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© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Thai theater pair convicted for insulting monarchy
By THANYARAT DOKSONE BANGKOK©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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hackney
It's lucky we don't have this law in the UK - half the nation would be behind bars. I would have a life sentence without parole.
The pair don't seem too bothered, judging by their smiles in the photos, but Thai people who support this law should be ashamed.
Serrano
The Thais need to change this draconian law.
@hackney lol.
plasticmonkey
This over-respect for the Thai monarchy is an unfortunate filler for real democracy. Coup after coup, all sanctioned by the king in the name of stability. Something's gotta change. That's nothing personal against the king himself; it's the system that's screwed up.
kurisupisu
Wait until King Bhumbidol passes on Thailand will be in chaos......
Open Minded
21st Century. And still monarchies. I must have missed something.
Jeff Huffman
plasticmonkeyFEB. 23, 2015 - 08:01PM JST This over-respect for the Thai monarchy is an unfortunate filler for real democracy. Coup after coup, all sanctioned by the king in the name of stability. Something's gotta change. That's nothing personal against the king himself; it's the system that's screwed up.
Thai monarch hasn't had any real power in nearly 100 years. Because of this, the over-the-top reverence for someone who has no power or really any dealings with the day-to-day running of the country is just plain stupid. His occupation of the throne, as with all monarchs, is merely a matter of happenstance.
Scrote
The Thais claim their king is revered, but if that were true there would be no need for these draconian laws.
volland
Yes, Jeff, you are of course absolutely right. "This over-respect for the Thai monarchy is an unfortunate filler for real democracy."... that is utter nonsense. The system will remain the same with or without King, without him the political fighting would have lost all limits and the result would have been an even greater disaster. I have lived many years in Thailand and the one problem is the controlled education that prevents any change in political awareness. In the present democracy the Thaksin gang is able to buy votes at 400 Baht a piece...
The question is not if these student are right in their understanding of Thai society, and their response to it, the question is how sensible their action was. Who is helped by them being "martyrs" and sitting in jail? What change will that bring ?
Thailand right now is still in a "good" phase. Once the old king dies and his hated son takes over... good luck, poor Siam.
Frungy
... but what happens if the king really is wearing no clothes?