I doubt the palace would pardon the man(Jufer case).
To my understanding, to pardon him would prove the palace discrimination in carrying out the sentence. Would a drunken Thai man in the same case been pardon otherwise? Second, it would set a standard that person can claim *unable to think rationalely* or *unknown of local law* from complying with any Thai law. But I do not know the detail of the case, he might have confessed that he was not that drunk and know of lese majest law in Thailand.
The case should not have been push to court in the first place. Now, only option seem to extradite him to Swiss jail and get an appeal. Or speed up the appeal in Thailand now to reverse the sentence. Either way, his defence lawyer seem to suck at his job.
Similar to Thai, there are many Singaporeans who think differently.
There are Singaporeans who read Straits Times and believe in the propaganda too.
It is indeed a tragedy, not only because of the reliance on garbage broadsheet, but also because of the people who read them as if they are the biblical truth.
It is depressing to see intelligent, well-educated people refusing to analysis information from media and their environment to reach their own conclusion.
It might be possible that Jufer can get out if there’s a pardon from the king. That might be the strategy the swiss authority is pursuing. The way it looks, the case was set in motion by the local authority, so from the palace’s point of view, it may be best to make an example of this guy, and then pardon him later. The king and the older royal family surely must have fond memory of their time in switzerland, so maybe the swiss govt. can help with the appeal on that basis?
If they’re really serious about the jail term, well, they risk creating a poster child of oppression. It will just be a liability for them.. But I don’t know if we can’t really count on them to be a rational actor these days.
I doubt there will be public call by the Swiss, or at least at the moment. The Swiss don’t want to hurt their interests in Thailand. They won’t call it an intervention, just assisting a Swiss National to apply for a pardon.
I already said there might not be a Swiss concern. So what’s new BP?
It would seem we cannot comment on blogger Jotman’s blog, Jotman. The western media doesn’t report 95% of the news going on in Burma. Anyone interested in the going’s on in Burma would be foolish to try to stay informed via western media, although the IHT does a decent job of covering the big stories. Thanks to the internet though, there are a plethora of foreign based Burmese media sources. Narinjara News (narinjara.com) covers Arakan State, so they report all this wheeling and dealing over the oil.
Russia has had a long relationship with Burma, bartering military training, weapons, and uranium for Burma’s resources. Incidentally, Ukraine has as well, although I haven’t seen them investing in the oil and gas yet.
Can Lee’s degree be revoked,even if the rules have not been followed?
Can a non-honorary degree be revoked if certain procedures are not followed,even though the degree was awarded at a graduation ceremony?
What does the ANU Act say about all this?
Trust me, Thai society is as diverse as other living societies. A good size of enlightened Thais are aware of the fact that the coup has little* to do with Singaporeans, let alone Shin Corp/Temasek business deal. ‘Many Thais’ who view Singapore as a neo-colonial power are Thais who read BKK Post, Nation, Matichon, Manager, Krungthep Turakit, Thai Post, Kom Chad Luek, Thai Rath, Daily News, etc. etc. daily. It’s a tragedy that international community still relies on these garbage broadsheets.
“I am not sure about your legal argument re Supinya. A decision is a decision, no? As for the interim constitution, see section 3.”
Yes, but there is no express freedom of expression in the Constitution. Yes, a decision is a decision, but if the constitutional provision is no longer there then the case is no longer binding – actually this shouldn’t matter as the offence happened when the 1997 Constitution was still in existence, but well Thai judges don’t care about such things.
“A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry has indicated there won’t be a diplomatic intervention on the case.”
I doubt there will be public call by the Swiss, or at least at the moment. The Swiss don’t want to hurt their interests in Thailand. They won’t call it an intervention, just assisting a Swiss National to apply for a pardon.
[…] of Southeast Asian logging is a confident move.┬ On the ground -┬ as even a small selection of relevant New Mandala posts make clear -┬ it is not as easy (or as clear) as some politicians might lead us […]
[…] November 2006 I wrote, somewhat skeptically, of a proposal to increase Burma’s GDP by paying┬ that country to┬ stop cutting down trees.┬ Such schemes […]
I do understand it would be harder for the Thai observers to see it the way I do. However, I cannot force them to change their opinions the way I like it. I can only hope that when they get in touch with more Singaporeans, they will realise not all Singaporeans behave like Singapore Govt or approve of their actions.
‘Normally, such petitions can take years to work their way through the system, but things might quicken up if there is “international concern”. I wonder what is happening through the diplomatic back channels.’
The international concern might not be a Swiss concern. A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry has indicated there won’t be a diplomatic intervention on the case. See a report in ‘Manager’.
AN: To me, your position is sensible, and so I have no problem with it. However, I am a European. To many Thai observers, all this might be a lot more on the emotional side.
As you can see from my post above, I believe everyone has the freedom of speech.
I said that only to emphasis to Jack that Singaporeans have to right to discuss about Singapore even if it is not deem constructive by him, especially since we are directly impacted by the policies implemented in the state.
As for Thai’s view of Singapore, I can understand. I am sure Singapore govt would not sell Singtel to foreign company. However, I hope you, as well as other Thais, can understand that is a decision made by the ruling party. Most Singaporeans I know do not support their move either.
I hope Singapore Govt selfish actions do not cause disharmony between people in both countries. Just as Thaskin do not represent all Thai people, LKY, his son and/or his daugher-in-law does not represent all Singaporeans.
[…] those New Mandala readers who have expressed an interest in the murals at the Dai-Jingpo cultural park in Jie Gao, just outside Ruili, Yunnan, I have now┬ posted more examples of the artwork.┬ Viewed in […]
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Thailand’s climate of repression
I doubt the palace would pardon the man(Jufer case).
To my understanding, to pardon him would prove the palace discrimination in carrying out the sentence. Would a drunken Thai man in the same case been pardon otherwise? Second, it would set a standard that person can claim *unable to think rationalely* or *unknown of local law* from complying with any Thai law. But I do not know the detail of the case, he might have confessed that he was not that drunk and know of lese majest law in Thailand.
The case should not have been push to court in the first place. Now, only option seem to extradite him to Swiss jail and get an appeal. Or speed up the appeal in Thailand now to reverse the sentence. Either way, his defence lawyer seem to suck at his job.
Blog: Lao Food
ANU honours Lee Kuan Yew. Why?
Sawarin,
Similar to Thai, there are many Singaporeans who think differently.
There are Singaporeans who read Straits Times and believe in the propaganda too.
It is indeed a tragedy, not only because of the reliance on garbage broadsheet, but also because of the people who read them as if they are the biblical truth.
It is depressing to see intelligent, well-educated people refusing to analysis information from media and their environment to reach their own conclusion.
Australia protecting Southeast Asia’s trees?
If they don’t do anything with the demand for wood, this will mean that trees elsewhere will be cut down instead.
Thailand’s climate of repression
What would have been Sondhi’s reaction to the court ruling if Thaksin was still in power?
Thailand’s climate of repression
if they didn’t get him out.. it will be quite sad. At this age, and given the condition in Thai prison, he likely will die in jail.
Thailand’s climate of repression
It might be possible that Jufer can get out if there’s a pardon from the king. That might be the strategy the swiss authority is pursuing. The way it looks, the case was set in motion by the local authority, so from the palace’s point of view, it may be best to make an example of this guy, and then pardon him later. The king and the older royal family surely must have fond memory of their time in switzerland, so maybe the swiss govt. can help with the appeal on that basis?
If they’re really serious about the jail term, well, they risk creating a poster child of oppression. It will just be a liability for them.. But I don’t know if we can’t really count on them to be a rational actor these days.
Thailand’s climate of repression
I doubt there will be public call by the Swiss, or at least at the moment. The Swiss don’t want to hurt their interests in Thailand. They won’t call it an intervention, just assisting a Swiss National to apply for a pardon.
I already said there might not be a Swiss concern. So what’s new BP?
The Economist on Burma’s pipeline possibilities
It would seem we cannot comment on blogger Jotman’s blog, Jotman. The western media doesn’t report 95% of the news going on in Burma. Anyone interested in the going’s on in Burma would be foolish to try to stay informed via western media, although the IHT does a decent job of covering the big stories. Thanks to the internet though, there are a plethora of foreign based Burmese media sources. Narinjara News (narinjara.com) covers Arakan State, so they report all this wheeling and dealing over the oil.
Russia has had a long relationship with Burma, bartering military training, weapons, and uranium for Burma’s resources. Incidentally, Ukraine has as well, although I haven’t seen them investing in the oil and gas yet.
Lee’s degree broke ANU rules
Can Lee’s degree be revoked,even if the rules have not been followed?
Can a non-honorary degree be revoked if certain procedures are not followed,even though the degree was awarded at a graduation ceremony?
What does the ANU Act say about all this?
ANU honours Lee Kuan Yew. Why?
AN:
Trust me, Thai society is as diverse as other living societies. A good size of enlightened Thais are aware of the fact that the coup has little* to do with Singaporeans, let alone Shin Corp/Temasek business deal. ‘Many Thais’ who view Singapore as a neo-colonial power are Thais who read BKK Post, Nation, Matichon, Manager, Krungthep Turakit, Thai Post, Kom Chad Luek, Thai Rath, Daily News, etc. etc. daily. It’s a tragedy that international community still relies on these garbage broadsheets.
Thailand’s climate of repression
“I am not sure about your legal argument re Supinya. A decision is a decision, no? As for the interim constitution, see section 3.”
Yes, but there is no express freedom of expression in the Constitution. Yes, a decision is a decision, but if the constitutional provision is no longer there then the case is no longer binding – actually this shouldn’t matter as the offence happened when the 1997 Constitution was still in existence, but well Thai judges don’t care about such things.
“A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry has indicated there won’t be a diplomatic intervention on the case.”
I doubt there will be public call by the Swiss, or at least at the moment. The Swiss don’t want to hurt their interests in Thailand. They won’t call it an intervention, just assisting a Swiss National to apply for a pardon.
Diversity economy
[…] of Southeast Asian logging is a confident move.┬ On the ground -┬ as even a small selection of relevant New Mandala posts make clear -┬ it is not as easy (or as clear) as some politicians might lead us […]
Carbon trading up Burmese GDP?
[…] November 2006 I wrote, somewhat skeptically, of a proposal to increase Burma’s GDP by paying┬ that country to┬ stop cutting down trees.┬ Such schemes […]
ANU honours Lee Kuan Yew. Why?
Srithanonchai,
I do understand it would be harder for the Thai observers to see it the way I do. However, I cannot force them to change their opinions the way I like it. I can only hope that when they get in touch with more Singaporeans, they will realise not all Singaporeans behave like Singapore Govt or approve of their actions.
Thailand’s climate of repression
Bangkok Pundit:
‘Normally, such petitions can take years to work their way through the system, but things might quicken up if there is “international concern”. I wonder what is happening through the diplomatic back channels.’
The international concern might not be a Swiss concern. A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry has indicated there won’t be a diplomatic intervention on the case. See a report in ‘Manager’.
ANU honours Lee Kuan Yew. Why?
AN: To me, your position is sensible, and so I have no problem with it. However, I am a European. To many Thai observers, all this might be a lot more on the emotional side.
ANU honours Lee Kuan Yew. Why?
Srithanonchai,
As you can see from my post above, I believe everyone has the freedom of speech.
I said that only to emphasis to Jack that Singaporeans have to right to discuss about Singapore even if it is not deem constructive by him, especially since we are directly impacted by the policies implemented in the state.
As for Thai’s view of Singapore, I can understand. I am sure Singapore govt would not sell Singtel to foreign company. However, I hope you, as well as other Thais, can understand that is a decision made by the ruling party. Most Singaporeans I know do not support their move either.
I hope Singapore Govt selfish actions do not cause disharmony between people in both countries. Just as Thaskin do not represent all Thai people, LKY, his son and/or his daugher-in-law does not represent all Singaporeans.
Thailand’s climate of repression
Election date set–end of repression?
Surayud: Election to be held on either Dec16 or Dec 23
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thursday that national elections would be held on either December 16 or 23.
“It will be either December 16 or 23, and the mechanism will be ready, including the constitution,” he said.
“The referendum on a new constitution will be held no later than September,” he added.
Agence France Presse
TN,. March 29, 2007
Murals at Dai-Jingpo cultural park
[…] those New Mandala readers who have expressed an interest in the murals at the Dai-Jingpo cultural park in Jie Gao, just outside Ruili, Yunnan, I have now┬ posted more examples of the artwork.┬ Viewed in […]