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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. |
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. |
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