Feel Like Making Fun of the Thai Royal Family? Read this first!
The Thai Royal Family and the Lèse-Majesté Law: A Black Mirror scenario Welcome to the Land of Smiles, where the sun shines bright, the beaches are pristine, and the monarchy is, well, let's just say, highly revered. In Thailand, the royal family isn't just a symbol of national unity; they're practically demigods, and woe betide anyone who dares to suggest otherwise. The Lèse-Majesté Law: Because Free Speech is Overrated Thailand's lèse-majesté law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, is a gem of legislative overreach. It states that anyone who "defames, insults, or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent, or the regent" can face a cozy prison stay of three to fifteen years. Yes, you read that right, up to fifteen years for daring to utter a word against the royal family. It's like the ultimate game of "Who's the Boss?" but with much higher stakes. The law is so broadly interpreted that even the slightest hint of critic...