by Nina Somera

After more than three months in detention, Suwicha Thakor was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under Thailand’s Computer Crime Act of 2007 and lese majeste laws. Thakor, 34, was earlier accused of posting the digitally altered images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the internet.

Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act of 2007 penalises those who post illegal content on the internet. However, the law is vague in defining what constitutes illegal content. Meanwhile the lese majeste laws prohibit the expression and publication of views which are otherwise critical of the monarchy.

Thakho was convicted of one count of violation of the Computer Crime Act of 2007 and two counts for lese majeste. He would have received a 20 year sentence had he not pleaded guilty of these violations. By admitting to these violations, Thakor did not undergo trial but merely waited for the verdict.

According to Reporters Without Borders, after hearing the verdict, Thakor remarked, “I need help. I must remain in prison for 10 years, but there are five people who are dying,” referring to his father, wife and three children.

Free media activists are rallying behind him especially as the move was also read as politically motivated. Given the blessings of the royalty to the newly installed administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the strong implementation of leste majeste appear to harness the administration’s legitimacy.

Today, around 5,000 websites have been banned by the government while some individuals such as prominent academician and activist Ji Ungpakorn have been charged with violations of lese majeste laws. Just last month, Thai authorities arrested the webmaster of Pratchatai, an independent online media for allowing web visitors to post comments which are said to be prohibited by the country’s Computer Crime Act of 2007 and lese majeste laws. Although Chiranuch Premchaiporn was later released, nine new charges were filed against her in April 2009.

Thai Netizens Network and other groups continue to lobby for Thakor’s release and assist his family, displaying on their website the bank accounts where donations can be made.

Sources:
British Broadcating Corporation. (3 April 2009). “Thai man jailed for royal insult .”
Reporters Without Borders. (3 April 2009). “Internet user gets ten years in jail for posting content that ‘defamed’ monarchy .”
Somera, Nina. (20 January 2009). “Lese majeste invading Thai cyberspace .” 
Thai Netizen’s Network. (27 March 2009). “First verdict on CCA-LM is scheduled for the accused Internet user on April 3, 2009 .” 
_____. (18 April 2009). “Nine new charges against Prachatai webmaster ." 
_____. (8 April 2009). “Support for Mr Suwicha Thakor .”