 |
| In this file photo taken late on February, 27, 2010, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej holds the leash of his dog while sitting in a wheelchair at a hospital in Bangkok. Photo by AFP |
BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's controversial Lese Majeste laws imposing harsh penalties for defaming the country's royal family is under increased scrutiny once again. In an apparent escalation of the already draconian royal defamation law, a Thai, Thanakorn Siripaiboon, 27, faces prison after being charged with lese majeste for insulting the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dog in a satirical Facebook post according to his lawyer Pawinee Chumsri.
 |
| Lese majeste suspect Thanakorn Siriphaibun, 27, arrives at Bangkok Military Court on Monday morning. The court approved a police request to detain him for 12 days for further investigation.(Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya) |
Anyone convicted of insulting the revered but ailing King Bhumibol, 88, or the queen, heir or regent can face up to 15 years in jail on each count. Over the last decade his favourite dog, an adopted stray called Tongdaeng (Copper) which is praised for her loyalty and obedience, has been used to outline his vision of how Thais should behave.
An international rights group Amnesty International says Thailand should stop applying the royal defamation law to criminalize freedom of expression, with the law leaving dozens of individuals in jail or facing military trials without access to appeal.
No comments:
Post a Comment