Lèse-majesté
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American academic faces years in jail after being charged with insulting Thai monarchy | CNN
“The charges against Chambers represent a ‘tightening chokehold on free speech and academic freedom in Thailand,’ said Sunai Phasuk, senior Thailand researcher for Human Rights Watch. ‘Paul is considered a major target by ultra-royalist groups, which have launched multiple attacks against him for years — ranging from online disinformation and hate campaigns to pressing authorities to revoke his visa and get him expulsed from the university,’ Sunai told CNN.”
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American academic faces royal insult charge
“In addition to a complaint of lese-majeste under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Mr Chambers faces a charge of computer crime. The two charges are frequently used together. Lese-majeste is punishable by between 3 and 15 years in prison.”
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“Internet freedom remained severely restricted in Thailand as prodemocracy activists and journalists faced arrest, surveillance, extralegal harassment, and violent attacks in retaliation for their online content. Internet users continued to be charged with lèse-majesté, with some receiving heavy prison sentences for defaming the monarchy online.”
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“You can’t truly understand another culture until you’ve lived in it.”
— Unknown
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Thai Opposition Leader Defends Support for Lese-Majeste Law Change
“Since the 2020-21 protests, the Thai establishment has sought to reinstate the political taboo against any critical discussion of the monarchy. It has wielded Article 112 prosecutions to silence scores of leaders and participants in the 2020-21 protests; at least 274 people faced lese-majeste charges as of September, according to the advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. It has also pursued anyone advocating the removal or amendment of the lese-majeste law.”
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“We are alarmed at the heavy 50-year prison sentence handed down to Mr. Thirakot, which appears to be in retaliation for his political activism online and offline, and the expression of his opinion about the Thai Monarchy. We are concerned at what appears to be a systematic pattern of harassment and targeting against Mr. Thirakot as a result of him exercising his right to peaceful assembly online and offline and exercising his right to freedom of expression. We are also concerned that a third case against Mr. Thirakot is pending and may carry heavy penalties.”