[1]Screenshot of the BBC Thai article about Thailand's new king
The government of Thailand is currently investigating [2] the Thai team of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for publishing [3] an ‘erroneous’ profile of the country’s new king.
Thailand enforces a strict lese majeste (royal insult) law which forbids [4] the public from criticizing the monarchy. A simple notice to authorities about a lese majeste violation is sufficient to compel the police to launch an investigation. Those found guilty of disrespecting the monarchy can face a prison term of up to 15 years.
Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej died last October after seven decades on the throne. His son became King Vajiralongkorn, Rama X last December 1.
A day after King Rama X ascended [5] to the throne, BBC Thai [6] published a brief biography of the new king, which quickly went viral [7] on social media. In just a few days, the post received [8] 27,000 ‘likes’ and was ‘shared’ by 2,500 Facebook users.
One of those who shared the article on Facebook was activist Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa. He was arrested [9] on December 3 for allegedly violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law. He was subsequently released [10] after posting a bail.
[10]Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa (second from left) is reunited with his family after his release from detention. Photo from Prachatai
It is not clear why the BBC Thai article [1] was deemed insulting to the new king. After the arrest of Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, Thai netizens and even journalists have not commented about the content of the BBC article.
But if the profile published by BBC Thai is similar to the article published [11] on the English website of BBC, perhaps Thai authorities were displeased to learn that BBC tackled the marriage, divorce, and other personal information of the new king. Some of the past controversies involving the new king were also briefly mentioned in the article. Even if these are public knowledge in Thailand, these are not discussed in mainstream media, in academia, or most especially within the bureaucracy.
A BBC spokesperson said [12] the BBC Thai article adheres to the media group’s editorial principles.
Aside from arresting Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has ordered local Internet Service Providers to block [13] the article. The police also ‘visited’ [14] the BBC Thai office but they found it closed for the day.
Grey sticker covered the locked glass door of the BBC office in Bangkok which no longer has any identification sign. #Thailand [15] #LM#BBCThai pic.twitter.com/jyWqD8nAMJ [16]
— Pravit Rojanaphruk (@PravitR) December 7, 2016 [17]
That an activist was singled out by the police for lese majeste-related arrest was seen by several groups as another indication of how the law has been used by the government to quell [18] dissent.
The army grabbed power in 2014 and has outlawed protests as well as strictly regulated the media. It drafted a new constitution this year to pave the way for the restoration of civilian rule, but it also guaranteed the control of the military in all branches of the government.
The iLaw network, which has been pushing for the amendment of the lese majeste law, explained [19] how the draconian law has undermined freedom of expression in Thailand:
It has engulfed the whole society with the notion that the monarchy is untouchable and unspeakable and people are supposed to practice self-censorship. They have to be utmost cautious when discussing any issues about the monarchy including during personal communication and public communication. Such condition has gravely compromised Thai people’s knowledge and understanding about the monarchy.