Case

Case name

The fringe philosopher

Lèse-majesté

Name of persons / Name of Media

Surapot Taweesak

Status of Accused

No arrest pending investigation

Offense / order

Article 14 (3) Computer Related Crime Act, Article 112 Criminal Code

Summary

Surapot Taweesak, philosophy academic, also known by his alias as "Nak Prachaya Chai Khob (The Fringe Philosopher)", was accused by a user called "I pad" of defaming the King after giving a comment on the Prachatai article written by Somsak Jeamteerasakul. The case is still pending at the police.

Basic information

Background of accused

Assist.Prof.Surapot Taweesak is the lecturer in Buddhist studies at Rajabhat Suan Dusit University in Hua Hin campus who has regularly published his articles about Buddhism and politics in Prachatai online newspaper since 2009 under the alias ‘Nak Prachaya Chai Khob’ or ‘The fringe philosopher’.

Surapot was the first academic to attempt a nationwide survey among the sangha, or community of ordained monks and virtues of the Dhammaraachaa, Buddhist scripture, and its modern incompatibility with sustaining the lèse-majesté law.

Complainant / Plaintiff

The police came to his university and asked for his information on 6 October 2011. case was filed by a user in Prachatai website under the alias ‘ipad’ who intended to file his case at Roi-Et province which is 708 kilometres far from Hua Hin. Since the user named ‘ipad’ posted the file document into Prachatai website and ridiculed that Assist.Prof.Surapot has to travel from Hua Hin to Roi-Et for the allegation. This user also filed against other 15 persons by lèse-majesté.

Legal Claims

Offence against security, Lèse-majesté

Form of restriction on freedom

Summons
Type of media

Website / Blog
Province

Khon Kaen

Details of offence according to charge

Assist.Prof.Surapot Taweesak has been alleged for lèse-majesté by his comment in Prachatai website which is a response to an article ‘How to position the monarchy in Socio-political context in Thai society’ posted by Somsak Jeamteerasakul on 10 August 2010.

In his comment he expressed his opinion agreeing with the writer's proposal and add one more issue related to the role of Royal Institue.

Circumstance of arrest

The police came to his university and asked for his information on 6 October 2011. Then Mr.Surapot submitted the letter explaining about the allegation to the police.

Progress of case

10 August 2011, Assist.Prof.Surapot posted his comment responding an article ‘How to position the monarchy in Socio-political context in Thai society’ posted by Somsak Jeamteerasakul into Prachatai website.

6 October 2011, police came to Rajabhat Suan Dusit University, Hua Hin campus and asked for the information of Assist.Prof.Surapot. Then Assist.Prof.Surapot submitted the letter clarifying himself to police.

2 December 2011, Roi-Et provincial police released summon which is approved on 22 November 2011 for Assist.Prof.Surapot Taweesak aligned lèse-majesté.

17 February 2012, Mr.Surapot has to report himself to Pol.Col. Pattharawut Auemsasithon, the head of investigation department of Roi-Et provincial police station. The investigation process will be taken place after the summon process.

15 March 2012, Mr.Surapot and his lawyer reported himeself to the police again and submit documents proving his innocence and identifying his witnesses.

Reference

http://prachatai.com/journal/2012/02/39306

Details related to the accusser

http://prachatai.com/journal/2011/12/38257

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