Jonathan Head, the BBC and Charges of Lese Majeste

BBC reporter accused of lese majeste


WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM


Bangkok Post


A police officer who accused PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair of offending the monarchy yesterday lodged a fresh complaint against a BBC reporter for alleged lese majeste. In his complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) yesterday, Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak Mungkitkandi, of Bang Mod station, accused Jonathan Head of posting inappropriate photos on www.bbcnews.com.

Mr Head, who was named as the producer of the website, should be held responsible, he claimed

.

Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak also accused the British reporter of collaborating with Mr Jakrapob in undermining the monarchy, citing his attendance at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand's (FCCT) forum on Aug 29 of last year.

Mr Head was the moderator at the forum when Mr Jakrapob delivered his controversial speech about the patronage system, according to the complaint.

Earlier Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak filed a complaint against Mr Head in connection with remarks he allegedly made when moderating a panel discussion at the FCCT on Dec 13 last year entitled ''Coup, Capital and Crown''.

He also initiated the criminal investigation against Mr Jakrapob for his controversial speech.


There are two things that astonish me about this case:

1. How can somebody become a Lt. Col and be this stupid.

2. The right-wing nationalist Bangkok Post refuses to point out the stupidity of this case, refuses to point out the factual mistakes, and refuses to point out exactly the charge being put forth.

There is not one shred of evidence that Jonathan Head collaborated with Jakrapob to "undermine the monarchy."

The Bangkok Post knows this, but prints it anyways.

Funny how the Thai media cries over government intimidation, yet when a farang reporter gets charged with this asinine crime, they are silent.