American arrested for lese majeste

Prachatai (ไทย) reports that on 26 May 2011 the Department of Special Investigation has arrested and charged an anonymously named Mister Joe, a 54 year-old, on lese majeste and related computer crimes infringements. His computer and mobile phone were seized. He is in custody after 20 – yes, 20!! –arrested him on the 23rd in Nakorn Ratchasima and brought him to Bangkok for interrogation by DSI.

AFP reports that the man’s Thai name  is Lerpong Wichaikhammat.

Joe is reported to be Thai but lived in the US state of Colorado for many years. He holds US citizenship. He returned to Thailand about a year ago for treatment of high blood pressure and gout.

DSI say he is the owner of a blog that was established 4 years ago (i.e. when he did not reside in Thailand) with links that allowed downloading of Paul Handley’s The King Never Smiles. Yes, a book that is banned but very widely available in Thailand in English and Thai.

Despite friends presenting 1.7 million baht, the court refused bail as it was opposed by DSI and because it was a serious case related to national security. He remains in jail not least because he has denied the charges.

In the AFP report, the DSI say Joe “translated articles which are deemed insulting to the monarchy and posted them on his blog. Also he provided a link to a book ‘perceived as critical of the royal family…’.”

The US Embassy has said that he is an American citizen and that it was providing consular assistance.

On the basis of this report, this case reveals three things. First, the royalists are not backing off despite the mounting calls for reform. Second, they seem unconcerned that they are moving into areas of lese majeste that are patently ludicrous. Third, foreigners are again being warned.

It is good that the international media has picked this case up.

Update: As we wrote this, Prachatai posted its story in English. Here it is in full:

Joe Gordon, 54, has been arrested by the Department of Special Investigation in Nakhon Ratchasima for lèse majesté and computer crimes.  The DSI alleges that he owns a blog which offers a link to download The King Never Smiles.

Over 20 DSI officials arrested him at his house in Nakhon Ratchasima on 24 May at about 10 am, seized his desktop computer and mobile phone, and took him to DSI headquarters in Bangkok for interrogation.

He has been charged by the DSI with lèse majesté, inciting unrest and disobedience of the law in public, and disseminating computer data which threatens national security.

On 26 May, the DSI brought Gordon, his Thai name withheld at his request, to the Criminal Court to ask for him to be remanded.

The DSI considers that this is an important case, as it believes that he is ‘Nai Sin Sae Jiew (นายสิน แซ่จิ้ว)’, the owner of a blog, which was created in the USA in 2007 and has a link to download the banned book The King Never Smiles.

Gordon denied all charges and contacted the US Embassy.

His friends brought a land title deed worth over 1.7 million baht to place as a bail guarantee, but, in response to objections from the DSI, the court denied bail, citing that this was a serious case concerning national security, and that the accused might tamper with evidence.

He was then sent to Bangkok Remand Prison.

According to Gordon, he lived in Colorado, USA, for over 30 years, and has acquired American citizenship.  He returned to Thailand over a year ago to receive medical treatment for high blood pressure and gout.

He said that he had never thought of returning to Thailand, but due to his illness and the death of his wife who had died from cancer, he decided to come back to receive treatment in his hometown.

During his stay, he taught English to children.  He said that the authorities had sent a young man to study with him as a spy.  They, however, never discussed politics, he said.

An official from the US Embassy has visited him at the prison, and told him that the embassy will try to help him as much as possible.

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