The decision by Thailand’s Constitutional Court to rule that Article 112 of the Criminal Code - the ‘lese majeste law’ - is a devastating blow to freedom of expression and internet freedom in Thailand and contradicts the constitution’s mandate to protect human rights. The Thai government has used Article 112 of the Criminal Code (Lèse Majesté) – which criminalizes defamation of the royal family – to curtail the space for diverse political opinions and freedom of expression online and offline.
Freedom House condemns the verdict on May 30 sentencing Thai webmaster, Chiranuch (Jiew) Premchaiporn to an eight-month suspended prison sentence and to pay a fine of 20,000 Thai Baht ($630) for comments posted by visitors to her online forum that were deemed “offensive” to the monarchy. She was convicted under the Computer-Related Crime Act (CCA), which holds internet service and content providers criminally liable for content they host or transmit. The verdict is yet another chilling indicator of the ever-shrinking space for free expression in Thailand.
Freedom House is saddened by the death of 61-year-old Thai citizen Ampon Tangnoppakul, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in November 2011 of violating the Computer-Related Crimes Act and Lèse Majesté law for sending text messages ‘offending the Thai royal family.’ His death calls attention to the pernicious Lèse Majesté Law, which bans comments deemed offensive to the royal family in violation of the universal right to freedom of expression and should be repealed.
