Military court sentences Thai web radio show host to 5 years in prison for insulting monarch
Posted Nov 18, 2014 09:23:36 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BANGKOK – A Thai military court has sentenced a Thai web radio host to five years in prison because it found the contents of his show insulted the country’s monarch.
Lawyer Sasinan Thamnithinan says the court found Kathawut Boonpitak guilty of violating Thailand’s lese majeste law, which punishes people who defame, insult or threaten the monarchy.
It was the first verdict on a lese majeste case that was delivered by the military court. After staging the May 22 coup, the military announced all such cases fall in their court’s jurisdiction.
Sasinan said Tuesday the court sentenced the defendant to less than the possible 10 years’ imprisonment because he had confessed to the offence.
She said Kathawut made the comments on the show on his website in March.
