all without knowing anything about Japan.

Thais loved their recently deceased monarch. Has the current monarch soiled his reputation? Does he have much more to fear from criticism because he has not earned the respect and devotion of the Thai people?