absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published Jan. 19, 2009
He looked more than disturbed from behind those bars, Harry Nicolaides, the 41-year-old Greek-Australian writer who some years ago wrote a sentence he today deeply regrets. A Thai court sentenced the writer — who’s not even a writer as a quick online-search reveals — to three years in jail after pleading guilty to lèse majesté charges.
Harry had printed a few dozen copies of an obscure book and sold not even a handful of them — with the one sentence in it. On the day of his conviction he said, from behind bars: “This is an Alice in Wonderland experience. I really believe that I am going to wake up and all of you will be gone,” Nicolaides told reporters. “I would like to apologize.”
“This can’t be real. It feels like a bad dream,” he went on, choking back tears. “I respect the king of Thailand. I was aware there were obscure laws but I didn’t think they would apply to me.” During his time in jail he had endured “unspeakable suffering,” he said, but would not elaborate. Chained to a cell mate, he was shoved back to jail. Drawing once again the attention of the world’s media to a Thailand that is not that easily understood.
Harry still does not know who filed the complaint against him. Judging from other cases he can expect a royal pardon in some months — as Swiss national Oliver Jufer was granted after having been convicted to ten years in jail for an alcohol intoxication that led to some actions he later deeply regretted as well. Nevertheless there is a new angst in the kingdom. I just got an email from a regular reader:
Fearing that vague words could be misconstrued and people posting on websites could have their IP addresses farmed by Thailand’s relevant authorities.
IP aranoia.
As a rule of thumb we always thought that laws were applied more laxly under a Democrat-led government. Not any longer. But why worry. The rules are as clear as alphabet soup.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Thais will make sure this always is and will be the Land of the Free.
While this is and remains a purely Thai affair — as much as Thai politics remain a purely internal Thai affair. In the West you can become a leading politician even as an immigrant. You may be born in another country with foreign parents but still become a fully naturalized citizen. Not here. Even if you get the Thai passport. Imagine a luk krueng politician. Am not aware of any.
I’m nevertheless astonished — doesn’t the honorable Bangkok Post moderate comments?
Addendum:
The Post’s comments are taken down as of the day after)
Photos via daylife
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