Joe Gordon was a fool to have made links to TKNS and to have criticized the monarchy and then have the audacity to return to Thailand knowing the law. What was he thinking? And no, he shouldn’t be treated like an average US citizen. He’s not one, thus his treatment by the Thai government. And what is “dual nationality” anyway? Thai when it’s convenient? American when it’s convenient? I’m a US citizen and I don’t look at this guy as a full fledged American. Sorry.
Judgement is based on context, and this context is not forgiving for Joe Gordon.
As an American I could move back and write all I want about the King of Thailand and my website would be blocked and I would certainly never attempt to visit Thailand. Common sense.
Lots of naivete on this board.
One thing I’ve seen firsthand here is how ruthless Thais are with their own. Absolutely ruthless. Joe Gordon should have known this.
To those that have identified why Malaysia cannot follow Singapore in combating corruption, can you provide suggestions on how the Malaysia government can actually do something to combat corruption?
Is there something that Malaysians can do too?
OR should Malaysians just accept their predicament, that they are indeed a corrupt society and make the best out of it, as some Malaysians still do?
billyd – 112
Why don’t critics focus on the military, the Privy Council, the bureaucracy etc
Last year, a red shirt lady from Korat got jail term for 5 years (or 3 I dont remember the exact number) on lese majeste charge for burning a coffin with a tag “р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ…………р╕Юр╕е р╕н р╣Ар╕Ыр╕гр╕б р╕Хр╕┤р╕Ур╕кр╕╣р╕ер╕▓р╕Щр╕Щр╕Чр╣М” (roughtly translate “your highest …………… Gen Prem Tilasulanon).
The court somehow interpred that the word р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣Мр╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ was mean for the king. This is the example where your idea might not work exactly like what you siad. Like I’ve said earlier, you have to logic about the article 112 reversed and I think you have greatly misunderestimate the application of the law.
What I find more rediculous is that you suggest people to go and have some sort of protest on the “mother day”, well guess what, Sombat Bunngamanong of the Red Sunda did, infact, tried to have a talk show on the 5th Dec last year. Guess what happened, he got a death threat and was threaten with 112.
So, let me ask, how on earth should we have a “symbolic” protest when they have 112 around?
Seh Fah: “One more question for both Ajarn Khamphuan and Khun Ralph. If you were arrested by the Thai police for LM, what would you expect your embassy to do for you?”
I’d hope that they ignored the kind of advice you give and got loud and aggressive, drawing as much international attention as possible to the case.
billyrd: almost everything you mention has been part of campaigns in recent years. And there has been lots of lateral protest thinking – consider, as one example, Sombat’s activities. The attention to LM is just one element of a very broad and, at times, very innovative campaign by red shirts and others.
To add to the last point of “Killer” – In Malaysia, a lot of rules are vague and leaves too much to the discretion of the “officers” and “Pengarahs” This is a surefire recipe for corruption. There is also very little consequence for wrong doings – mainly due to the NEP / ketuanan policy
I have worked in SG for many years so I am familiar with Lion City.
1. As TI index indicates there is a vast gulf between MY and SG in terms of corruption. This is indeed true and something that I can accept based on my own experience.
2. However the level of corruption is under-reported in Singapore due to the tight media control and the usage of other subtler means to achieve the same aims. The kind of control that SG govt exerts on the media is unparalleled. Even the online media is relatively tame though they have been gaining strength recently. In most cases the govt critics do not have information on govt affairs as most of it is strictly controlled and distributed.
– For example the way government projects are awarded and outsourced are often shrouded in secrecy. Often these contracts are given to PAP supporters. No doubt they have the open tender system but the fact is not all projects are given out through this system or really “open”.
– Many (or even most) of the GLCs are headed PAP loyalists/cronies. The financial results of GLC are not reported. For example the head of Temasek is the PM’s wife. PAP has a system where they identify suitable candidates for the party even at the undergrad level to be groomed to be future leaders. In Singapore there is absolutely no difference between PAP and the government. You might make the same accusations about BN and MY govt, but the scale in Singapore is on another level.
3. I think there are things that Malaysia can certainly learn from Singapore and some of these lessons certainly can be applied without much modifications. One, is the pay for government servants. The high pay certainly deters corruption at the same time attracts the best talents. The other is the strong political will to stamp out corruption that started with LKY.
4. However while we share many similarities, there are significant differences. Some of these already covered by rockjianrock so I cover other points.
– PAP has total control and even within the party the PM has absolute power. As such, there is less need for PAP to practice patronage politics other than at higher levels. This is the same as with countries such as Korea, Taiwan and even Japan.
– Singapore is a republic so the central govt has full control on all aspects of the administration of the country. In MY much of the corruption is at the local govt level where the little Napoleans under the state and local govts run wild.
– Singapore do not need policies like the NEP due to its social economic situation and demographics. In MY the NEP has been a major source for corruption since it can easily be abused.
I’ve got to say I find this obsession with 112 a little tiresome. People act as if there’s no legitimate space for dissent in Thailand which is absolutely not true. With just a little bit of imagination and hard work there’s all kinds of critiques of power that could be made which could threaten the system, and which wouldn’t violate 112. Why don’t critics focus on the military, the Privy Council, the bureaucracy etc… if you can’t attack the centre, then go for the flanks – they’re all horribly exposed and yet no-one seems to ever even attempt to land a blow. The bureacracy is full of minor royals, and exposing some of the rampant corruption of these folk would inevitably reflect on the integrity/credibility of the royal institution itself.
Or what about some lateral thinking – more symbolic action. Why did the Reds (or whoever is now currently opposed to the ‘amaat’) not use recent ‘Mother’s Day’ to make some kind of symbolic protest against she who they think is the source of their problems. Turning ‘Mother’s Day’ into a memorial day for the departed Reds would have been a powerful statement. I guess my point is there are all kids of ways around 112 and all manner of available space for dissent with just a little thought.
Billy Budd (61). I’m quite prepared to defend my assertion that dominance hierarchies like the one that afflicts Thailand are very clearly evident in many species of social animals, though necessarily on a smaller scale. But I agree with your historical approach as well. The founding fathers of the United States were the first to devise a system in which people could, if they liked, largely free themselves from the power hierarchies of their European past. The rise of the corporation has shown how few people really want that freedom. But corporations can be dissolved according to accepted rules without bloodshed (they can go broke). The most pernicious dominance hierarchies are those that threaten bloodshed if their power is challenged by popular vote.
Really got me? Not quite! According to the Macquarie dictionary, Bluey is a nickname for a red-headed person.
Perhaps it’s just jealousy at my cute nickname, so here’s one for you: Khun Khamphuan. Sorry, let’s make that Ajarn Khamphuan. And no, it’s in no way disrespectful. Quite the opposite. Ask your Thai friends.
Ralph Kramden #119
Thanks for bringing us back on line. The unfortunate fact is that in Thailand both the powers that were and the powers that be regard the monarchy as a cornerstone of national security and will do whatever it takes to protect it from rational scrutiny. As far as I know, not one Thai MP has expressed any support for changing the LM legislation, which also appears to be a matter of little concern to any other country with the clout to encourage a change in policy.
I sincerely believe that the Swiss and Australian approach when one of their citizens is arrested on LM charges is the only feasible option. The US embassy appears to agree, and I would like to believe that discrete negotiations are under way, but the Joe Gordon case is complicated by the issue of dual nationality and the requirement to diplomats to show some respect for the laws of the sovereign country to which they are accredited. I do applaud the efforts of more principled groups to apply pressure for change.
One more question for both Ajarn Khamphuan and Khun Ralph. If you were arrested by the Thai police for LM, what would you expect your embassy to do for you?
So we have our petition from academics to PM Yingluck and Andrew Spooner has called for a campaign.
Today I was sent an email with the words:
“But this movement does more than sign petitions: many of you stood strong in front of the White House risking arrest, and protesters on every continent have picketed outside embassies and consulates. That makes sense, for global warming is the one problem that affects everyone everywhere.”
It came from 350.org and if it is good enough for them to “have picketed outside (USA) embassies and consulates” why not do the same over Joe & 112?
I sent a comment along these lines with some details to NM last week, but it was not approved.
Many thanks for your observations. I do accept that the red shirts were spawned by Thaksin, but by the time of the recent election, they really were a popular movement, and by no means mere pawns.
Also bear in mind that the red shirts are a broad church now. Of course Isaan is the the bedrock of their support, but it’s often overlooked, or conveniently ignored, that they have considerable support amongst the Bangkok middle and upper classes.
Whilst the so called “rural and urban poor” see the Shinawatras as the best hope for a better life, the middle/upper class supporters see the red shirts/UDD as a catalyst for disposing of Thailand’s semi feudal trappings, corruption and injustice, and bringing about a transformation into a more democratic and modern nation. I’ve spoken to many individuals from both of these backgrounds, and am confident that this is an accurate observation.
The tension you highlight between the red shirts and the Shinawatras may be more evident within the latter group, and some of the red shirt leadership, who have a very different background, and values, than the Shinawatras. Isaan is still solidly behind the Shinawatras, however .
Burmese pair retract crimes claim
Speaking exclusively to Northside Chronicle, both have now revealed they did not commit the crimes, but saw the revelations as the only way to be heard by the ICC…..
Well according to Wikileaks things are very much different to what is being openly admitted to by both Singapore and Malaysia. Gossip, conjecture, analysis, allegations of political chicanery, corruption – they’re all in the latest downloads….The latest flock of US diplomatic cables made available by the WikiLeaks Web site is setting off firecrackers all over Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. A total of 251,000 cables were released by WikiLeaks from diplomatic missions across the world last week, this time with no names removed to hide the identities of the confidential sources used by US embassies. The cables can be found at http://www.wikileaks.org.
I wish the Laos government is to close down all the Casino in the laos country. Casino is the evil, money is evil. People are not trusted, people are evil. Let the Chinesse find somewhere else to gamble, but leave Laos alone.
In your review, I couldn’t shake the sense that the ghost of Benedict Anderson was looming about to be dispelled –but you neither invoked him nor warded him away. Anderson’s comparison of “Indochina” to “Indonesia” (as a study in Nationalism) will go down as one of the great canards of latter-day Marxism.
To depart from Reid’s work in specific, I think it is sad that so many theorists want to engage in “narrations of generalities” of this kind (be it Reid’s kind or Benedict Anderson’s kind). Comparative claims about Chinese vs. Southeast Asian civilization are easily made; actual studies of the law and bureaucracy under feudalism (in any one state or province) are hard, and tend to transform the attitudes of the scholars who undertake them. Studies of bureaucracy (and hands-on political reality) under local forms of Communism, or any other period of post-imperial “state making”, are difficult in different ways –with the ideologies of the westerners themselves being prime among the difficulties.
In terms of the transition from feudalism to “modern” bureaucracy, again, the shift from soaring generalizations to studies of the concrete particular bring about a different attitude amongst the scholars themselves. It is easy to say with a stroke of the pen that the Thais abolished slavery, or that the Vietnamese abolished an entire (feudal) system of courts of law, in response to European “influence”; but if you actually study how farm-labor was done in Thailand, or how the courts in Vietnam handled business, in this period of transition, you don’t find any hooks to hang grandiose abstractions upon.
I shudder to think that James C. Scott is now luring Southeast Asian studies back into another decade of grandiose abstractions. To some extent, scholars trying to be political (or to seem “radical”) are themselves grasping at generalizations to fill the void left by the collapse of Communism (and Marxist debates) –much as James Scott himself has been, in my opinion.
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FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Joe Gordon was a fool to have made links to TKNS and to have criticized the monarchy and then have the audacity to return to Thailand knowing the law. What was he thinking? And no, he shouldn’t be treated like an average US citizen. He’s not one, thus his treatment by the Thai government. And what is “dual nationality” anyway? Thai when it’s convenient? American when it’s convenient? I’m a US citizen and I don’t look at this guy as a full fledged American. Sorry.
Judgement is based on context, and this context is not forgiving for Joe Gordon.
As an American I could move back and write all I want about the King of Thailand and my website would be blocked and I would certainly never attempt to visit Thailand. Common sense.
Lots of naivete on this board.
One thing I’ve seen firsthand here is how ruthless Thais are with their own. Absolutely ruthless. Joe Gordon should have known this.
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
To those that have identified why Malaysia cannot follow Singapore in combating corruption, can you provide suggestions on how the Malaysia government can actually do something to combat corruption?
Is there something that Malaysians can do too?
OR should Malaysians just accept their predicament, that they are indeed a corrupt society and make the best out of it, as some Malaysians still do?
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
billyd – 112
Why don’t critics focus on the military, the Privy Council, the bureaucracy etc
Last year, a red shirt lady from Korat got jail term for 5 years (or 3 I dont remember the exact number) on lese majeste charge for burning a coffin with a tag “р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ…………р╕Юр╕е р╕н р╣Ар╕Ыр╕гр╕б р╕Хр╕┤р╕Ур╕кр╕╣р╕ер╕▓р╕Щр╕Щр╕Чр╣М” (roughtly translate “your highest …………… Gen Prem Tilasulanon).
The court somehow interpred that the word р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣Мр╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ was mean for the king. This is the example where your idea might not work exactly like what you siad. Like I’ve said earlier, you have to logic about the article 112 reversed and I think you have greatly misunderestimate the application of the law.
What I find more rediculous is that you suggest people to go and have some sort of protest on the “mother day”, well guess what, Sombat Bunngamanong of the Red Sunda did, infact, tried to have a talk show on the 5th Dec last year. Guess what happened, he got a death threat and was threaten with 112.
So, let me ask, how on earth should we have a “symbolic” protest when they have 112 around?
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Seh Fah: “One more question for both Ajarn Khamphuan and Khun Ralph. If you were arrested by the Thai police for LM, what would you expect your embassy to do for you?”
I’d hope that they ignored the kind of advice you give and got loud and aggressive, drawing as much international attention as possible to the case.
billyrd: almost everything you mention has been part of campaigns in recent years. And there has been lots of lateral protest thinking – consider, as one example, Sombat’s activities. The attention to LM is just one element of a very broad and, at times, very innovative campaign by red shirts and others.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Billyd: By all means be creative & symbolic in your dissent, but don’t you find it a little tiresome that people are still being locked up for LM?
Don’t you find the self censorship, and lack of the ability to call a spade a spade, a little tiresome?
Don’t you find groups like Social Sanction (SS) a little tiresome?
Prachatai trial update
I have added FACT’s latest update on the trial. AW
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
To add to the last point of “Killer” – In Malaysia, a lot of rules are vague and leaves too much to the discretion of the “officers” and “Pengarahs” This is a surefire recipe for corruption. There is also very little consequence for wrong doings – mainly due to the NEP / ketuanan policy
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
I have worked in SG for many years so I am familiar with Lion City.
1. As TI index indicates there is a vast gulf between MY and SG in terms of corruption. This is indeed true and something that I can accept based on my own experience.
2. However the level of corruption is under-reported in Singapore due to the tight media control and the usage of other subtler means to achieve the same aims. The kind of control that SG govt exerts on the media is unparalleled. Even the online media is relatively tame though they have been gaining strength recently. In most cases the govt critics do not have information on govt affairs as most of it is strictly controlled and distributed.
– For example the way government projects are awarded and outsourced are often shrouded in secrecy. Often these contracts are given to PAP supporters. No doubt they have the open tender system but the fact is not all projects are given out through this system or really “open”.
– Many (or even most) of the GLCs are headed PAP loyalists/cronies. The financial results of GLC are not reported. For example the head of Temasek is the PM’s wife. PAP has a system where they identify suitable candidates for the party even at the undergrad level to be groomed to be future leaders. In Singapore there is absolutely no difference between PAP and the government. You might make the same accusations about BN and MY govt, but the scale in Singapore is on another level.
3. I think there are things that Malaysia can certainly learn from Singapore and some of these lessons certainly can be applied without much modifications. One, is the pay for government servants. The high pay certainly deters corruption at the same time attracts the best talents. The other is the strong political will to stamp out corruption that started with LKY.
4. However while we share many similarities, there are significant differences. Some of these already covered by rockjianrock so I cover other points.
– PAP has total control and even within the party the PM has absolute power. As such, there is less need for PAP to practice patronage politics other than at higher levels. This is the same as with countries such as Korea, Taiwan and even Japan.
– Singapore is a republic so the central govt has full control on all aspects of the administration of the country. In MY much of the corruption is at the local govt level where the little Napoleans under the state and local govts run wild.
– Singapore do not need policies like the NEP due to its social economic situation and demographics. In MY the NEP has been a major source for corruption since it can easily be abused.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
I’ve got to say I find this obsession with 112 a little tiresome. People act as if there’s no legitimate space for dissent in Thailand which is absolutely not true. With just a little bit of imagination and hard work there’s all kinds of critiques of power that could be made which could threaten the system, and which wouldn’t violate 112. Why don’t critics focus on the military, the Privy Council, the bureaucracy etc… if you can’t attack the centre, then go for the flanks – they’re all horribly exposed and yet no-one seems to ever even attempt to land a blow. The bureacracy is full of minor royals, and exposing some of the rampant corruption of these folk would inevitably reflect on the integrity/credibility of the royal institution itself.
Or what about some lateral thinking – more symbolic action. Why did the Reds (or whoever is now currently opposed to the ‘amaat’) not use recent ‘Mother’s Day’ to make some kind of symbolic protest against she who they think is the source of their problems. Turning ‘Mother’s Day’ into a memorial day for the departed Reds would have been a powerful statement. I guess my point is there are all kids of ways around 112 and all manner of available space for dissent with just a little thought.
Amsterdam on Thailand’s dual state
Billy Budd (61). I’m quite prepared to defend my assertion that dominance hierarchies like the one that afflicts Thailand are very clearly evident in many species of social animals, though necessarily on a smaller scale. But I agree with your historical approach as well. The founding fathers of the United States were the first to devise a system in which people could, if they liked, largely free themselves from the power hierarchies of their European past. The rise of the corporation has shown how few people really want that freedom. But corporations can be dissolved according to accepted rules without bloodshed (they can go broke). The most pernicious dominance hierarchies are those that threaten bloodshed if their power is challenged by popular vote.
Thai royal and the Magic Castle
Billy Budd #15
Sorry, comrade, can’t help you on that one. My contacts with ISOC date back to when it was still CSOC.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Andrew Spoonerism #118
Really got me? Not quite! According to the Macquarie dictionary, Bluey is a nickname for a red-headed person.
Perhaps it’s just jealousy at my cute nickname, so here’s one for you: Khun Khamphuan. Sorry, let’s make that Ajarn Khamphuan. And no, it’s in no way disrespectful. Quite the opposite. Ask your Thai friends.
Ralph Kramden #119
Thanks for bringing us back on line. The unfortunate fact is that in Thailand both the powers that were and the powers that be regard the monarchy as a cornerstone of national security and will do whatever it takes to protect it from rational scrutiny. As far as I know, not one Thai MP has expressed any support for changing the LM legislation, which also appears to be a matter of little concern to any other country with the clout to encourage a change in policy.
I sincerely believe that the Swiss and Australian approach when one of their citizens is arrested on LM charges is the only feasible option. The US embassy appears to agree, and I would like to believe that discrete negotiations are under way, but the Joe Gordon case is complicated by the issue of dual nationality and the requirement to diplomats to show some respect for the laws of the sovereign country to which they are accredited. I do applaud the efforts of more principled groups to apply pressure for change.
One more question for both Ajarn Khamphuan and Khun Ralph. If you were arrested by the Thai police for LM, what would you expect your embassy to do for you?
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
And meanwhile Joe rots in jail…. says Ralph.
So we have our petition from academics to PM Yingluck and Andrew Spooner has called for a campaign.
Today I was sent an email with the words:
“But this movement does more than sign petitions: many of you stood strong in front of the White House risking arrest, and protesters on every continent have picketed outside embassies and consulates. That makes sense, for global warming is the one problem that affects everyone everywhere.”
It came from 350.org and if it is good enough for them to “have picketed outside (USA) embassies and consulates” why not do the same over Joe & 112?
I sent a comment along these lines with some details to NM last week, but it was not approved.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
And meanwhile Joe rots in jail….
Open letter to Yingluck on lese majeste
Stuart – 23
Many thanks for your observations. I do accept that the red shirts were spawned by Thaksin, but by the time of the recent election, they really were a popular movement, and by no means mere pawns.
Also bear in mind that the red shirts are a broad church now. Of course Isaan is the the bedrock of their support, but it’s often overlooked, or conveniently ignored, that they have considerable support amongst the Bangkok middle and upper classes.
Whilst the so called “rural and urban poor” see the Shinawatras as the best hope for a better life, the middle/upper class supporters see the red shirts/UDD as a catalyst for disposing of Thailand’s semi feudal trappings, corruption and injustice, and bringing about a transformation into a more democratic and modern nation. I’ve spoken to many individuals from both of these backgrounds, and am confident that this is an accurate observation.
The tension you highlight between the red shirts and the Shinawatras may be more evident within the latter group, and some of the red shirt leadership, who have a very different background, and values, than the Shinawatras. Isaan is still solidly behind the Shinawatras, however .
The next few months will be very interesting!
Htoo Htoo Han the confessor
Burmese pair retract crimes claim
Speaking exclusively to Northside Chronicle, both have now revealed they did not commit the crimes, but saw the revelations as the only way to be heard by the ICC…..
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/north/burmese-pair-retract-war-crimes-claim-burma-junta-executions-un-icc/story-fn8m0rl4-1226130658704
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
Well according to Wikileaks things are very much different to what is being openly admitted to by both Singapore and Malaysia. Gossip, conjecture, analysis, allegations of political chicanery, corruption – they’re all in the latest downloads….The latest flock of US diplomatic cables made available by the WikiLeaks Web site is setting off firecrackers all over Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. A total of 251,000 cables were released by WikiLeaks from diplomatic missions across the world last week, this time with no names removed to hide the identities of the confidential sources used by US embassies. The cables can be found at http://www.wikileaks.org.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/64180/wikileaks-asian-field-day/
Fig_1_Dwyer
I wish the Laos government is to close down all the Casino in the laos country. Casino is the evil, money is evil. People are not trusted, people are evil. Let the Chinesse find somewhere else to gamble, but leave Laos alone.
Review of Imperial Alchemy
Grant…
In your review, I couldn’t shake the sense that the ghost of Benedict Anderson was looming about to be dispelled –but you neither invoked him nor warded him away. Anderson’s comparison of “Indochina” to “Indonesia” (as a study in Nationalism) will go down as one of the great canards of latter-day Marxism.
To depart from Reid’s work in specific, I think it is sad that so many theorists want to engage in “narrations of generalities” of this kind (be it Reid’s kind or Benedict Anderson’s kind). Comparative claims about Chinese vs. Southeast Asian civilization are easily made; actual studies of the law and bureaucracy under feudalism (in any one state or province) are hard, and tend to transform the attitudes of the scholars who undertake them. Studies of bureaucracy (and hands-on political reality) under local forms of Communism, or any other period of post-imperial “state making”, are difficult in different ways –with the ideologies of the westerners themselves being prime among the difficulties.
In terms of the transition from feudalism to “modern” bureaucracy, again, the shift from soaring generalizations to studies of the concrete particular bring about a different attitude amongst the scholars themselves. It is easy to say with a stroke of the pen that the Thais abolished slavery, or that the Vietnamese abolished an entire (feudal) system of courts of law, in response to European “influence”; but if you actually study how farm-labor was done in Thailand, or how the courts in Vietnam handled business, in this period of transition, you don’t find any hooks to hang grandiose abstractions upon.
I shudder to think that James C. Scott is now luring Southeast Asian studies back into another decade of grandiose abstractions. To some extent, scholars trying to be political (or to seem “radical”) are themselves grasping at generalizations to fill the void left by the collapse of Communism (and Marxist debates) –much as James Scott himself has been, in my opinion.
Open letter to Yingluck on lese majeste
Thailand’s latest Lese Majeste case is featured in the Daily Outrage section of San Francisco Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/daily-outrage/2011/09/felonious-man-could-serve-15-years-defaming-thailand-s-king