Australian writer Harry Nicolaides has been sentenced to three years in a Thai jail for insulting the monarchy.
Nicolaides wrote a novel four years ago, which contained a brief passage referring to an unnamed crown prince. It sold just seven copies.
He admitted the charge of insulting the royal family, but said he was unaware he was committing an offence.
Thailand's monarchy is sheltered from public debate by some of the world's most stringent "lese-majeste" laws.
A 'bad dream'
Harry Nicolaides was arrested as he was leaving the country last August.
His self-published book, called Verisimilitude, was hardly well-received; in fact the only copy which is still known to exist sits on the shelf of the Thai National Library, freely available to the public.
Shackled in leg irons, and wearing standard-issue prison pyjamas, Nicolaides pleaded guilty to the charges against him at Bangkok's Criminal Court on Monday.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (left) and Queen Sirikit. File photo
King Bhumibol is revered in Thailand
He was quickly found guilty, with a judge telling the court: "He has written a book that slandered the king, the crown prince and Thailand and the monarchy."
The court initially sentenced him to six years in jail, but reduced the term because of his guilty plea.
Before the trial Nicolaides had seemed stunned by what was happening to him, describing it is like a ''bad dream''.
But he is just one of a growing number of people being investigated and charged under Thailand's draconian "lese-majeste" law, as the police and army try to suppress what they fear is a rising tide of anti-monarchy sentiment.
More than 3,000 websites have now been blocked, and one political activist was jailed for six years in November for an anti-monarchy speech she made just a stone's throw from the old royal palace last July.
Several other people are now awaiting trial.
As a repentant foreigner, Harry Nicolaides does at least have a good chance of being pardoned by the king, according to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head.
The king did the same for a Swiss man given a 10-year sentence two years ago for defacing his portrait.
I am really sick and tired of the Thai king and their silly law...
It is very anachronistic and the poor guy only sold 7 copies anyway!
I have so many :daisy: to say for the Thai king that I should get into the flower business...
01-19-2009, 13:05
Rhyfelwyr
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Maybe it was a stunt by the author to get publicity, obviously he isn't going to get it for his writing abilities...
Seriously though, that is one unlucky guy. :no:
01-19-2009, 13:37
CountArach
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Monarchy is stupid. Monarchs are worse.
01-19-2009, 13:44
Prince Cobra
Re: The anti Thai king thread
As far as I can remember, some may count this as insulting the symbol of a nation. I know such attitude to the monarch is weird for us, the Europeans, but East is different from us.
P.S. I believe he'll be pardoned.
P.S.2 In fact I don't really approve such a law but we have to respect the foreign customs, I think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountArach
Monarchy is stupid. Monarchs are worse.
As far as I know this one is quite liberal compared to his predecessors. (been writing on Thailand two years ago)
01-19-2009, 14:04
Beefy187
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Hey! We love our Emperor in Japan :furious3:
And iirc Thai peoples love their king as well.
Theres a saying, once your in their land, obey their rule. Rule in the East side is never mess with the ruler.
01-19-2009, 16:06
rory_20_uk
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by 187Beefyz
Hey! We love our Emperor in Japan :furious3:
And iirc Thai peoples love their king as well.
Theres a saying, once your in their land, obey their rule. Rule in the East side is never mess with the ruler.
... and if you don't like it then leave.
~:smoking:
01-19-2009, 22:29
HoreTore
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Thai King?
In my nightmares, I can still remember the dish called "Royal Thai"....
On topic:
Why on earth are people apologizing for such tyrannical laws?
Also, what is Australia doing to get this innocent man freed ASAP?
01-19-2009, 23:15
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Ignorance is no defense before the Law, having said that I would have thought, given the unpopularity of the book, that a token sentence would be handed down. That or a prompt pardon.
01-19-2009, 23:28
Papewaio
Re: The anti Thai king thread
People might want to review the current political climate within Thailand.
He is being made an example of given all the protests against the government that have occurred. Much easier to make an example of a foreigner then a protest leader.
That said, if Australians are that offended by this they can choose to holiday in another nation. Thailand is a very popular choice for Aussies and they are in the top ten of country of origin in Thailand. Given the current economic climate this case could be just one more reason to not go there.
It probably would be worse for Thailand if Bali and Fiji were more stable.
01-19-2009, 23:30
Husar
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by rory_20_uk
... and if you don't like it then leave.
~:smoking:
And become "one of them dirty illegal immigrants who take our jobs and our women...".
01-19-2009, 23:52
CountArach
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by HoreTore
Also, what is Australia doing to get this innocent man freed ASAP?
Sweet :daisy: all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Asen
As far as I know this one is quite liberal compared to his predecessors. (been writing on Thailand two years ago)
If he were truly liberal/enlightened, he would step aside.
01-20-2009, 00:31
Beren Son Of Barahi
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papewaio
People might want to review the current political climate within Thailand.
He is being made an example of given all the protests against the government that have occurred. Much easier to make an example of a foreigner then a protest leader.
That said, if Australians are that offended by this they can choose to holiday in another nation. Thailand is a very popular choice for Aussies and they are in the top ten of country of origin in Thailand. Given the current economic climate this case could be just one more reason to not go there.
It probably would be worse for Thailand if Bali and Fiji were more stable.
I think other places around the region will become more popular; who ever not many other places want what has happened to Thailand to happen there.
what has the king done for his people in the last 5 -10 -15 years?
01-20-2009, 01:29
Beefy187
Re: The anti Thai king thread
A while back but in 1993, the current Thai king has resolved a coup de tat (I definitely spelled that wrong) by being the middle man for both parties. I suppose thats one way to use royal families status.
01-20-2009, 02:24
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beren Son Of Barahi
I think other places around the region will become more popular; who ever not many other places want what has happened to Thailand to happen there.
what has the king done for his people in the last 5 -10 -15 years?
A great deal, actually. He is greatly loved and his appeals for clam have prevented coups from becoming bloody revolutions. The country is very unstable and were it not for the King the regular extra-constitutional changes of regime might become open Civil War.
01-20-2009, 02:48
Mooks
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla
A great deal, actually. He is greatly loved and his appeals for clam have prevented coups from becoming bloody revolutions. The country is very unstable and were it not for the King the regular extra-constitutional changes of regime might become open Civil War.
Doesnt make sense that a greatly loved king would censor criticism. If he was "greatly loved" then it wouldnt make any difference if there were a few dissidents.
01-20-2009, 02:49
Lord Winter
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooks
Doesnt make sense that a greatly loved king would censor criticism. If he was "greatly loved" then it wouldnt make any difference if there were a few dissidents.
Do we even know if the King gave the order for some obscure author to be arrested?
01-20-2009, 04:10
Beefy187
Re: The anti Thai king thread
King cannot afford any criticism. If the royals aren't absolute then they are nothing more then annoying celebrities who reigns high above the commoners. Absolute kings is often popular because they can take out any elements of criticism. Soon as they allow gossiping, they will end up like poor king Louis 16th.
King should worry about the seven books bought and the publisher who went ahead and published.
01-20-2009, 04:14
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
Re: The anti Thai king thread
It is far more likely that the current government, which is deeply unpopular, is using the king as a means to intimidate the populace. Thailand's tendancy to change government via coup seems to have prevented them from developing the patience necessary for a democracy.
01-20-2009, 04:36
CountArach
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by 187Beefyz
King cannot afford any criticism. If the royals aren't absolute then they are nothing more then annoying celebrities who reigns high above the commoners. Absolute kings is often popular because they can take out any elements of criticism. Soon as they allow gossiping, they will end up like poor king Louis 16th.
So wait... you are defending the breach of free speech this action represents?
Also Absolute Kings were only ever popular because:
1) The enlightenment had not occurred.
2) The Aristocracy were the only ones they had to keep happy.
Absolute Monarchy is never going to be popular today.
01-20-2009, 11:16
rasoforos
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla
A great deal, actually. He is greatly loved and his appeals for clam have prevented coups from becoming bloody revolutions. The country is very unstable and were it not for the King the regular extra-constitutional changes of regime might become open Civil War.
Does it make anyone wonder why this country with the 'stabilizing king' is the most unstable in the area?
I don't think he prevents coups. He supported the last one...
Everyone who attempts a coup in Thailand can easily succeed by twisting the king's arm into supporting it...
The king is mainly there to eat Tom Yam, wear yellow and own a whole lot of money. He could stop all this nonsense about arresting people who say his shirt is crinkled and stuff...but he doesn't....so he is a :daisy: to me.
01-20-2009, 11:56
rory_20_uk
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Husar
And become "one of them dirty illegal immigrants who take our jobs and our women...".
Possibly, and I know this is a long shot, they could legally go to another country... ~:idea:
~:smoking:
01-20-2009, 16:52
lars573
Re: The anti Thai king thread
So I just read up on Thailands legal system. Found something interesting. Slander and libel are criminal offenses.
01-20-2009, 20:57
Prince Cobra
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountArach
So wait... you are defending the breach of free speech this action represents?
Also Absolute Kings were only ever popular because:
1) The enlightenment had not occurred.
2) The Aristocracy were the only ones they had to keep happy.
Absolute Monarchy is never going to be popular today.
Thailand is not an absolute monarchy.
And just look on the Cambogia record: they became monarchy again. Why? It is obvious that the liberal monarchy stops most of forms of extreme dictatorships
01-20-2009, 23:12
Evil_Maniac From Mars
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by rasoforos
Does it make anyone wonder why this country with the 'stabilizing king' is the most unstable in the area?
:inquisitive:
I don't know about you, but I would prefer a little bit of "unstability" to Burma (a military dictatorship), Laos (socialist/communist dictatorship), or Vietnam (same thing).
01-21-2009, 02:03
CountArach
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Asen
Thailand is not an absolute monarchy.
I know, but Beefy was defending absolute monarchy.
01-21-2009, 02:06
Lord Winter
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by lars573
So I just read up on Thailands legal system. Found something interesting. Slander and libel are criminal offenses.
Are they not in most western countries?
01-21-2009, 02:07
Evil_Maniac From Mars
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Winter
Are they not in most western countries?
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they are usually classified under Civil Law rather than Criminal.
01-21-2009, 02:17
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
Re: The anti Thai king thread
That's true in most countries, same as traspass.
That brings up a tangential point, CA's arguement about Absolute Monarchy may hold for Europe, does it also hold for East Asia, though?
01-21-2009, 07:27
Beefy187
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountArach
I know, but Beefy was defending absolute monarchy.
It might have worked well couple hundred years back. Not any more. So yes I did like how it worked but I don't think it will work in most of the countries now days.
Absolute monarchy used to be good. Now it doesn't fit the spirit of the time.
01-21-2009, 07:53
CountArach
Re: The anti Thai king thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by 187Beefyz
It might have worked well couple hundred years back. Not any more. So yes I did like how it worked but I don't think it will work in most of the countries now days.
Absolute monarchy used to be good. Now it doesn't fit the spirit of the time.
The only reason they fail now is because we know better. They never worked well - people just didn't know any other way.
