Thai academic accused of insulting monarchy flees

By AMBIKA AHUJA,Associated Press Writer AP

BANGKOK - A prominent academic facing 15 years in prison for allegedly insulting Thailand's monarchy fled to England, saying Monday he does not believe he will receive a fair trial.

 

Ji Ungpakorn, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, was charged last month under the so-called lese majeste law over a book about Thailand's 2006 military coup. His case is the latest in a spate of prosecutions and increased censorship of Web sites allegedly critical of the royal family.

"There is no justice in Thailand," said Ji in an e-mail sent Monday to The Associated Press. "The regime seems to be inching toward a police state."

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy but has severe lese majeste laws, mandating a jail term of three to 15 years for "whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir to the throne or the Regent."

Until recently, prosecutions under the law were uncommon in a country where 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej _ the world's longest serving head of state _ is almost universally revered.

Police Lt. Gen. Wacharapon Prasatrachakit, a police spokesman, denied the charge that Ji would not receive a fair trial.

"There is no reason to believe he will not receive a fair trial. We have to look into the complaint, like every other complaint, and give everyone their chance to defend themselves. This case is no different," he said. He declined to elaborate on the case.

Ji, who holds both Thai and British citizenship, has led a campaign to abolish the law. He said he was targeted for political reasons because his 2007 book, "A Coup for the Rich," criticized the military for ousting then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the book, he indirectly questioned the palace's role in Thai politics during the period.

Australian writer Harry Nicolaides was sent to prison for three years last month for defaming the monarchy in a novel that sold just seven copies. A BBC reporter is among others charged recently.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has announced plans to block alleged anti-monarchist Web sites, raising hackles among freedom of speech proponents.

Although he does not have much official power, Bhumibol _ with the backing of the military _ has since the 1960s held substantial political influence, usually exercised only in times of national crisis.

But his influence was challenged by the rise of billionaire politician Thaksin, who became prime minister in 2001. Thaksin won the following of the country's rural majority with populist policies, including low-cost universal health care.