All Thai parties firm on lese majeste

All Thai parties firm on lese majeste
Bangkok Post, January 7, 2012

All political parties have agreed that Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, and any section of the constitution relating to the monarchy should remain intact.

Leaders and representatives of nine parties represented in parliament reached a common position on the matter yesterday as they met to discuss national reconciliation over lunch.
The meeting was hosted by Matubhum Party leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who chairs a special parliamentary committee on reconciliation.

Key participants included Democrat Party and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.


Pheu Thai list MP Watthana Muangsuk, deputy chairman of the committee, said after the meeting that all parties had agreed they will not push for any change to Section 112 and that any sections of the constitution related to the monarchy should also be left alone.

Rigorous enforcement of Section 112 has led to criticism by some observers who say that it is stifling free speech.

The parties also agreed that their common stance should be made public and they also called for a committee to be set up to screen lese majeste cases to ensure fairness to those charged under the law, Mr Watthana said.

Gen Sonthi, who led the military coup that ousted the Thaksin Shinawatra administration on Sept 19, 2006, said the aim of the meeting was to seek the political parties' opinions on the work of the committee. He said they had voiced support for his committee to bring about national reconciliation.

Gen Sonthi said his committee will ask all parties involved in the political conflict and representatives from all sectors of society to find ways to foster national harmony.

The committee will invite army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday to provide information on security affairs and to offer his take on reconciliation.

Bhumjaithai Party list MP Supachai Jaisamut said the meeting wanted Pheu Thai and the government to stay away from changing Section 112 but for the government to ensure the law is not used as a tool.

Mr Supachai said the meeting also called on the Pheu Thai Party and its government to clarify its move to amend Section 237, which covers the dissolution of parties and banishment from politics of party executives as a result of party dissolution; and Section 309, which insulates the 2006 coup makers from prosecution and legitimises their actions.

Meanwhile, air force chief Itthaporn Subhawong voiced opposition to the move to amend the constitution. He said the present constitution was endorsed in a referendum by the public.