Overseas scholars call for govt not to use lese majesty against people and websites

Well-known international scholars such as Noam Chomsky, Stuart Hall, Immanuel Wallerstein plus public figures like Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Lord Eric Avebury, vice-chair of Britain's Parliamentary Human Rights Group, have signed a letter due to be submitted to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

They call for reform of the lese majeste law to prevent "abuses" and to prevent further damage to the international reputation of Thailand and the monarch.

They urged the authorities to withdraw current lese majeste charges and to release people detained for expressing their ideas.

"The experiences of many countries have proven that only truth, transparency, civic discussion and the democratic process can turn conflict of ideas into innovative and peaceful change. Suppression of ideas does not solve anything, but is likely to do more harm than good for the monarchy," the letter says.

Thongchai Winichakul, professor of History at University of Wisconsin at Madison in the US, speaking via an Internet video link to Bangkok, claimed the law, with the surge of arrests in recent months, had created a climate of "fear and repression throughout Thai society".

"How long are we going to stand idly in this climate of fear," he asked, during an hour-long press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. Only five Thai journalists attended the conference, during which Thongchai asked the media "please open up the debate".

Andrew Walker, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University in Canberra, another coordinator who spoke via the Internet-link said the law was not good for the monarchy or democracy.

He said he would encourage people to discuss the merit of the law.

Both denied any link to ousted and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Thongchai insisted the letter was signed by scholars who "care" and "even love" Thailand.

He said he would welcome any Thai scholar to join and sign the petition, which will be handed to Abhisit late this month or in early April.

Later, the prime minister said his government would discuss the lese majeste law and whether it should be amended.

"We will discuss it next week," Abhisit said.