I’ll bet you didn’t know this about lese majeste laws in Thailand.

[Guest Geezer]

"I am going to finish by quoting Section 133 of the Criminial Code. It shows that Thailand also respects the Royal Families and Head of States of other countries:

 

Section 133: Whoever, defaming, insulting or threatening the Sovereign, Queen, Consort, Heir-apparent or Head of Foreign State, shall be imprisoned from one to seven years or fined from two thousand to fourteen thousand baht, or both.

 

So, be careful what you say aginst the Queen of England or the President of the United States! You should also take note of section 135 as that forbids the burning of flags as you could face two years in prison. I think we had a flag burning demonstration outside the US embassy recently in Bangkok. If you are American, I guess you could just go to the local police station and lay charges."

 

http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2009/0...jeste-la?blog=5

[Guest fountainhall]

Well, I guess many of us posters are in trouble for a start - what with Mugabe - oops, better say the heads of state of Zimbabwe, Myanmar, the UK, USA, China, Israel and goodness knowns how many more having been lambasted for one thing or another. Hope someone will bring us some decent food in jail! Mind you, I'd far rather pay the fine.

 

On which topic, since it can be an either/or sentence (but may be both), how on earth does 7 years in jail equate to Bt. 7,000, I wonder.

[PattayaMale]

I am so happy it does not apply to God. I would be in jail for life!

 

I did read that the Australian Government has asked for a Royal pardon for the author that has just been jailed.

[Guest shebavon]

"I am going to finish by quoting Section 133 of the Criminial Code. It shows that Thailand also respects the Royal Families and Head of States of other countries:

 

Section 133: Whoever, defaming, insulting or threatening the Sovereign, Queen, Consort, Heir-apparent or Head of Foreign State, shall be imprisoned from one to seven years or fined from two thousand to fourteen thousand baht, or both.

 

Frankly, I never defame, insult or threaten Sovereigns, etc... Fortunately, I guess now that Bush is no longer President, I can begin to tell the truth about how I feel? I still will not threaten, but insult?