From Reporters Without Borders:
Internet user gets ten years in jail for posting content that “defamed” monarchy
Reporters Without Borders condemns the 10-year jail sentence which a criminal court in the northeast Bangkok district of Ratchada imposed today on Suwicha Thakor for posting content online that was deemed to have insulted the monarchy. Thakor has been held in Bangkok’s Klong Prem prison since 14 January.
“The charge of lese majeste has become a major tool of repression in Thailand,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The sentence passed on Suwicha Thakor violates online free expression and is out of all proportion to what he is alleged to have done. We call for his release and we urge the government to amend this law, which is being abused in an unacceptable manner.”
Thakor’s lawyer said he was accused of posting photos, videos and comments online which, according to the court, defamed the monarchy. He was found guilty on two counts under the lese majeste law and one count of causing “offence” under the Computer Act. The court gave him a 10-year jail term for each of the first two counts, for a total of 20 years but, as he pleaded guilty, this was halved.
Thakor said in court, after the verdict : “I am ill… I need help… I have three children.” Alluding to his father, wife and three children, he added : “I must remain in prison for 10 years, but there are five people who are dying.
Do any New Mandala readers know what Suwicha posted?
4 responses so far ↓
1 Portman // Apr 4, 2009 at 3:25 pm
BBC report http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7981769.stm
Bkk Post http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/14507/man-gets-10-years-for-insulting-monarchy
Since the original clip that got YouTube blocked in Thailand in 2007, there have been any number of clips that could be interpreted as LM. Take your pick.
2 BKK lawyer // Apr 4, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I have seen no descriptions anywhere of what he posted, except this in the BBC’s report after the sentencing:
“A court in Bangkok said Suwicha Thakho, 34, digitally altered images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family and posted them on the internet.
“The court did not say how the pictures were changed or where they appeared, but local media cited YouTube.”
3 FreeThai // Apr 5, 2009 at 4:38 am
These pictures never had been a danger for the monarchy. But now they become a danger to the monarchy, because of this silly, stupid and draconian sentence. People of Thailand will not accept, that a father of 3 children has to go to prison for some silly pictures, and leave 2 generations without income. This type of law and this sentence is not intended to protect the Nation, but to destroy the loyalty to the Nation and the Monarchy.
Please set up a donation link. I like to donate to this poor family.
4 Portman // Apr 5, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I doubt that he can expect to be recommended for a royal pardon anytime soon. The authorities expect Thais to know better and their incarceration causes far less outcry overseas than that of foreign LM convicts.
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