Thread: Parents of Thai ex-princess given jail term for lese majeste

Parents of Thai ex-princess given jail term for lese majeste



The parents of a former Thai princess have been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to defaming the monarchy.

The parents of Srirasmi Suwadee, who was recently divorced from Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, admitted misusing their royal connections 12 years ago.

Since last year, nine of Ms Srirasmi's relatives have been arrested.

Thailand's royal family is protected by some of the strictest lese majeste laws in the world.

The army staged a coup last year, and have since ramped up the use of lese majeste.

The law prohibits any negative comments about the king, queen, heir or regent. It carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Media organisations cannot report the full details of any case without risking prosecution under the law.

Critics say the law restricts free speech and is used as a tool to silence political opposition.

On Wednesday, a court sentenced Apiruj Suwadee, 72, and his wife Wanthanee, 66, for insulting the royal family, lodging a malicious claim and asking authorities to file false charges against their neighbour in 2003.

Ms Srirasmi gave up all her royal titles last December.

Various members of her family, including her sister and two brothers, have now been convicted and jailed for lese majeste.

BBC News - Parents of Thai ex-princess given jail term for lese majeste

Excellent. A crack down on corruption. Well done

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

Media organisations cannot report the full details of any case without risking prosecution under the law.

Huh?...

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

Critics say the law restricts free speech and is used as a tool to silence political opposition.

Really?...

There's a surprise...

Do they have a "Prison Hilton," for Hi-so prisoners?

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

.....admitted misusing their royal connections 12 years ago.

Makes one wonder how many people still on the inside are rampantly 'misusing their royal connections' - till such time as their tenure ends.

All of them no doubt.

Jesus, I must be too busy having fun on my motorbike exploring weird and wonderful places. Didn't even know this happened.

Well, back to sorting my bike out for the next trip!

Gee, and I had lunch with my ex in-laws last October when I was in the USA, whatever nasty things they might have said about me while I was divorcing their daughter have long since been forgotten and forgiven on both sides. Sadly no further comment.

Originally Posted by The Ghost Of The Moog

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

.....admitted misusing their royal connections 12 years ago.

Makes one wonder how many people still on the inside are rampantly 'misusing their royal connections' - till such time as their tenure ends.

All of them no doubt.

I had a similar thought. Either this is an unusually corrupt family or a case of 'there but for the grace of God...' The second seems more likely to me.

Looks like they're wearing hospital "gowns," probably with the open back and their arses flapping in the wind...

They must've really probed them...

^Thailand uses the "Vulcan" mind probe no doubt about it.