June 7, 2008
BANGKOK - Thai politicians are using censorship in the name of HM the King to suppress criticism of themselves, according to a leading media rights watchdog.
A BBC correspondent in Bangkok as well as 29 websites have been accused of insulting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a serious offence in a nation where the monarch is revered with religious fervour.
Reporters Without Borders accused politicians of manipulating the law for their own protection while claiming that they are defending the king, according to AFP.
"The targeted websites have not insulted the monarchy, they have criticised the (opposition) Democrat Party. Political parties are using the monarchy to legitimise their activities," the group said in a statement.
"The current political situation is very delicate and the government fears a coup.
The climate of paranoia does not bode well for free expression in Thailand."
HM the King has been pulled to the centre of the nation's political turmoil over the last two years.
Reporters Without Borders said the opposition Democrat Party had filed complaints against the 29 websites, prompting the interior minister to open investigations into them.
Jonathan Head, a BBC correspondent based in Bangkok, has also been accused by a police official of insulting the king.
Among the evidence cited by the official was that Head once interviewed Thaksin -- a charge that could be levelled against most Thai and foreign media groups.
