Boonsong Chaisingkananont

Boonsong Chaisingkananont is an assistant professor of philosophy at Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2005 and 2006 he gave students in classes he taught a question on an exam about whether the Thai monarchy was necessary and how to adapt democratic reforms in Thailand. In 2007, on the complaints of fellow professors, the university handed students' responses to law enforcement officials for inspection, and demanded that Boonsong hand over copies of the exam paper for the preparation of lese majeste charges against him; Boonsong refused to do so. His case has inspired controversy over political freedoms in Thailand, and a number of academics and activists petitioned the government to relieve him of all charges. [ [http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-28946620070813 Academic accused of insulting Thai king in exam paper] , Reuters India, Aug. 13, 2007.] [ [http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2006mr/469/ THAILAND: Petition for lecturer accused of insulting monarchy] , press release AHRC-PL-028-2007 by Asian Human Rights Commission, July 23, 2007.]

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