An academic has urged researchers to avoid making submissions to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Press after it canceled his contract to publish a book that was critical of the Thai monarchy.
Coup, King, Crisis: A Critical Interregnum in Thailand, edited by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a prominent overseas Thai critic, is a collection that examines Thailand’s political transition from 2014 to 2019, through a series of essays by 14 Asian studies scholars.
It had been due to be published by NUS Press, but the publisher reversed course in March 2020. Criticism of the monarchy is illegal in Thailand because of lèse-majesté laws.
In this critical moment, the key players in Thailand’s prior political system are trying to block any transition. Meanwhile, the protest movement that has built in the streets in Thailand in recent months is calling for constitutional changes and reforms to strengthen democracy and questioning the power of the king. This protest movement has broken the taboo of openly discussing and even criticizing the monarchy, and the current government has struck back by reviving the use of the lèse-majesté law and arresting multiple protest leaders.
Meanwhile, the new monarch lacks the moral authority that his father, Bhumibhol, amassed during his decades-long reign, which made him genuinely popular and respected among many Thais.
From front left: Jazz pianist Junko Onishi, novelist Haruki Murakami, clarinetist Eiji Kitamura and pop singer Miu Sakamoto after a Murakami Jam live music event in June 2019 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami invites listeners to usher in 2021 together as he will host his first New Year s Eve radio special live from a studio in his hometown Kyoto.
“Let’s hear the tolling of the New Year’s Eve bells in the ancient capital and ring in the new year together,” Murakami said in a statement on the website of the show, titled “Toshikoshi Special Ushizaka 21 ” (Year-crossing Special).