Branch 10: Experts tell through BBC documentary why students risk jail for reforming the monarchy – BBC News Thailand

“The Inquiry” on BBC World Service Presented a 24-minute news documentary on November 5, titled “Why Thai Students Risk Prison for Demonstrating Monarchy Reform.”This website

Four Thai political experts in Thailand, Japan, the United States and Scotland are now explaining the story of the demonstration in English to a global audience.

The radio show began with the story of 27-year-old factory worker Thanakorn Siripaiboon in the middle of the night in 2015. He heard a knock on the door. On the other side of the door, a team of soldiers and policemen awaited arrest. They took him from his home in Samut Prakan province and sent him to Bangkok. He is reportedly detained by the soldiers. Many days passed His family and lawyers had no idea where he was and were concerned for his safety.

The charge reported by the officer was that he violated the law by posting photos of the king’s dog. With sarcastic comments about companion dogs on Facebook

Thanakorn was sentenced to 15 years in prison for insulting the monarchy under article 112 of the Penal Code. It’s one of the harshest laws in the world and it’s punishable, but this year hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken power across the country. And he openly criticized the king, calling for the reform of the monarchy

The host of the program said: His Majesty King Kathibesorn Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Great Borommanat Bophit, is the head of the country that the people of the country love and respect. He ruled the country for 70 years before his death. His son was His Majesty King Phra Ramathibodi Srisindhorn Maha Vajiralongkorn. Phra Wachiraklao Chao Yu Hua Ascended the throne in 2016.

Tamara Louise, Associate Professor of History and Southeast Asian Studies at Cornell University, USA, explains that we need to know the Thai monarchy that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that is not colonized by the nation. Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries and the monarch was considered to protect the country’s independence.

She said the image of the king as guardian was embedded in the official history lesson. And the personal identity of the king

Thais are taught that they are indebted to the king who has led the country to survive in independence. It is difficult to challenge what the king does. No one will ask questions about royal power. What is considered beyond acceptance under ‘Thais’ to describe in this way has dominated Thai history to this day. That is why the monarchy is facing today, ”said Louise.

So why was the first king so popular with the people?

“Some may argue that The King’s Personality and Image were carefully created” through royal projects across the country. And the graduation of the graduates of each university is “a great thing that is close to the personal lives of people,” he added.

Today, the promotion of the king’s image, both past and present, can be seen in the daily life of Thai people. Through public holidays in Thailand that are used to promote the monarchy, such as the celebration of Father’s Day. On the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej “.

Louise said that advertising for imaging alone could not earn King Bhumibol the respect of the people. But that loyalty comes from His royal duties to people.

“It is understood that he lived his life in a dignified way. No Surai Surai He behaves according to the image of the king with compassion and virtue in the opinion of the majority of the Thai population. They can reach him. And many people adore him.”

“I don’t think Thais see him as God. Because they knew he was a human being. But they see him as a highly respected person.”

Louise said that the manner of King Rama IX was probably the main reason for his escape from criticism. But Thai law also makes it clear that criticism of the King is prohibited. As seen in article 112 of the Penal Code. Anyone who commits a crime under this section will be subject to a heavy sentence and imprisonment for many years. Thailand is not the only country in the world that still has and implements this law. But Thailand’s penalties are considered one of the worst punishments in the world.

“When King Rama IX was ill, Thais worried about the throne of the Crown Prince. We see coups or condemnation of the Lese Majeste people. What is more political than real, breaking the law.”

The person who led the 2014 coup was General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who later won the elections in 2019 in a way that people wondered about transparency. And entering prime minister so far And one of the main demands of the protesters was the resignation of Gen Prayut.

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On this subject, Andrew McGregor Marshall, Scottish freelance journalist. And critics of the Thai royal family Mentioned in this list Compare the loyalty of the people to King Rama IX compared to King Rama IX and tell about the youth of the current King. But BBC Thai Can’t File For Violating Section 112

“The monarchy is the most powerful institution in Thailand. And the soldiers and the monarchy were always together. This was the reason why the protesters targeted the monarchy. They know that the real power is not in the government, but in the monarchy” said Marshall, whose book he wrote with the monarchy in Thailand was banned by the Thai government.

Century of blow

Associate Professor Pawin Chatchawanpongphan Scholar at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies Kyoto University in Japan is another expert who responded to the list.

“Since 1932, after the abolition of the absolute monarchy, Thailand has had 23 coups d’état, which is considered the country with the most powerful militants in the world. But we still call our own country a democratic country,” said Pwin while he was at the political exile in Japan.

“When the last coup in 2014, the military called me to adjust my attitude but I did not go, so they gave me an order and canceled my passport and the situation forced me to be a refugee,” he added.

Pwin said the state did not now directly adopt Section 112, but avoided it. Computer crime law Lèse majesté, liking “Old liquor in a new bottle”

“Many came out and said that they were not aware of the facts about the king for a long time until the death of Rama IX in 2016, which I think was a time when the propaganda was ineffective. More And they realize that the monarchy is the root cause of all the problems in Thailand, ”Pawin explains.

Political unrest began earlier this year when the old Democratic party was dissolved. The party is seen as a new hope for the younger generation and the electorate for the first time after years of military rule.

The demonstrations did not take place until June after political activists such as the Holy Day of Fame. He disappeared after taking refuge in Cambodia. Who was kidnapped In which he is an activist criticizing the monarchy and the ninth soldier who mysteriously disappeared.

“I’m not very surprised by what happened to the celebration. But it is very heartbreaking because he is at an age that can connect with the younger generation. And I think that’s why they got together. ”

There are several other points that Pawin made on the show. But the BBC Thai could not report it because it could “Lèse majesté”

Dr. Chanjira Sombatpoonsiri Researcher at the Asia Institute Chulalongkorn University He told the BBC that many of his students do not see their future in Thailand. They are tired of being under military rule and the harsh rules of the academy that make them feel obligated.

“I was born and watched Rama IX a lot on television, and my generation would see how the King developed the country even if I didn’t know if it was propaganda or not. But I think the love for the king at that time was real, ”Janjira said.

“But when it comes to this moment, modern children see differently. They were born in a time when they would not see what the monarchy did to society. But on the other hand, what they saw was the monarchy, taken away.”

Janjira said that despite the backdrop of the protesters there were many problems. But there were a few things that they agreed on.

“I think the movement of students and students is different for each group. Although they have three common demands, the Prime Minister must resign. The constitution must be amended. And there must be a reform of the monarchy. It will be difficult to achieve ”, explains Janjira.

Calls for the reform of the monarchy are very difficult to make. Because political institutions, military and conservative groups have to open the way for that to happen.

“Many people want the monarchy to adapt to the modern era. And there is another group of people who want the institution. You don’t have to get involved with society at all. What we see is that the protesters have to fight against two things: a battle against an undemocratic regime and against the supporters of this regime, who constitute more than half of the population of Thailand.

The assembly that took place by a group of students takes months. The government tried to block the assembly of this youth group. In one of the demonstrations, the government used a high-pressure jet of water to dissolve the assembly. But what happened is The protesters got stronger and met more often with more participants.

“Any political system that survives a crisis must not close its doors to all demands. I think this is very dangerous. Because it will make the protesters raise the level of violence. If the government still does not respond to the protesters’ demands I think this is the beginning of the end of the government.

“But on the part of the monarchy, it is difficult to analyze what will happen. As this institution is deeply rooted in Thai society, I think the institute will continue but will develop to adapt more to the times.”