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Support Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Support Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Thailand 16 February 09

Social and labour critic, Associate Prof Giles Ji Ungpakorn, has left Thailand for sanctuary in the United Kingdom as he believes that, under the present Thai government and judicial system, he would be facing certain jail.

 

In January of this year, Giles was charged with Lese Majeste - ie. offending the dignity of the monarchy - for a book he published in 2007. The book ''A Coup for the Rich' discussed the role of the military, the elites and the Monarchy in the 2006 coup. If found guilty, Giles faces a heavy prison sentence of up to 15 years.

 
In the political unrests of 2008, Giles' social commentary was again very clear in exposing the role of the military and the elites in organising the protests. Giles is a political commentator and has been involved in social movements in Thailand for many years on the side of labour and the poor of Thailand.

 

The present government are trying to create a climate of fear and have created a website so people could inform on anyone alleged to have violated the Lese Majeste law. Giles is only one of many who are now facing jail under this law.


The Lese Majeste law is quite clearly aimed at suppressing dissent in Thailand. It is now used by the present government to target its critics and organisations that organise in favour of workers and the poor.


It is important to defend activists like Giles Ji Ungpakorn.

 

You can hear an interview with Giles on AAWL's radio program, Asia Pacific Currents, on 3CR Radio, 855 on the AM band in Melbourne, on Saturday the 21st of February. If outside of Melbourne you can listen live on the internet, see http://www.3cr.org.au/3cr_streaming or listen to it as a podcast at http://www.3cr.org.au/podcasts

 

To support You can:

  • Write letters of support to Giles, ji.ungpakorn@gmail.com
  • Pass motions of support at your union
  • Write letters of protests to the Thai government c/o Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Government House, Bangkok, Thailand. Fax number +66(0)29727751
  • Write letters of protest to your local embassy/consulate
  • Publicise this case among your networks
  • Sign and circulate the attached petition

 

For further information see:

http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/  - website for Thai political prisoners

http://siamrd.blog.co.uk/
http://wdpress.blog.co.uk/
http://redsiam.wordpress.com/
see YOUTUBE videos by Giles53