chuckwoww Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Even so i insist that the principal issue is the law itself since also less obvious media attention seekers might get into jail for unknowingly "breaking" this law. I don't think those who genuinely break the law unknowingly have too much to worry about. Harry has a long history of insulting Thailand. The message was aimed at any future Harrys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiHome Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Looks like Harry's PR rehabilitation campaign is gearing up. Hate to see those book and movie advances disappear. TH Thai royal insult no publicity stunt, says Australian writer 1 day ago MELBOURNE (AFP) â?? The family of an Australian writer jailed then pardoned for insulting the Thai monarchy Monday denied a claim he had sought literary fame by deliberately provoking authorities. Link and Harry's Back! Harry Nicolaides speaks to Neos Kosmos about his seven month ordeal in a Thai jail Fotis Kapetopoulos ....Harry admits that an article by him published in Eureka Street, a Melbourne based publication, alleging that Thai police turned a blind eye to the importation of child pornography from Burma, may have impacted on his situation, "It may have put me on the radar, I knew I was always provocative but at worst if anything at all happened I thought I would be deported, never jailed." Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadfly Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yeah, I will admit to having a bad habit of wanting to discuss things that are visible and verifiable like, say, a bad law that leaves to bad consequences. As to the particulars of Harry...yawn...smoke and mirrors. What I find even more interesting is the intentional use of smoke and mirrors, but perhaps that is best saved for another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Gadfly of course "smoke and mirrors" do exist in this dreamland otherwise something like a mix of 1789 and a Jacquerie would certainly happen... The sad thing is my missus said a local human right activist is currently waiting for his sentence (among 10+ other locals who are accused of committing the same offence) -> maybe they have a better reason (than Mr prick) to "contest" the law but unfortunately for them: - They are locals thus no nice embassy and nice medias focusing their attention on them... So goes the world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 << surrounded by foreign culture and a language I did not understand >> And whose fault was that? He lived here what ... 4 years? ... but couldn't be arsed to learn the language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Looks like Harry's PR rehabilitation campaign is gearing up. Hate to see those book and movie advances disappear.TH They are trying. But I think they'll have a hard time turning Harry into a Greek/Australian hero. More of an embarrassment. Apologies for going off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadfly Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 The sad thing is my missus said a local human right activist is currently waiting for his sentence(among 10+ other locals who are accused of committing the same offence) -> maybe they have a better reason (than Mr prick) to "contest" the law but unfortunately for them: - They are locals thus no nice embassy and nice medias focusing their attention on them... You are, of course, right that locals are less likely to get foreign media attention or assistance from an Embassy. But irrespective of what you think of Harry, his case has drown more attention to this law and how it is applied. It gets more attention now in the international press Is he a hero for doing this? No. Is he the only reason for this? He is a reason, but I strongly suspect not the only reason. Thailand is in a time of transition, and some rather, let us say, bizzare events have happended here that have captured media attention. The airport takeover comes to mind. We now have the internet, and blocking sites inside of Thailand isn't going to make that go away. I also think that international standards and expectations about these sorts of things have changed, and I am not sure if that is really understood here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozpharlap Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I also think that international standards and expectations about these sorts of things have changed, and I am not sure if that is really understood here. With respect, I disagree as to your last comment. I don't think that there is too much pressure in regards to international standards or expectations; maybe only from the media, who are simply looking for a story to fill there news bulletins or papers with. There has not been any international condemnation in regards to Thailand's LM laws emanating in any official capacity. They have chosen to let that country decide it's own laws, rightly or wrongly. It only amplifies the message most countries issue to their own citizens, if in another country, obey its laws or customs to prevent arrest and jail; regardless if you think that they are ridiculous. Harry's plight will soon wash over until, a more deserved case comes along. If people are being held as so called 'political prisoners, well, as an earlier forum writer commented, law or no law, unjust or otherwise, an unscrupulous politician/government will always find alternate ways to have some one imprisoned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 The sad thing is my missus said a local human right activist is currently waiting for his sentence(among 10+ other locals who are accused of committing the same offence) -> maybe they have a better reason (than Mr prick) to "contest" the law but unfortunately for them: - They are locals thus no nice embassy and nice medias focusing their attention on them... You are, of course, right that locals are less likely to get foreign media attention or assistance from an Embassy. But irrespective of what you think of Harry, his case has drown more attention to this law and how it is applied. It gets more attention now in the international press Is he a hero for doing this? No. Is he the only reason for this? He is a reason, but I strongly suspect not the only reason. Thailand is in a time of transition, and some rather, let us say, bizzare events have happended here that have captured media attention. The airport takeover comes to mind. We now have the internet, and blocking sites inside of Thailand isn't going to make that go away. I also think that international standards and expectations about these sorts of things have changed, and I am not sure if that is really understood here. This has been my question before..."what happens to Thais accussed of LM?..." I recall this claim.charge going back and forth during the TRT/PAD etc protests etc... After awhile, it seems to lose it's punch...Thais seem to debate this, all be it quietly, and even the King himself usually gives a "royal pardon" to the accused. All of which seems to indicate that they themselves could care less. So the next logical question is, other than "TIT," Why even bother? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadfly Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 With respect, I disagree as to your last comment. I don't think that there is too much pressure in regards to international standards or expectations; maybe only from the media, who are simply looking for a story to fill there news bulletins or papers with. There has not been any international condemnation in regards to Thailand's LM laws emanating in any official capacity. They have chosen to let that country decide it's own laws, rightly or wrongly. With respect, I dissent. I attend US Embassy breakfast briefings, EU briefings, UK briefings, ad nasuem - public and private - and there certainly has been international condemnation. You are correct the "country" - and who is that really here - is free to decide, but the world is watching and commenting. Let there be no mistake about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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