UK model could be comfy fit

re: "We need mockery" (BP, December 12, 2020)

Dear editor,

In his reply to former Democrat Party MP Warong Dechkitvigrom, Karl Reichstetter (PostBag, "We need mockery", Dec. 12) acknowledges that laws similar to Thailand's internationally famous lèse majesté law, section 112 of the criminal code, also exist in other nations, who also feel the need to offer some protection to their heads of state. But rather than take the example of what logically follows from a republic such as the US, would it not be more respectfully fitting for Thailand to emulate the legal practices of another democracy with a constitutional monarchy? With its ancient monarchy that remains an anciently respected pillar of the Kingdom, surely England provides more appropriate lessons than the United States, entertaining though US late night shows having a go at the president be.

Thai TV could, for example, introduce Thai history and culture to the world, whilst making a tidy profit and garnering much reverent renown, by producing a Thai equivalent of NetFlix's international hit series "The Crown", regarding which it is worth noting that there has been not a whisper of a hint of a rumour of any prosecution for lèse majesté for offence caused to the majesty of my own dear Queen Elizabeth II, herself now verging on venerable ancientness, and the senior and more sundry members of her family. Yes, by all means give Thailand's monarchy the same legal protections under lèse majesté laws that are extended to other heads of state, including the head of the Commonwealth nations such as my own country. Who, what nation, could not fully support such perfectly adequate legal protection consistent with democratic principle?

 Felix Qui

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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.

The text as edited was published in PostBag on December 13, 2020, under the title "UK model could be comfy fit" at URL