As the news of an American citizen being arrested in Thailand under the nation’s draconian anti-freedom of speech lese majeste laws spreads around the world (he posted a link to a book!), another story published in the last couple of years may provide a clue as to the shocking impunity granted by the USA government to the Thai authorities to harass US nationals over lese majeste.

As reported by Human Rights USA Anthony Chai is a Thai-American and Californian resident who was deemed to have committed lese majeste by Thai authorities. Mr. Chai is no longer a Thai resident and after being harassed and forced to sign a confession by Thai authorities when flying out of Bangkok he was then visited by Thai investigators at his California home.

The Thai government then sent officials to California to conduct a two-day-long interrogation of Mr. Chai, who cooperated for fear that otherwise he would not be allowed to return to Thailand – or worse. Finally, the officials seemed satisfied with their investigation and informed Mr. Chai that he was free to return to Thailand. In 2009, however, Mr. Chai received information that the Thai government had decided to charge him with violation of lése majesté and that if he returned to Thailand he could face arrest.

What is even more shocking is that the Thai authorities appeared to have breached almost every single international legal agreement they have with the USA. One must wonder if the USA would act so gutlessly if Chinese, Iranian or North Korean authorities attempted to do the same?

The Human Rights USA report continues by stating -

The interrogation by Thai officials of Mr. Chai in the U.S. is simply unacceptable. In June of 1993 Thailand and the U.S. signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) which laid out procedure for foreign officials seeking information, and Mr. Chai’s interrogation violates this agreement.

This should come as no surprise to Thailand watchers. The US government has a long long history of supporting the most brutal, conservative and reactionary elements in Thailand. This support continues undimmed.

Furthermore, while this US citizen is languishing in a Thai jail the normally highly vocal US Ambassador, Kristie Kenney, has, at time of posting this article, remained silent. Maybe there is nothing ‘pretty’ or ‘cute’ to tweet about regarding the inside of a Thai prison?

One can also predict the supine USA Embassy’s response – “we can’t get involved in another country’s law enforcement.”

Oh yes they can and they just did. As anyone following events in Pakistan will tell you, a shady CIA/private security operative and US citizen, Raymond Davis, was arrested earlier this year for murdering two men. The US government then quickly intervened, stumping up a reported US$2.3million in blood money to help free him.

The message is clear – the US government will defend those who kill in its name and abandon US citizens exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of speech.