About 100 clueless Thai royalists gathered in front of the US embassy in Bangkok last Friday (December 16, 2011) in support of the kingdom's draconian laws against insulting the monarchy, following criticism from Washington.
"We call on the US embassy and Ambassador Kristie Kenney to apologize to all Thai people for their improper action towards our beloved king," said protest leader Chaiwat Surawichai.
Well, I call on protest leader Chaiwat Surawichai to put his head between his legs and kiss his own smelly ass!
Some demonstrators held signs reading "Kristie Kenney SHUT UP" and "We will protect article 112 with our lives," referring to the section of the Thailand’s hideous criminal code concerning royal defamation.
But here is what confuses me, some demonstrators wore Guy Fawkes masks!
I can’t think a more inappropriate use of wearing Guy Fawkes masks while rallying in favor of supporting lèse majesté. Don't these idiots know that Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate the reigning king of England at the time - James I? I guess the irony is lost on them.
Of course, these bozos could have been trying to emulate the main character in the 2006 British movie, “V for Vendetta,” who wore a Guy Fawkes mask. However, that character was a shadowy freedom fighter which used terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society, an anarchist revolutionary who launches an elaborate, violent, and intentionally theatrical campaign to murder his former captors, bring down the government, and convince the people to rule themselves. I would think this to be a very inappropriate choice of symbolism for these cruel supporters of a repressive monarchy.
Besides, the mask is more British in origin than American. And if you are going to protest against America at an American Embassy at least use an American symbol which we can better relate to. A symbol which better reflects their true identity and what they are in favor of: making reckless, unsubstantiated accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence as well as demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of political adversaries.
I know! Those ultra royalists should be wearing Joe McCarthy masks. Here, I’ll fix the scene in the photo appropriately.
There, that's much better.
And while I am trying to fix "things," I’d like to focus on another, King – a great American. Martin Luther King Jr., in his famous "Letter from the Birmingham Jail," called on all Americans to actively oppose laws that are morally wrong. King wrote:
"There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that an unjust law is no law at all... "
As Americans we must remember that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. Speak out against Thailand's
Very good article Mr Nathan ! Thanks
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