Thailand News

Justice Minister supports vigilantism against lèse-majesté

Published

4 years ago

19/10/2016

Justice Minister supports vigilantism against lèse-majesté | Samui Times

Thailand’s Justice Minister has said ‘social sanction’ is the best way to protect the monarchy, adding Thais should do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad. Meanwhile, the junta has urged people to use legal process rather than violence.

On 18 October 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya was asked by media for his opinion on the case of vigilantism against a lèse-majesté soy milk seller in Phuket that occurred three days earlier. The Minister replied nothing is better than social sanction and also encouraged Thais in other countries to do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad, reported Matichon Online.

The Minister said that he will make a full effort to prosecute lèse-majesté committers staying abroad, despite the fact that Thailand’s lèse-majesté law does not apply in other countries.

“We’re always working but other countries’ law are the obstacle. I’ve always been concerned about the issue but the problem is that they (the lèse-majesté committers) move abroad. And in terms of law, we have to respect other countries’ sovereignty,” said Paiboon.

In a contrasting development, Matichon Online reported that the junta’s spokesperson Piyapong Klinphan has urged the public not to assault lèse-majesté committers but to strictly follow the legal process instead.

Full Story – Prachatai English

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