Good morning,

The lese majeste issue is likely to be thrust even further into the international spotlight now that Giles Ji Ungpakorn has been arrested. Professor Ungpakorn is a prominent public figure and has written several important books from a Marxist perspective, some of which have been banned (the most recent one is available for free on the internet, although obviously I myself etc and so on). He is a combative figure and willing to stand up for himself and will be expected to make a spirited defence of himself, presumably largely on the nature of the law. One problem involved in even discussing the case and others like it is that it is equally illegal (according to the prevailing interpretation of the law) to repeat whatever it is of which the individual has been charged in the first place. So, unless he is somehow exonerated on the basis that what he is supposed to have said or written does not contradict the law (which is currently in an extraordinarily draconian state), we will never know what it is. The international media are likely to take this up.

It has become unusually cold (the bad weather comes from China, of course) and some parts of the north are down to 2 or even 1⁰C (not sure if the font translates to html – that is supposed to be one degree centigrade or Celsius, whichever is cooler). This is very terrible news for the people of the north for whom this is probably unprecedented and will lead to illness and deaths for vulnerable people. Urgent action is needed by the government but, alas, the Do-Nothings are in charge now.

The Asian team has won the Royal Trophy golf tournament, beating the European team 10-6. Congratulations to the Asian players, for whom this is a significant step forward (although it is difficult to know, not having seen any of it, how well prepared the Europeans were). Let us see how they respond next year. Let us also see if any Thai golfers make big progress this year and make their mark in a Major or other large event.

Back tomorrow.

Honest Biscuitmen 4 Pernicious Hornets 0. That’s a result.