Lese Majeste? (r)

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

/* Written 11:33 pm  Jun 14, 1994 by bealp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:bitl.seasia */
/* ---------- "Lese Majeste?" ---------- */
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On Mon, 13 Jun 1994, Cliff Sloane wrote:

> > 1.      This magazine is not available in Burma.  She believes it is
> > published by Burmese students outside Burma.
> >
> > 2.      The subject article is a discussion of poverty in Thailand.  An
> > example is given of a poor family which supports itself by fishing.  The
> > family is so poor that a daughter becomes a prostitute to support the
> > other members.  (My Burmese friend did not tell me, nor did I ask,
> > whether coersion was involved.)
> >
> > 3.      In one, the key (at least for this purpose) paragragh it is
> > stated that a leading public personage in Thailand can, because of her
> > position, do pretty much anything she wants whereas, if she came from a
> > poor family, one as poor as the one used as an example, she too might
> > have to become a prostitute.
>
> I wish to thank Mr. Beal for his effort. This was discussed widely in both
> soc.culture.thai and SEASIA-L as an example of possible lese majeste on
> the part of (it was surmised) the Burmese government. Your efforts have
> caused me to doubt two supposed "facts":
> 1. Is this really an example of lese majeste? Or is it a dramatic way of
> expressing income disparity?
> 2. If your source is sure that it is not available in Burma, the critique
> implicit in this makes much more sense.
>
> Cliff Sloane
>
I don't know the law (although if asked I would check) but I think this
is a borderline case.  Of course the rapid monarchists would think it is
lese majeste just to imply what the article apparently does.

I frankly don't understand why the information I was given differs
somewhat from the even limite report in The Nation.  Differing translations?