Bhumibol the Ape Man

Yet another video has appeared on Youtube: BadKarma4Lek in support of Da Torpedo, who is at present on lese majeste charges for allegedly "insulting" the king of Thailand. The trial is being held behind closed doors: no-one (especially foreigners) is allowed access to the hearing.

The judge's decision to deny Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul (Da Torpedo) her basic human rights, was strongly criticised by Amnesty International, not that it makes any difference to Thailand's judges - all of them hand picked by Bhumibol himself.

Bhumibol Adulyadej is the head of the Thai state, yet he is "above criticism". Thai royalist think this is perfectly consistent with a modern democratic state. But it's not. In a true democracy, criticising the "state" is not a crime. Thailand's lese majeste law not only goes against the right to free speech, it may even be unsconstitutional according to Thai law.

If Thailand were a true democracy, this trial wouldn't even be taking place. Free Da Torpedo!