Royalty

The protection of the royal institution of Thailand, like many similar regimes, has two rationales. First, reverence for the royal personage or institution and insecurity. Thai's leaped on the protect the King bandwagon, understandably, when various foreign interests were busy dividing up the place for their own gains.

In this most recent issue of charging the entire Foreign Correspondence Club of Thailand, FCCT, with a supposed insult to the Royal institution has several interesting facets. We can ignore the obvious for the moment. Thailand does not care that much what the world opinion of the country is. Generally speaking, their short sightedness is legendary. The relevant persons in foreign countries that operate businesses in Thailand know full well that good graces can be bought and how to buy them. The rest of the world, and the working class of Thailand itself can go leap off a cliff. Thailand is a full standing member of the international 'prostitute your country for profit' club.

One of the more interesting aspects of this FCCT brouhaha is that the police will investigate the offense. Now it is well know the police in general are an entirely rogue organization. They legally collect bribes, and almost always place the interests of their senior officers first and foremost, which of course means the politicians and elite who pull their strings. There never has been a serious effort to clean up the act of the Thai police and probably never will be.

In keeping with the police being manipulatable we have Jakrapob himself who will suffer (or not) various penalties for his actions dependent upon his connections with police and government officials. What penance he may ultimately pay could easily be less that the penalties the FCCT might receive. After all, justice is not only for sale, it will give preferential treatment to Thai nationals first. Unless, of course, we are talking about a serious foreign business interest who's damaged position could adversely affect various persons of an even higher position than say, Jakrapob can manipulate.

Then of course we have Laksana Kornsilpa, the whistle blower, and where exactly her loyalties lie. Therein lies the rub, and the crux of the matter. The laws pertaining to protecting the royal institute are extremely archaic, and at present, pretty ridiculous. His Majesty King Bhumibol has led a life that is far above critical reproach. Criticism of him will only serve, ultimately, to further highlight the incredible service he has done for the country during his long and justly esteemed reign. By all means, if it is felt it is required, lower the boom on the Royal ridiculers when your king acts like Than Shwe and the entire ruling authority is a farcical bananarama. Don't lessen King Bhumibol by enveloping his services to not only Thailand but the world in a small minded shallow mud slinging endeavor that is invariably enacted, at least in part, to simply further a persons social or political goals.

Do I accuse Ms Laksana of less than altruistic intents? By no means! I accuse her of Lese Majeste of course, but that isn't the relevant issue here. Lese Majeste?? My dearest Ms Laksana, His Majesty is, first and foremost, the epitome of Buddhism in this country. Beyond that, he has sternly ruled his own life and all the people he has affected by rigid codes taken directly from the Dharma. No where within those teachings will you find advocacy for recrimination or selective justice. What you, Ms Laksana, are charging, is that neutral individuals disseminated information that could be considered harmful to the Royal Institution. NOT His Majesty. Did they do this allegedly criminal act with intent, be it deliberate or incidental, to harm the Royal Institute? Perhaps, if you completely ignore the Buddhist teachings and only pursue the ancient, pre-civilized code of grabbing a larger club and pummeling anyone who you disagree with. Or, of course, there is the possibility that the Royal Institution presently represents ideals or goals that coincide with your own personal interests. Regardless which, it is seriously doubtful if any will find your actions and intents to fully adhere and support the eightfold path. Choose dear Madam, the intents and desires of the King, or the petty recriminations of the small and shallow people who support the Royal Institution as they see fit, when it is convenient and the institute not always a perfect reflection of the intents of the foremost Buddhist of Thailand.