We’ve all said things we don’t really mean in text messages. But when a retired Thai truck driver sent an SMS that insulted his king, he got more than he bargained for. Twenty years more, in fact.
Because, according to the New York Times, a jury found Ampon Tangnoppakul’s text messages offensive enough to the Thai royal family that they sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Tangnoppakul, 61, was sentenced to five years in prison for each offensive message he sent.
To make this clear: he didn’t send a text message to the king. Or any member of the royal family. But under Thai law, that doesn’t matter. Harsh penalties exist for making insults or threats directed at King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family, even in private communications.
The guy’s lawyer, Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen, told the New York Times:
“He insists that he does not know how to send text messages. He insists that he loves His Majesty the King.”
The text messages in question were received by a senior government official, and it’s claimed that they defamed, insulted and threatened the king and his wife. The judge apparently rejected Ampon’s claims that his phone was being repaired at the time the messages were sent last May.
Sadly for us, the contents of the messages wasn’t revealed in court. It’s a shame for Ampon that this didn’t happen in Pakistan, though, because if the text messages included the occasional rude word, they might never have even made it to the recipient. [New York Times]
Image: lirneasia
Steve
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 9:02 AMOh Joffrey! Boys will be boys.
Ed
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 1:26 PMBest. Comment. Ever.
Ash
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 9:50 AMSo much for freedom of speech. The law itself is really shifty. If my mate grabs my phone when im not in possession of it, and sends an SMS to himself or someone else making insulting comments against the Thai King, how does a lawyer prove such a thing happen and therefore the owner of the phone is innocent? This law is as bad as the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Shameful.
Just This Guy ...
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 4:02 PMWell if King Bhumibol Adulyadej allows this kind of crap to go on, then he really IS a dick.
Oh noes.. Ima gonna get ‘rested now?
The Joker
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 8:46 PMInsane. Likely more the ass licking good for nothing hangers on trying to show how loyal they are to the royal family. Perhaps the royal family should get rid of them and then their subjects would be loyal in the first place. You can’t beat respect into people, you can only earn it.