The latest signal of the worsening atmosphere of freedom of expression in Thailand is the summoning of Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul to the police station to hear charges filed against him by the Army.
Several weeks ago, Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul, an associate professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University, was harassed and intimidated by unknown figures who accused him of lèse majesté. On 7 April 2011, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the commander of the army, directly criticized and derided Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul in a public address, describing him as "a mentally ill academic" who "is intent on overthrowing the institution" of the monarchy. Given the current polarized climate in Thailand, these statements from the head of the army are not only inappropriate but also constitute a significant threat. In addition, at that time, unknown persons came on motorcycles to harass Dr. Somsak near his house.
At that time, scholars residing in Australia, the U.S., the UK, Hong Kong, Denmark, Singapore, South Korea and Canada signed and released an
open letter calling for an end to the constriction of freedom of expression in Thailand.
Dr. Kevin Hewison, Director of the Carolina Asia Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comments, “The accusation against Dr. Somsak challenges the Prime Minister. He has said that academic criticism is tolerated. How can he justify action against this well-known academic? “
On 8 May 2011, Dr. Somsak received a summons to appear at Nang Loeng police station in Bangkok at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 11 May 2011. The Thai Army has officially filed a complaint against him and he will go to hear the charges.
“Why is the Army filing charges against a historian?," asks Dr. Craig Reynolds of the Australian National University. "While this is not the first time that the Army has filed charges against a civilian, every instance should be carefully scrutinized.”
In the intervening weeks since the open letter was first released, many additional scholars have signed the letter, bringing the total number to 51 signatories. In addition, there have been several other instances of constriction of freedom of expression, including the widespread, coordinated raiding of community radio stations and the arrest of Mr. Somyos Prueksakasemsuk on charges of violating Article 112. The letter with the updated list of names is being released today in order to signal our concern over the official summoning of Dr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul and the broader crisis of which this is one part.
“I am concerned that in this current political climate both legal cases and extralegal intimidation and threats will proliferate to constrict speech and silence dissent in Thailand. This will have an increasingly negative effect on the possibilities for human rights and democracy in Thailand,” notes Dr. Tyrell Haberkorn of the Australian National University.
Dr. Michael K. Connors, La Trobe University
Dr. Nancy Eberhardt, Knox College
Dr. Nicholas Farrelly, Australian National University
Dr. Arnika Fuhrmann, Hong Kong University
Dr. Jim Glassman, University of British Columbia
Dr. Tyrell Haberkorn, Australian National University
Dr. Kevin Hewison, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Dr. CJ Hinke, Freedom Against Censorship Thailand
Dr. Soren Ivarsson, University of Copenhagen
Dr. Andrew Johnson, Sogang University
Dr. Tomas Larsson, Cambridge University
Dr. Charles Keyes, University of Washington
Mr. Samson Lim, Cornell University
Dr. Tamara Loos, Cornell University
Dr. Mary Beth Mills, Colby College
Ms. Nattakant Akarapongpisak, Australian National University
Dr. Craig Reynolds, Australian National University
Mr. Andrew Spooner, Nottingham Trent University
Dr. David Streckfuss, Council on International Educational Exchange
Mr. Sing Suwannakij, University of Copenhagen
Dr. Michelle Tan, Independent Scholar, USA
Mr. Benjamin Tausig, New York University
Mr. Giles Ji Ungpakorn, Independent Scholar, UK
Dr. Andrew Walker, Australian National University
Dr. Thongchai Winichakul, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mr. Kritdikorn Wongswangpanich, Aberystwyth University
Dr. Adadol Ingawanij, University of Westminster
Dr. Rachel V. Harrison, University of London
Dr. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Institute for Southeast Asian Studies
Dr. Pongphisoot Busbarat, Australian National University
Mr.Watcharabon Buddharksa, University of York
Dr. Robert Albritton, University of Mississippi
Mr.Poowin Bunyavejchewin, University of Hull
Dr. Jane Ferguson, Australian National University
Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat, Payap University
Dr. Maurizio Peleggi, National University of Singapore
Mr. Preedee Hongsaton, Australian National University
Dr. Federico Ferrara, City University of Hong Kong
Dr. Thomas Hoy, Thammasat University-Rangsit
Mr. Serhat Uenaldi, Humboldt-University of Berlin
Dr. Ruediger Korff, University of Passau
Dr. Sascha Helbardt, University of Passau
Dr. Charnvit Kasetsiri, Institute for Southeast Asian Studies
Mr. Claudio Sopranzetti, Harvard University
Dr. Jim Taylor, University of Adelaide
Dr. Andrew Brown, University of New England
Dr. Grant Evans, University of Hong Kong
Dr. John Langer, Victoria University (Melbourne)
Dr. Katherine Bowie, University of Wisconsin-Madisn
Dr. Sarah Van Fleet, Univeristy of Washington
Mr. Ithi Sophonpanich, University of Hawaii at Manoa
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