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US condemns arrest of Thai activist's mother over one-word Facebook post US condemns arrest of Thai activist's mother over one-word Facebook post
(4 months later)
The United States has condemned Thailand’s arrest of an activist’s mother for allegedly insulting the royal family in a one-word Facebook post.The United States has condemned Thailand’s arrest of an activist’s mother for allegedly insulting the royal family in a one-word Facebook post.
Patnaree Chankij, 40, was charged with violating Thailand’s severe royal defamation law and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.Patnaree Chankij, 40, was charged with violating Thailand’s severe royal defamation law and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Related: Apichatpong Weerasethakul: 'My country is run by superstition'
According to her lawyers, she was charged for writing “ja” – the Thai equivalent of “yeah” – in response to a private Facebook message critical of the royals.According to her lawyers, she was charged for writing “ja” – the Thai equivalent of “yeah” – in response to a private Facebook message critical of the royals.
Patnaree’s son Sirawith Seritiwat has been a thorn in the side of Thailand’s military junta since it seized power in 2014 and has himself often been jailed.Patnaree’s son Sirawith Seritiwat has been a thorn in the side of Thailand’s military junta since it seized power in 2014 and has himself often been jailed.
Washington – a former close ally of Thailand now increasingly exasperated by the government’s antics – condemned the latest in a series of arrests.Washington – a former close ally of Thailand now increasingly exasperated by the government’s antics – condemned the latest in a series of arrests.
“These actions create a climate of intimidation and self-censorship,” said Katina Adams, the State Department’s spokeswoman for east Asia and the Pacific.“These actions create a climate of intimidation and self-censorship,” said Katina Adams, the State Department’s spokeswoman for east Asia and the Pacific.
“We are troubled by the recent arrests of individuals in connection with online postings, and the detention of Patnaree Chankij.“We are troubled by the recent arrests of individuals in connection with online postings, and the detention of Patnaree Chankij.
“The arrest and harassment of activists and their family members raise serious concerns about Thailand’s adherence to its international obligation to protect freedom of expression.”“The arrest and harassment of activists and their family members raise serious concerns about Thailand’s adherence to its international obligation to protect freedom of expression.”
Thailand’s ailing 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s longest reigning monarch and revered by many Thais as a demi-god.Thailand’s ailing 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s longest reigning monarch and revered by many Thais as a demi-god.
Anxiety over his eventual succession has helped fuel the past decade of political turmoil, which the junta claims it is seeking to resolve.Anxiety over his eventual succession has helped fuel the past decade of political turmoil, which the junta claims it is seeking to resolve.
The military has become increasingly jittery ahead of a 7 August referendum on a new constitution it scripted and is determined to see pass.The military has become increasingly jittery ahead of a 7 August referendum on a new constitution it scripted and is determined to see pass.