New Mandala has just posted the first half of a wide-ranging interview with Giles Ji Ungpakorn. Giles is asked about his book A coup for the rich, his flight to England, lèse majesté and the role of the king in Thai society. New Mandala promises that the second part of the interview will be published in a few days and will ask Giles about Thaksin, the red-shirt movement and the People’s Alliance for Democracy, along with more personal reflections on academic work and his family history. New Mandala, 20 February 2009: “Special interview: Giles Ungpakorn, Part 1″.
At Bangkok Pundit, there is more debate and speculation regarding Amnesty International’s silence on lèse majesté, 20 February 2009: “Amnesty International and Lese Majeste” and Frank G. Anderson discusses the political ramifications of PAD’s royalism, UPI Asia.com, 20 February 2009: “Opening a can of Thai worms”.
Meanwhile, there is a story on Harry Nicolaides at the Australian newmatilda.com, 20 February 2009: “Less Majesty, More Justice”. In this case, one might also speculate on the silence of the Australian government.
[...] PPT congratulates Human Rights Watch for taking up rights issues in a public way and demanding an end to the political use of the lesé majesté law contrasts remarkably favourably with Amnesty International’s continued silence on such issues. AI’s on-going silence has been discussed elsewhere. [...]
[...] earlier commentary on AI and Thailand see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. It is a long and sorry [...]