From: hrcoord@igc.apc.org (Human Rights Coordinator)
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Subject: Thai: Alert for Peace Activist
Date: 21 Dec 92 23:17:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700905:000:3620
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Dec 21 15:17:00 1992


From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: Thai: Alert for Peace Activist


                          PEACE BRIGADES ALERT! 
        HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING PROFESSOR SULAK SIVARAKSA

Peace Brigades International (PBI) has called an alert in response to the
arrest of Professor Sulak Sivaraksa. Sulak is an internationally respected
peace activist and Buddhist philosopher -- and PBI's Southeast Asia
representative. He was immediately arrested upon his return to Thailand on
December 14.  He face charges of "lese majeste" (offending the Thai
monarchy). The charges stem from a speech Sulak made in August of 1991 (see
"Background" below).

After 15 months in exile, Sulak attempted to return to Thailand (Siam) on
the morning of December 14. He was immediately taken into custody by the
Bangkok Metropolitan police upon his arrival at the airport.  He was
released at 3:00 pm after posting a bail of 300,000 baht (US $12,000). 

The Attorney General will present the case to the Thai criminal court on
December 24. Before this date, it is possible for the case to be dropped by
the Attorney General's office. If the case is presented to the criminal
court on the 24th, Professor Sulak must reapply for bail. During this time,
the criminal court also has the opportunity to drop the case. 

Sulak's return signals his decision to fight the charges against him while
working within Thailand for greater democracy. The peaceful resolution of
Sulak's case will contribute to the larger struggle for democracy in
Thailand. 

PBI urges its supporters around the world to send telexes to Prime Minister
Chuan asking him to encourage the Attorney General to drop the case against
Sulak by December 23. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated!

Send the following telexes or faxes to the Prime Minister of Thailand:

WE REQUEST THE DROPPING OF ALL CHARGES AGAINST SULAK SIVARAKSA AND CALL ON
YOUR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE FOR INCREASED DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL
JUSTICE. WE ALSO SUPPORT THE KING'S EFFORTS TO BRING RENEWED PEACE AND
RECONCILIATION TO THE THAI PEOPLE.

The above message may be sent by contacting FAXNET at 1-800-831-2202 and
requesting that PBI Message #26 be sent in your name ($9 billed, $7 by
credit card). Personal letters or faxes should be sent to:

Honorable Chuan Leekpai
Prime Minister of Thailand
Government House
Nakhorn Pathom Rd.
Bangkok 10300
Thailand
Fax: 66-2-280-1443

                                BACKGROUND:

In September of 1991, various leaders of Thai society came under attack for
their protests of the NPKC (The National Peace-Keeping Council, which
overthrew the Chatichai government in 1991). The harassment of social
critic and democracy movement activist Sulak Sivaraksa was the most
prominent of those cases. Sulak was charged by General Suchinda Kraprayoon
with "lese majeste" (offending the Thai monarchy.) The charge stemmed from
various comments made by Sulak about the misuse of the monarchy for
political advantages and suppression of criticism, as well as accusations
that the leaders of the NPKC had secretly visited Burma to acquire logging
concessions. A warrant was subsequently issued for Sulak's arrest. 

In the wake of civic leader Thanong Bho-aan's "disappearance" four months
earlier (he is still "disappeared"), Sulak feared for his life. He went
into hiding, and after an international telex response to the Military
Supreme Command Headquarters and Prime Minister, Sulak was able to flee the
country. Over the past 15 months, Sulak has traveled tirelessly around the
world promoting the cause of democracy in Thailand (Siam).
^@^H