I think it's about time Thailand got rid of this law:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6440645.stm


Nick

You will find it almost impossible to find a Thai who agrees with you, although that may change when HM dies and his son takes over.

Their country, their rules. If you don't like them, don't go.

quote:

Jufer, who has lived in Thailand for more than 10 years, was recorded on surveillance cameras defacing the portraits.

57 years old too. Should have known better! Still, poor guy.

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
You will find it almost impossible to find a Thai who agrees with you, although that may change when HM dies and his son takes over.

Their country, their rules. If you don't like them, don't go.

Who makes the rules? Certainly not the people from what I can see!

If you actually read the post:

quote:

The king himself appeared to question this in a recent speech when he said it was wrong to put him above criticism.

"I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know," he said. "If you say the king cannot be criticised, it means that the king is not human."

quote:

I agree Thai people "love" their King...But no-one's perfect

Nick

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:

Their country, their rules. If you don't like them, don't go.

Mmmm...Great logic...Just because the law exists doesn't make it "right"...Or is the concept of "free-speech" alien to you?


Nick

With the minimum sentence being a Jail sentence.....
I wonder if the King will grant him a pardon, As he has already stated that he is not in favour of this particular law.

Plus of course it is now on Sky news and probably other news channels around the world.

I actually think this idiot deserves what he gets and i regard myself as a liberal guardian reader. If he does not like the culture in los he should leave. I was in bkk last december on the kings birthday amongst the sea of yellow. Our reverence for our head of state may have diminished but that does not mean others should do the same. Its worth bearing in mind that the king has done a great deal to preserve the status quo through many periods of political turbulence and is greatly respected for his services.
My Thai other half thought it was wonderful to be in the Mall last summer during the trooping of the colour.
Sorry but criticism is one thing, but criminal damage along with insulting someones nationhood is different.
I hope they make an example of him.

quote:

Originally posted by the gardener:
i regard myself as a liberal guardian reader.

I hope they make an example of him.

Nick

Agreed it may appear to be a contradiction, its about respect in a diverse world, the king is very popular he is not some dictator that has outstayed his welcome, I,m always reminded that when thai s pray, pictures of royalty are always present. As an outsider 7 1/2 years minimum does seem a bit steep, but then again its not my country.

Just to clarify:

I think the King has done a good job. He's the glue that binds the country together. God knows what will happen when he dies

However, if Thailand is to become a true democracy, laws such as this will have to go.


Nick

I hope he's made an example of to be honest. I have no time for anyone that breaks the law when visiting another country.

I also don't swallow the free speech and democracy rubbish, it's not one size fits all.

quote:

However, if Thailand is to become a true democracy, laws such as this will have to go.

And what is a true democracy? The UK?

No Thai will agree as they would also be subject to the same law In this case being drunk and stupid hardly warrants 7 years plus in the pokey, but when you live somewhere then you have to live within the law or accept the consequences.

I now have cut all ties with Switzerland in protest at his terrible behaviour Vive la France

ash

quote:

Originally posted by ash:
In this case being drunk and stupid hardly warrants 7 years plus in the pokey, but when you live somewhere then you have to live within the law or accept the consequences.

Very true.

Have you got a beret and a bicycle yet?

quote:

Have you got a beret and a bicycle yet? Thumbs Up

Nah , but I bought a brand new Citroen and loads of onions already
ash

quote:

Originally posted by prioritypress:
Mmmm...Great logic...Just because the law exists doesn't make it "right"...

Did I say it did?

quote:

Or is the concept of "free-speech" alien to you?

No, the concept of free speech is not alien to me, neither is the concept of "When in Rome......"

BTW, why the ? If this conversation is boring you, why start it?

quote:

Their country, their rules. If you don't like them, don't go.

Only this part of it..



Nick

Ah, I see!

You only want posts from those who agree with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
Ah, I see!

You only want posts from those who agree with you.

Not at all...variety is the spice of life

I just think it's a ridiculous thing to say...

There's plenty of things I don't like about Thailand, but there's also plenty of things I do like


Nick

Let's be honest, I don't think there's any reason to feel sympathetic for this guy. How many people would JUST SO HAPPEN to have a big fat marker pen in thier pocket during a night on the beer? It just seems a pre-meditated move to provoke trouble if you ask me, and the guy is quite simply a first class idiot.

After all, would anyone in their right mind shout abuse to New Yorkers at the site of Ground Zero? Would any sensible human shout 'bomb!' on the London Underground. No.

I find it rather wonderful that the King Bhumibol Adulyadej is revered in the way that he is. If our own Royal Family weren't so darn useless, we might respect them a little more too. As for Farang behaviour in Thailand, I do feel we should respect the etiquette expected of us, and defacing a portrait of the King is clearly unacceptable.

Judging by what Thai's say about the King's son I think the lese majeste law will die once the current king dies.

His son is reported hard drinking, corrupt womaniser and is certainly not as revered as his father.

My ex wife to be does respect the king but does not agree with monarchy of any form all though lets not turn this into a bebate of wheter or not to have a monarchy .My influence on her true, but yes the guy should not of done this as it disrespects the thai people .But I believe very strongly every one should be given equal respect regardless off silly out dated titles .We are all human with the same red blood.However just becuase somone has a title ,is also not there fault what they are born into, and they should not be cristised for this aslo .If the guy had burnt the flag of thailand i would agree more with the potential punishament .In all honesty I do not think just because a few feelings get hurt that this warrents any where near 7 years or 75 years imprisonment community service would be much more fitting and benifical to thailand .

The guy is guilty of stupidity & defacing private/public property...period. Fine him, even deport him...but a jail sentance...c'mon, keep it real! There can't be many of us who haven't said or done something stupid when intoxicated, abroad or not. Say he wasn't an elderly Swiss bloke ( a complete stranger to you ), say he was your son or daughter, husband or wife who had a 'mad' moment. Would he still be deserving in getting 7-75 years in prison then?
Stupidity comes in many forms & lives in all of us & in my humble opinion this draconian Thai law is but one example of that.

After all, would anyone in their right mind shout abuse to New Yorkers at the site of Ground Zero? Would any sensible human shout 'bomb!' on the London Underground. No.

quote:

If any does or might of already shouted abuse while drunk I am sure they might be in danger of a beating ,but I am sure they would not face 7 to 75 years in prison .I think the Swiss guy was very stupid but I would not like to see him
put in prison just for having a very low inteligence, and making a complete idiot of himself while drunk, as happens to many people on ocassions .Some thigs can be frogiven and this certainly can ,nobody got hurt raped murdered or drugs pushed on them.

I don't think the Thai's want to keep this quiet so as not to offend their own, I have a feeling its to avoid any further debate about the Country at this moment in time - just a thought and who knows?

For sure what he did was offensive and he's a fool and from what I understand, he has a Thai family (? - read that somewhere) so he's screwed up big time, but I find it astonishing that anyone can support 7.5 years in jail for this, or any prison sentence.

Som nam nar Mr Jufer!

I was warned about speaking or doing bad to any royal let alone the king on my first visit to LOS in 2004 by expat mates and abide by it!

Heard a story about another farang who dropped a baht note in the street and stood on it to stop blowing away and got nicked for standing on the kings head!
colin 244