Thailand’s Lèse-Majesté Witchhunt

Lèse-majesté charges are on the rise in Thailand, from a single case in 2000 to nearly 500 in 2010. Among the charged is Joe Gordon, an American who translated excerpts of a biography of the Thai King, receiving critical acclaim everywhere but Thailand. Gordon was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, but may receive a royal pardon. Observers can’t help but wonder if such accusations aren’t simply distractions from Thailand’s more pressing problems or a new means for attacking one’s opponents. Even so, the accusations underscore the government’s insecurity and add to concerns among foreign investors and would-be tourists. The king himself has said he’s not above criticism, reports Simon Roughneen for the Asia Sentinel, and a former prime minister who supports the monarchy, has warned that abusive enforcement only damages the monarchy. Meanwhile, the heir to the throne is much less popular than the aging king, which will add new wrinkles for Thai politics and lèse-majesté enforcement. – YaleGlobal