Ludicrous is a word with several synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, preposterous, nonsensical, stupid and farcical. All seem to apply with equal validity as a descriptor for the sentence of 20 years for a man claimed to have sent four SMSs that may have defamed Thailand’s queen and sentenced under the draconian lese majeste and computer crimes laws that protect a monarchy that royalists consider can accept no criticism.
So what word do we use for the statement by Information and Communication Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap who threatens those who use the “like” or “share” buttons on Facebook with years in prison? “Bizarre” perhaps? Or maybe just “authoritarian.” Anudith has advised Facebook users that “by pressing the ‘like’ or ‘share’ button included with posted comment on anti-monarchy messages…” on Facebook, they risk being “arrested on charges of violating the Computer Crime Act and committing lese majeste because the law prohibits the dissemination of content deemed insulting to the monarchy…”.
In any other country on the face of the Earth save North Korea, Anudith would sound deranged. But not in Thailand where royalists believe they are in a battle to save the monarchy and all it stands for. Anudith “urged the users to press the delete’’ button if they receive messages defamatory to the revered institution [sic.], to avoid breaking the law.”
Anudith implied that there must be huge numbers of anti-monarchy statements getiing even more “likes” when warned that: ‘”Any user not deleting it may risk being prosecuted under the Computer Crime Act, because they will be seen as having a role in indirectly disseminating an unlawful message…”.
Sounding simply royalist peculiar, Anudith said that clicking “like” could allow “anarchists to use their personal information to create a fake Facebook account to support their cause.” Yep, that is the word, “anarchists.”
How more absurd is the “protection of the monarchy” going to become? Enough well-meaning people have pointed out that “protecting the monarchy” in mindless campaigns involving repression, spies and prison have actually undermined support for the monarchy. These campaigns are now so puerile that the beggar belief.
