Regarding the article "Lese Majeste brings despair to Thai families" by Marion Thaibaut, an AFP-Jiji reporter based in Bangkok, in The Japan Times on May 25, I wish to clarify the following:
1. Whatever our politics, Thailand has always been a free and open society, and the right of freedom of expression is one of the core values of the Thai nation. But, as in many countries, the exercise of the freedom of expression is not without certain responsibilities. It certainly cannot be a pretext to unjustly demean and defame others or undermine the value or institutions that our people uphold.
2. In the case of Thailand, the monarchy occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of the Thai people, given the fact that throughout our long history, the monarchy has been the pillar of stability of our society. And this could not be more true for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who throughout his reign of 68 years has provided a unifying force for the entire Thai nation, through thick and thin.
3. Unfortunately, there are those who have the misconception that freedom of expression provides a guise to inflame conflict and sow the seeds of division in society by way of bringing disrepute to institutions and values that the Thai people hold dear and have united the Thai people as a nation. We need to put political conflict behind us and move forward with real reforms and reconciliation in order to strengthen our national unity and democratic institutions.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.