ASEAN Beat

Thailand’s Junta Deals Free Speech Another Blow

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ASEAN Beat

Thailand’s Junta Deals Free Speech Another Blow

The military bans an event on the country’s controversial lese majeste law.

Thailand’s Junta Deals Free Speech Another Blow
Credit: Flickr/Prachatai

On Monday, media sources reported that Thailand’s junta had banned the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) from holding a debate on the controversial lese majeste law.

The FCCT was planning on hosting a panel discussion on Wednesday evening on the law, which has long been criticized for being used to target political enemies of the state. According to Section 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count – one of the strictest punishments in the world for such an offence.

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