Writer jailed for Thai insult

Post by **STEVE G** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:52 pm

Australian writer Harry Nicolaides has been sentenced to three years in jail for insulting the monarchy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7836854.stm
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... yal-family

Post by **poosmate** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:25 pm

Shame Richard has been banned I am sure he would like to be able to comment on this issue

Post by **H2ODunc** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:37 pm

I saw the guy on the BBC news tonight crying his eyes out. Evidently the book he wrote only sold 7 copies. The offending chapter had something to do with the prince ?I think its a bit harsh considering how many people have actually read the offending book but here in Thailand they do hold the royal family in very high esteem. Unlike in the UK where they have been slating the prince in all the papers calling him everything from thick to a racist.
How come no Khun Richard ? BANNED ? We didnt always see eye to eye but I always found his posts very enlightening. Can't we start a bring back Richard campaign or was it serious ?

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:08 am

Everyone knows where they stand regarding the Thai Royal family, or they should do. I have no sympathy for him...

Post by **cozza** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:30 am

Im sorry, but anyone foolish enough to write such a book and STAY in Thailand cannot be taken seriously or as even being sane.

He has promoted a book that no-one can buy by sending a copy to the government (apparently). This is how he was caught.

If anyone was to do some some research on the King, they will find a good man who has replaced opium with coffee and provided places of education rather than just pour money into his country.

Why this man would do what he is has done is just ludicrous.

Also, he has been in jail for 5 months already, if something were to happen (violence), it would have happened by now.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:04 am

Bit of both, felt sorry for him when I saw him on TV, but what on earth possessed him to write it. He must of known the law thing about Royals here.

SJ

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:26 am

I think we'll see that the King will pardon him shortly. Pete

Post by **redzonerocker** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:38 am

prcscct wrote:I think we'll see that the King will pardon him shortly. Pete

a possibility pete, but like most others i feel very little sympathy for him & his stupidity

do you think he was crying because he is gonna spend 3 years in a thai jail or cos he only sold 7 copies of the book

Post by tj » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:58 am

Apparently was all caused by 3 lines in the book in reference to the Prince. Does anybody know what was contained in those 3 lines? Even the press here in Oz have not disclosed what the reference was or what the intent was? I guess if someone does know they will have to pm me as if posted here the moderators will also be spending the next few months inside!

Post by **caducus** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:01 am

According to an interview given soon after his arrest last year, all he wrote was that,

"From (name but no number of a king) to the (name given to male heir apparent), Thai men are well-known for having multiple wives and concubines for entertainment."

This was in a "work of imaginative fiction" and was spoken by "an omniscient narrator passing rumour to the protagonist."

Just because we live in Thailand and are aware of the respect accorded to the Monarchy, we are still entitled to consider the lese majeste law to be an archaic anachronism.

That is why, as a respecter of human rights, I consider the punishment to excessive and unjustifiable.

Harry should, therefore, be freed immediately and made to write one-hundred times,

"Next time I write a book I'll have it edited before publication".

Post by **cozza** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:35 am

Just because we live in Thailand and are aware of the respect accorded to the Monarchy, we are still entitled to consider the lese majeste law to be an archaic anachronism.

Just because Thailand is in a world where the West have the biggest guns, does not mean that Thailand have to think like the West or 'be' the West.

The law is the law, especially in a foreign country.

ozuncle · Post by **ozuncle** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:08 am

I've just browsed thru the book.
The offending comments were very low key and well known to everyone.
Still very dumb to put them in a book!
It is available to see on line "verisimilitude"
If you can't find it I can PM a link.

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:28 am

Randy Cornhole wrote -

Everyone knows where they stand regarding the Thai Royal family.

I agree with you Randy 100% I have no sympathy for him either...

Post by **nevets** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:26 am

This man should have been more careful , the Thai people have many discussions about you know who and always in private .
As they are always aware big brother is watching and would never put anything in writing, stupid man.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:44 am

These laws are, as said, very harsh and vague. It's interesting the scope of different types of people that get caught in the net. It's not only foreigners etc but a lot of Thais that fall foul of them too, like that case of two young Thai guys that got arrested in a cinema for not standing up during the national anthem.

Technically, I think, any Thai can accuse anyone of an infringement of these laws and the police are required to investigate the complaint. They(these laws) are so vague they can be almost moulded to suit any end.

Everyone, including the locals, should be aware of it and are bordering on the foolish if they don't, but they(the laws) are an enigma.

This subject should always be given a wide berth.