Activist Arnon Nampa jailed for calling for royal reform
Photo: Wikipedia
Prominent activist and human rights lawyer, Arnon Nampa (อานนท์นำภา, Aanon Namphaa), was sentenced to four years in prison last week. The BBC wrote the article below about this.
One of Thailand's most prominent political activists, Arnon Nampa, has been sentenced to four years in prison under the much-criticized defamation law known as the lèse-majesté law. This law prohibits insulting the monarchy, under penalty of long-term detention in prison. Arnon was convicted by a Bangkok court for comments he made during a protest in October 2020.
Since the army came to power in a coup in 2014, the law has been increasingly strictly enforced. Arnon, a human rights lawyer, was the first activist to publicly call for a national debate on the role of the monarchy in modern-day Thailand.
Political background
Arnon's conviction follows months of public debate about the law following the general election in May. During these elections, the progressive Move Forward party exceeded expectations by winning the largest number of votes and seats in parliament. This is based on a platform with far-reaching reforms, including the demand that the lese majeste law be amended.
This demand was cited by the military-appointed Senate as justification for blocking a government led by Move Forward. This despite the clear majority that the party had in parliament together with its then coalition partners. Many senators argued that simply proposing changes to the law threatened the status of the monarchy in Thailand and therefore could not be allowed. As a result, an alternative coalition was put together, which includes many of the conservative parties from the previous government. Any debate about the monarchy will certainly now be strongly discouraged.
A breakthrough and the consequences
Arnon Nampa made his breakthrough on August 3, 2020, when he broke a strict taboo during the student-led protests against the (military-backed) government. This is by demanding that the monarchy be part of broader calls for reform. This was a very risky thing to do, as people in Thailand have been jailed for 30 to 40 years for social media posts that defamed the royal family. It is also very difficult to defend yourself against a lese majeste charge. Trials often take place behind closed doors and suspects are under great pressure to plead guilty so that the usually harsh sentences are reduced.
Arnon's call struck a chord with many young people. Officially, the Thai king is above politics and plays a largely ceremonial role in public, like other constitutional monarchs. However, the Thai monarchy is one of the richest in the world and in practice can wield great power. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has personal command of the most important army units. Much of how the palace is financed or exerts its influence remains opaque.
Student manifesto and protests
A week after Arnon's taboo-breaking proposal, students at Thammasat University published a manifesto calling for large-scale changes in the monarchy. The following five months saw a series of increasingly brutal demonstrations in Bangkok and other cities. The monarchy was central to this and the demonstrators argued that real change was not possible unless the monarchy was also discussed.
Until the protests in 2020, the use of the lese majeste law had been suspended for two years at the king's request. Royalists privately admitted that such persecutions damaged the monarchy's image. However, some protesters' open criticism and even contempt for the royal family led to a reconsideration. In December 2020, the lese majeste law was again used against protest leaders, especially Arnon Nampa, who has been charged 14 times. He also faces multiple charges under other security laws such as sedition and the Computer Crimes Act, and has already spent several months in jail.
Influence of the protests and future politics
The 2020 protests fizzled out the following year. But many of the ideas of the youth movement behind it survived and were adopted by the Move Forward party for its 2023 election campaign. The party carefully avoided any direct calls for royal reform, but did talk about the need for a national conversation about the highest institute, as Arnon had done, and wanted the lese majeste law amended.
Some of Move Forward's young candidates themselves faced lèse-majesté charges for their involvement in the 2020 protests. Some are now MPs for the first time in the new parliament, where they are part of the opposition. The Senate's success in keeping Move Forward out of power means that the public discussion the party wanted about the monarchy cannot take place for the time being. It has also quashed any real possibility that the lese majeste law will be changed or its use curtailed. Since 2020, 257 people have been charged with lese majeste, the highest number ever in Thailand.
Protest leaders of the 2020 movement, like Arnon Nampa, will spend many years defending themselves against multiple criminal charges. He has two very young children who may not see much of their father as they grow up.
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Source: Thailand: Leading activist Arnon Nampa jailed over calls for royal reform (bbc.com)
NB: Arnon currently faces 10 other charges. More about Arnon on the excellent Prachatai: Anon Nampa | Prachatai English
Here are some short letters that Arnon wrote from prison to his two children. Thai written text and English translation. Very moving!
Arnon Nampa's Letters from Prison – Center for Southeast Asian Studies – UW–Madison (wisc.edu)
Also thanks to the editors for the translation and to Rob V. for his contribution.
About this blogger
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Born in 1944 in Delfzijl as the son of a simple shopkeeper. Studied in Groningen and Curacao. Worked as a doctor in Tanzania for three years, then as a general practitioner in Vlaardingen. A few years before my retirement I married a Thai lady, we had a son who speaks three languages well.
Lived in Thailand for almost 20 years, first in Chiang Kham (Phayao province) then in Chiang Mai where I liked to bother all kinds of Thai with all kinds of questions. Followed Thai extracurricular education after which a diploma of primary school and three years of secondary school. Did a lot of volunteer work. Interested in the Thai language, history and culture. Have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years now together with my son and often with his Thai girlfriend.
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Deeply sad, the dark side of Thailand. At the moment 14 years in prison and then there are 10 more cases
en route………
See also:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2835753/activist-lawyer-gets-another-4-years-for-lese-majeste
Article 112 should keep the elite in power and prevent the people from looking critically at the upper class. And the House is the means to that end. Years ago they locked up an old man because he had 'lent out' his Facebook password and someone took advantage of it. The man rotted away in jail due to cancer.
I'm curious to see what will happen to Thaksin. That is a very big fish with a lot of support in the country; Are they also going to lock them up on the basis of 112? Or will he get a nice room in a hospital because he has a heart problem and perhaps his request for clemency is already ready?
Dear Erik, Article 112 only applies to the people, Thaksin is, as you know, the viceroy and is on good terms with the royal family, the agitators who want to convict him for Article 112 are political opponents who do not have enough power to be successful.
All nice words Erik, but at the end of the day they are screwed.
If you know that such an attitude towards the royal family is severely punished, you are an idiot not to stick to the rules. Then you shouldn't complain afterwards.
I absolutely do not approve of that legislation, but I adhere to the law. Apparently there are often people who want to profile themselves with all the consequences that entails. There are worse countries in the world than Thailand. It can't be that difficult.
I am actually glad that not everyone can stick to the rules, otherwise society (in Thailand, the Netherlands or anywhere else) would not have seen so much change over time. The protest leaders of today and before often have a good set of brains, and an abundance of passion and drive to want to change certain things. Whether a different approach or strategy might have had more results is of course something we can discuss for a long time. But I completely disagree with labeling everyone who does not obediently get on their knees and say yes and amen/sathoe as a fool.
Thailand can be happy with people like Anon, Netiwit, Rung, Penguin, Thanathorn, Cho(r). Or in the old days people like Narin Phasit, Puey Ungphakorn, Pridi and so on.
So you're happy that others don't follow the rules and stand up for their rights? The fact that they run the risk of heavy prison sentences, which this article clearly shows, is then a side issue?
Nice reasoning, Rob.
I also disagree with the attitude of policymakers. Let that be clear. But I don't take any chances to express my opinion in public.
Suppressing the people and scaremongering is obviously a bad thing. I'm not happy about that either. But in my opinion the activist mentioned in this topic is an idiot. You can't call it smart to put his ego and hard views above his family happiness and leave behind 2 children and a wife.
If I remember correctly Rob, you don't live in Thailand, right? Take your suitcases and feel free to drop by in Bangkok. Let it be clearly stated that you want to get rid of the monasty and want a reform of the policy. I would like to welcome you in advance.
It is actually good to express support for any activist anywhere in the world who is speaking out against any form of oppression. There are not that many people who are critical of Thailand's monarchy (not: monasty). Recently a young woman died because her hunger strike was not taken seriously in detention. Thailand also lives until 2024.
Dear Bart, read this story:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8se-majest%C3%A9_in_Thailand
And see what King Bhumibol said in 2005:
During his 2005 birthday speech, Bhumibol invited criticism: “Actually, I must also be criticized. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the king cannot be criticized, it means that the king is not human,” he claims. “If the king can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him because the king is not being treated as a human being. But the king can do wrong.”
Well, dear Tino, I invite you to publicly and without hesitation to question the attitude of the royal family in Thailand.
What the former king thought is not taken into account. And certainly not with what is on Wikipedia. Color neatly between the lines because, as you know all too well, the punishments for lèse-majesté are not lenient.
Bart, those people do not want to 'profile' themselves, but stand up against abuses. Just like the heads that have rolled for voting rights, for democracy; in our country the student protests at the end of the 60s. Without them we would all still be serfs.
Bart,
The people who question the policy of the Thai government and therefore approve of the protests against the royal family obviously have easy things to say.
In the 15 years that I have lived here, I have always known that you must treat the monastry with the necessary respect. If you do not do this, you risk severe penalties. Color neatly within the lines, then you will have no problems.
These same people are probably the first in line to complain if foreigners in their own country do not adapt or do not comply with the rules and laws.
I am of the same opinion that I do not always agree with the policies in Thailand. But we have nothing to argue about here. I think it's wrong to come here on the blog and shout about how we would like it or that we don't agree with the way things are going at all. We are guests here and have to follow the rules. Not turned around.
And a Thai knows all too well not to mess with the royal family. If they do this, they take a lot of risks and the consequences are not minor. If this is a good thing, I will leave it open.
What is wrong with becoming informed or being informed? Many retirees do not speak English and do not read English-language Thai newspapers. Then it is good that Thailandblog pays attention to some Thai issues. Imprisoning critics is no longer relevant in 2024. Then you are talking about totalitarian or autocratic regimes. Of course you treat the mores of the country where you live with respect, but denying or looking away or not daring to express yourself is exactly what the legislation surrounding the theme in question has the effect of. I have been here in Thailand permanently since 2012. I don't feel like a guest. I am not a tourist but a resident. I live here. I am married here, take care of my family, invest, pay taxes, I participate in Thai society: why am I not allowed to like it? Color neatly within the lines? That smacks of fear mongering. Uncalled for.
Well, Henk, you don't feel like a guest and you think you can call yourself a resident? Strong statements.
The day that immigration deems that you no longer fit into their picture, you can neatly pack your suitcases and leave. It's that simple.
And yes, you too can color within the lines, whatever you think. I have also lived here for many years and know the ins and outs of the Thai people quite well. But I don't have the courage to proclaim here that we may or may not say anything about the Thai monarchy without delay.
Together with many Thais, I may be a faint-hearted person in that regard... Thailand is what it is, a foreigner should not judge that.
Ludo, in this blog you have freedom of expression within widely accepted limits and that is a great thing.
It is not appropriate for you to treat people who think differently than you with a slogan such as '... are probably the first in line to complain if foreigners in their own country do not adapt or ..etc.. ' What does that have to do with the subject? is a mystery to me.
And while you may not know any of those commenters here personally. I find these words inappropriate. Or is it your intention that voices that disagree with you should be excluded? Then open your own Facebook page and block everything you don't like, then you can be the guru.
Henk Ridderhof says it right; This blog also pays attention to this and that is the advantage of a broadly oriented medium in our language.
Finally, there is no such thing as a monasty, but there is a monasticism, and then you end up with monastic life.
Thanks Tino for this educational post.
It is a shame that Bart and Louis do not understand that you have to fight for freedom and democracy and stand up against dictators who oppress the population.
As an individual you don't make much of a start, but by uniting in a good opposition with leaders who are not afraid, many dictators in the world would lose their power.
The world is waiting for a good opposition in Russia, North Korea and many other countries.
Fear or self-interest will never make the world a better place.
Danny
Where do you get that I don't understand that you have to fight for freedom and democracy?
You shouldn't put words in my mouth that I haven't said to prove your point. Just reread my response and then judge.
And yes, as I read above, everyone is free to join the protests. But most shouters don't even live in Thailand.
Dear Danny,
I actually think that Bart and Louis understand it very well, but approach it from a different angle.
If people protest in Thailand, there will be consequences. Just look at what is happening now in Paris and many other cities in France. Looting, large-scale destruction. Is that the solution?
Nowadays the opinion of the pen and keyboard has also lost much of its power.
You can live a beautiful life here in Thailand, but interfering with something and knowing better or how it can or should be done differently, the Thai will have to solve that themselves.
KhunTak,
Still someone who understands (wants to understand) what I mean - thanks for that.
I repeat once again that I have no affection for the Thai royal family. But playing the smartass by protesting in public is simply stupid.
Many Thais share this view with me. The largest part of the population has a real aversion to the royal family and the ruling power. This is sometimes discussed in my extended Thai family, but the conversations do not go beyond the kitchen door. Those people know better.
I'm not going to waste any more words on it now, I'm a bit tired of the whole discussion.
As far as I'm concerned, those who think differently are welcome to take to the streets to express their dissatisfaction. Standing here shouting on the blog is a sign of powerlessness.
If people really think that one of the real activists is reading here, you must be a big hypocrite. Then ask me how they think about supporting the protests? No, it is very easy to beat myself up, but they don't have the courage to take action themselves. I prefer to lay low and keep my personal opinions to myself. We as foreigners have no rights here.