Da Torpedo 1 - King of Thailand 0

Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul (Da Torpedo) may have been cleared of "unrest" charges, but there still remains the "thorny" issue of lese majeste charges against her, for a rally speech she made a year ago criticising Thailand's cold hearted monarch.

Even though Da Torpedo has been cleared of some of the trumped up charges against her: illegal assembly, causing national unrest, detaining other people, damaging property, attempted trespass and defamation, she may still go to prison for many years for "insulting" the king.

Images of emaciated prisoners shuffling along corridors in heavy chains and dressed in prison garb, bring shame on Thailand, a nation of otherwise gentle people. The king of Thailand meanwhile, permits this spectacle to continue by remaining silent on the issue of lese majeste law. Someone should remind the Thai king, that all this is being done in his name.

We'll just have to wait and see the results of Da Torpedo's lese majeste trial, but today's news is a small victory for both Da Torpedo and common sense. And common sense, is precisely something which is scarce in Abhisit's Thailand. For instance, did Abhisit read this report in The Bangkok Post today and make the connection? The Bangkok Post couldn't have made it any more obvious: The article appeared alongside the latest news of Da Torpedo.

"Tourism plunges 22 per cent"

"The tourism industry has suffered its deepest slump in many decades with the number of visitors expected to be down 22 per cent on last year, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand chairman Kongkit Hiranyakij."

You may ask yourself, why can't Thai authorities just release Da Torpedo, Suwicha Thakhor and abolish lese majeste law, then we can all stop this nonsence? Answer: Because Bhumibol Adulyadej and the rest of the Chakri clan, have too many dirty secrets to allow free speech in Thailand. Good video from SrirasmiUbitch.