Thailand's best-known social critic arrested for royal insult

Thailand's best- known social critic, Sulak Sivaraksa was arrested Friday in Bangkok on charges of insulting the monarchy. This is not Sulak's first time being arrested, he was also  arrested in 1991 on similar charges, but was later released after his arrest sparked international protests. The arrest comes after Sulak delivered a speech last year to mark International Human Rights day at Khon Kaen University. Sulak is best known for his human right's campaigns around the world and a vocal critic to Thailand's past prime minister Thaskin. 

Sulak was arrested and freed on bail and his lawyer claims this is just another example of the government controlling the freedoms of speech. Sulak's lawyer would not quote the exact parts of the speech that were deemed offensive but said Sulak spoke about human rights, philosophy, and that Sulak believed his critical remarks to be an effort to protect the monarchy. 

The charge of lese- majeste carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, and according to Thailand's laws any insults to the king is illegal because he is thought to be semi-divine by many Thais' and such insults are disrespectful. This is not Thailand's first time controlling the flow of information.  Last year, in an action to stop this growing trend the Thailand government shut down hundreds of websites that had content that was deemed disrespectful to the royal family. Police also said they are investigating over 30 cases with similar charges.

This is just another example of how different Thailand's freedoms are from  other countries in the world with regard to freedoms of press and speech. 

Alyssa Ciambriello