BangkokPost-Feb 10
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has suggested the 15-year maximum jail term for lese majeste be cut, a comment that appears to contradict his earlier view of the law being “problem-free”. His latest remark was posted on the Facebook account of the CARE group comprising veteran politicians with ties to the fugitive premier and the main opposition Pheu Thai Party. Thaksin, who said last week there was no problem with the lese majeste law, says the 15-year maximum jail sentence for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code is too harsh. The law must be amended to lower the punishment as a matter of urgency. Thaksin, who fled the country before his conviction by the Supreme Court in the Ratchadaphisek land case in 2008, stressed the issue has to do with ensuring justice. He admitted he may have not been clear enough regarding his previous comments about Section 112. He also said he should have elaborated more about who is entitled to file a lese majeste complaint with the police. Currently, the law permits anyone to do so, whereas in the past a specific committee was put to work on receiving a complaint before deciding whether it should be investigated. Now, police have to accept every complaint for investigation. Some complaints have no merit and should not be admitted. Read more at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2213195/thaksin-wants-lese-majeste-penalty-cut
