8-7-2023 (BANGKOK) A book about the monarchy edited by academic-in-exile Pavin Chatchavalpongpun has been banned in Thailand for defaming the royal institution, according to a police announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Friday. The book, titled “Rama X: The Thai Monarchy under King Vajiralongkorn,” allegedly reflected attitudes deemed insulting, defaming, or displaying great malice towards the king, queen, heir apparent, or regent.
The announcement, signed by Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, the national police chief, on June 19, cited Section 10 of the Printing Recordation Act BE 2550 (2007) for banning the book. The announcement stated that anyone who imports the book into Thailand would be liable to a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht, and that the police chief had the authority to destroy the book, which takes effect immediately.
The author, Mr Pavin, who is a professor at Kyoto University and editor-in-chief of the Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, published by the school’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies, has been an outspoken critic of the political establishment and has pushed for reform of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majesté law.
The book is scheduled to be published by the Council on Southeast Asia Studies of Yale University in the United States, as part of its Southeast Asia Studies Monograph Publications series. Mr Pavin has stated that his book will be on shelves in the United States in October and an e-book will also be available.
Mr Pavin worked for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 13 years before becoming a political science academic. He moved to Japan in 2012 to take up his position at Kyoto University but has continued to comment regularly on Thai affairs for international publications. After the 2014 military coup, he was ordered to report to authorities but refused. The National Council for Peace and Order subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Mr Pavin but he declined to return to Thailand and has lived abroad ever since.
