Thailand
Blogger convicted of defaming monarchyPosted Apr 18 2009
Thai blogger Suwicha Thakhor was convicted and sentenced April 3 to ten years in prison for material he posted on his blog that the government deemed as defaming the monarchy.
Defaming, insulting or threatening the king or the royal family is an offense under Section 112 of Thailand's Penal Code. Suwicha's lawyer has said he will apply for a royal pardon.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology said it has shut down more than 2,000 Web sites containing this type of material, or “lèse majesté.” The senate set up a committee in January to oversee the blocking of additional sites, warning that over 10,000 could be targeted.
Charges of lèse majesté have increased dramatically since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was deposed in a 2006 coup.
BBC Southeast Asia correspondent Jonathan Head was accused of lèse majesté in May 2008 after “inappropriate photographs” were posted on the BBC's Web site. Articles about the king in The Economist have been pulled from the shelves in Thailand. Australian writer Harry Nicolaides was sentenced to three years imprisonment in January but was later pardoned by the king.
More information
- International Freedom of Expression Exchange