BANGKOK — Thai police arrested a man who is accused of posting messages and photos on Facebook that insulted the king, authorities said Wednesday.
Thailand’s lese majeste law is the world’s harshest, mandating jail terms of three to 15 years for anyone who defames, insults or threatens the monarchy.
Pongsak Sribunpheng, 47, broke the lese majeste law and a related computer crime law by posting insulting Facebook content in 2012, said national police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thawornsiri. He said the postings could “incite chaos and hatred in the society.”
He said Pongsak confessed to the crimes and said he took part in the Red Shirt political movement. The Red Shirts were allied with the former Thai government, which was ousted by a military coup last year.