TIMES ONLINE: An Australian novelist was jailed for three years by a Bangkok court today, the latest in a growing number of Thais and foreigners prosecuted for the crime of “insulting” the family of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Harry Nicolaides, a 41-year old teacher and part time writer was convicted on the basis of a 103 word paragraph about the alleged sexual peccadilloes of the royal family, particularly Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
He could have received a sentence of as much as twelve years and his decision to reverse an earlier plea of not guilty persuaded the judge to hand down the minimum sentence possible for the crime of lese majeste, or insulting the monarchy.
“He has written a book that slandered the king, the crown prince of Thailand and the monarchy,” the judge told the court. >>> Richard Lloyd Parry | Monday, January 19, 2009
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