Web Censorship

The Thai government is currently investigating twenty something web sites for criticizing the monarchy (lese majeste). Included in these web sites was a pro-Thaksin website that has already been shut down. As you may remember, a conviction on lese majeste can result in a prison sentence of up to fifteen years.

A few thoughts about this. First, Thailand can only contain criticism within its border. It can shut down sites hosted here, and block access to those outside its borders. In this age, however, it cannot stop the criticism.

Lese majeste laws bother me for a few reasons. Personally, I don't have any criticism of the King. He is loved by Thai people, and by all accounts he has worked tirelessly to earn that love and respect. King Rama IX has been the one stabilizing figure in Thai government over the last sixty years. Without him, its very possible that Thailand could have fallen to the same fate of some of its neighbors who suffer under a military dictatorship. As flawed and fragile as its democracy may be, Thai citizens were able to vote in elections free from physical coercion (of course they may have been paid for their vote, but that's another matter for another discussion). The King and his family have devoted their lives to help the poor here in Thailand.

The problem that I have with the laws is that they have a chilling effect on speech. If an academic wanted to discuss the merits of different government structures for Thailand, would pointing out possible flaws in the current constitutional monarchy constitute an attack on the King? Would discussing a possible future government that did not include a monarchy constitute lese majeste if it talked about disadvantages to having a monarch?

Right now there is not a lot of opposition to the lese majeste laws because the King is so popular. The King is over eighty years old, and however benevolent and great, he will not live forever. It is quite possible that the next King may not be as universally popular as King Rama IX. In fact, its a near certainty. As the current King is really the glue that keeps this all together, Thais owe it to themselves to frankly and honestly discuss what happens next. Can they do that if any potential criticism of the crown prince (or whoever the successor ends up being) results in prosecution and prison?

Aside from keeping Thais from freely discussing their future government, lese majeste laws can be used as a political weapon. One of the charges against Thaksin was that he disrespected the monarchy. I'm not sure what he allegedly did to do that, or if its even true. But having the charges leveled against you can be damaging to ones reputation and career, not to mention one's personal liberty. And as what constitutes disrespect is not well defined, it is a potent weapon to wield against one's enemies.