“I ordered the DSI to do so [issue a letter of recommendation to the speaker] in my capacity as head of working group investigating lese majeste offences,” Paiboon said.
He said that celebrity orator Orapim Raksaphon, publicly known as “Best”, wants to improve understanding of the lese majeste issue during her planned trip to the US, which was in line with the committee’s intention.
Orapim plans to relate inspirational stories concerning His Majesty the King’s work and his contribution to the country’s development during his 70-year reign.
Orapim said she was invited by a group of Thai residents in the |US to speak in Los Angeles on December 3 and Boston on December 5. However, her visa application was denied in the middle of this month, triggering a series of questions regarding the reasons behind the denial, her profile and her professional background.
In an immediate response, the speaker said the rejection was because of a credit blacklisting.
Orapin has delivered numerous speeches regarding the monarchy before various organisations |and universities in many provinces.
But a talk she gave in January at a university in Maha Sarakham has stirred criticism.
According to a video of the speech, she made remarks concerning people in the Northeast, which caused public rebuke by some, who said she discriminated against people from Isaan.
Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said that she has frequently been invited to speak before military personnel because of her ability to convey heartfelt stories about His Majesty the late King.
However, he insisted the Army has never paid her.