Documentary on Thai Royals Sparks Outrage

Jakarta Globe, April 16, 2010

Thailand has protested to the Australian government over the airing of a documentary critical of the Thai royal family and warned the broadcast could affect ties between the nations.

A senior representative from the Thai embassy met with officials from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday to express his concern at the television program aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“The concern is that it might affect the good relations between Thailand and Australia, especially the people to people relations,” Saksee Phromyothi, minister-counselor at the Royal Thai Embassy, told AFP.

“We consider this an issue matter of national security... because the royal family, the monarchy, in our constitution is above politics.”

Thailand’s ambassador designate Kriangsak Kittichaisaree also wrote to ABC managing director Mark Scott to complain about the program which could breach Thailand’s lese-majeste laws, which prohibit criticism of the royals.

“I regret that an organization of the ABC’s stature has lowered its own standard by airing the said documentary, which is presented in a manner no different from tabloid journalism,” he wrote.

The Tuesday program on the state-funded station was broadcast only in Australia.

However, Thailand’s diplomatic missions in Australia say they have received complaints about the program on the monarchy, which Kriangsak said was “the soul” of the nation and cherished by Thais from all walks of life.

“I presume that once you have decided to put this hyper-sensitive program on air, a protest letter like mine, which I hope you will seriously heed, should come as no surprise,” Kriangsak wrote to Scott.

“I strongly express both resentment and disappointment with the poor decision you have made.”

AFP