Witch hunt threatens against people who insult the monarchy

The creation of the Rubbish Collection Organization (RCO) could lead to a witch hunt that ends in a repeat of the 1976 Thammasat University massacre.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is firing heavy guns against the organization that aims to 'exterminate' people with anti-monarchic attitudes and behavior.

Sunai Phasuk, HRW's representative in Thailand, explains the harsh language that political conflicts are now much more deeply rooted than they were in 1976. So the new "round of repression" against those disloyal to the monarchy is becoming "much more violent and deadly'.

The new organization was founded by Rientong Nan-nah, director of the General Hospital (with the military rank of major general). He denies that the RCO is an underground organization and promises that it will operate within the law, with no ties to political or commercial groups. Members of the organization are 'ordinary people' who want to track down perpetrators of lèse majesté acts, he says.

And apparently that goal is catching on, because the RCO's Facebook page already has 93.000 followers. The page is intended to share information about those accused of lèse majesté.

Sunai is not reassured. The activities of the RCO can lead to violent repression of people accused of disloyalty to the monarchy. Even the organization's name "dehumanizes" people. Sunai is shocked that the RCO is providing legal and financial support to people who take action against l-e-majestés 'out of anger'.

Sunai says Article 112 of the Penal Code (Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.) creates conflict at every level of society. He mentions the recent case of a father and mother who have filed a report against their own daughter.

(Source: bangkok mail, April 20, 2014)