My Apology to the People and King of Thailand

When the controversy over YouTube being banned in Thailand first began, I didn't really know what to think. One thing did come to mind, however; that something just wasn't right. I really had no knowledge of the Thai culture and no idea how important the Thai King truly is to his people.

In fact, all I had to base my reaction to the situation on was my strongly American view that freedom of Speech is one of the most sacred rights a people can have. I personally live by this principle, but I am more than aware that many peoples and nations do not. While I may not agree with it, I recognize it is my duty as a sane and honorable human being to respect these cultural differences.

When I originally made my video, I was trying to approach the issue from what I thought was a fairly light angle - poking fun at the Thai king from an innocent point of view and making a simple, political point. I even included other world leaders in an attempt to show that I had no particular dislike of the Thai King. All along, my intent was purely political in nature - to show that Thailand has some laws that simply do not fit in our modern, freedom loving world - and nothing more.

I never intended to hurt the Thai people. I never intended to personally insult the Thai King. To be entirely honest, I was really quite ignorant as to the history and traditions behind the Thai laws that protect the image of the King. I knew Thailand had a very different culture from the United States - that they had very different values and traditions - but I never realized how important the King was within the Thai culture.

In the days and weeks since I posted my videos, I've grown to realize that my comments and actions could easily be taken in the wrong light - that I have something against the Thai King or even the Thai People. I want to make it entirely clear that this is not true, nor was it ever, and that it was never my intent. Unfortunately, my video got a bit out of hand and really upset a lot of people. I am sorry and I never meant for this to happen. I never meant to offend anyone, to upset anyone, or even create much of a reaction -- I simply wanted to help get a message out. I stand by my message, but I guess I went a little overboard. For that I am sorry.

With this in mind, I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies to all the people of Thailand, to all those of Thai Ancestry, and to all those who love and cherish Thailand and her people. Most of all, I'd like to offer my apologies to His Majesty, the King of Thailand, for defacing his picture and polluting his image.

I am deeply sorry to all whom I may have hurt and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.

Thank you.

Music: http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Easy_Listening/Classical/_Eter-Edgen-7254/index...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Thailand
• censorship
• Thai
• Bhumibol
• Adulyadej
• free
• speech
• apology

[nivique]

@tipayam You are right about the way law enforcement works in Thailand. And I think it's pretty dumb to enforce the law by an order, this is so duty-shirking.

[nivique]

@tipayam Try to put our situation in the international context, if this happens in the countries where true democracy is applied in the spirit, I bet a bunch of money-grubbers and megalomaniacs will most likely never get a second chance, they DIE! But like I said, it takes a great deal of time for our country to achieve the point where we truly want to be.

[nivique]

@tipayam Education, morals, altruism, integrity, unity and whatnot are the solutions to all the problems. The solutions are right there but the thing is though, will most Thais be disposed to take part in it? Because this is kind of like 'easier said than done'. The biggest problem is that the majority are being manipulated. But the main reason that this can't be helped is because these people choose to support the bad guys but not in the other way around.

[nivique]

@tipayam are subject to corruption and bribery. It sure is shameful and disgraceful to know this stuff but truth be told.

[nivique]

@tipayam take the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit for example. I don't know if that should be considered a good boon derived from human rights but it's like suing often happens on a daily basis in the States. But be that as it may, Thailand, as a whole, has a long way to go in terms of law enforcement and democracy. Here, the law is just an ink on a piece of paper; unfortunately we see all kinds of law-breakers anywhere we go. All circles of society or even the ecclesiastical community

[nivique]

@tipayam the name of world's security and peace) still remain at present. It does seem that the World Power is arrogating human rights exclusively to serve their personal interests and gain, not that of the world whatsoever. So, this clearly infers that the one who has declared to be a protector of human rights is actually a violator themselves. However, it couldn't be truer for Americans who are trigger-happy when it comes to suing and a boycott. Just nearly everything can be sued:

[nivique]

@tipayam Rightly so, despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being globally upheld, it still is under threat in every part of the world. Even a country like America, who has been promoting the spread of democracy and human rights since the Cold War, is also no exception. Still it's dubitable today as to whether the States really believes in human rights all the while the existence of racial discrimination, the US occupation of Iraq, a global dispatch of the Interpol police (in

[tipayam]

@nivique Guess who is the government right now. We can stop enforcing the criminal side of the law, and create way to facilitate operation on the civil side. Everyone will praise that Thailand finally has "free speech", even though it is the same sh#t.

[tipayam]

@nivique Talk show hosts can get fired for saying offensive things about certain group of people. How? Consumers can call in to the sponsors of the show threaten to boycot the products. White supremacist groups were sued until they went bankrupt.

Nivi, this is where you, me and all Thais can do. Hit them at the pocket book. What we have done were waiting for some body to enforece the law. And you know that in Thailand, some laws you need "poo yai" to tell you to enforce.

[tipayam]

@nivique There is no such thing is a "free speech", not completely anyway. It is an advertisiment for American to feel proud of their country, it's an illusion. There are mechanisms set up to make sure you pay for your speech. Even though there is no such law written, but in a capitalist society, they hit you at the pocket book. If a tabloid prints a lie about a celebrity, paper can get sued for apology and monetary compensation. People can sue for defamation.