Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, external says anyone who “defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent” will be punished with a jail term between three and 15 years.
This law has remained virtually unchanged since the creation of the country’s first criminal code in 1908, although the penalty was toughened in 1976.
The ruling has also been enshrined in all of Thailand’s recent constitutions, which state: “The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action.”
Never, never, never disrespect the King of Thailand or the Royal Family.
In talk, in writing, by defacing anything depicting the Royal Family, in social media posts.
Never show disrespect towards the monarch or depictions of the royal family (including on money, pictures, posters, etc.)
The Lèse-Majesté law is a extremely serious criminal offense.
Lèse-Majesté complaints can be filed by anyone, against anyone, and they must always be formally investigated by the police.
Thai people will not tolerate you defaming the monarchy and will turn you in to the police!
Those arrested can be denied bail and some are held for long periods in pre-trial detention.
Correspondents say trials are routinely held in closed session, often in military courts where defendants’ rights are limited.