Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Monarchy vs. Vandal [View All]


Thanks to a friend, Darren who send me story bout this old vandal who spray-painted several portraits of Thailand's king. And this guy has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
Oliver Jufer, 57, received a rare prison term after violating the southeast Asian nation's tough lese-majeste laws.
He could have faced a maximum of 75 years, but the judge reduced the term on account of Jufer's guilty plea.
Judge Pitsanu Tanbuakli said defamation of the king was 'a most serious crime'.
The long-time resident of Thailand was arrested in the northern city of Chiang Mai after defacing several portraits of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is revered by most Thais.
Police believe Jufer was drunk and angry that alcohol sales were ended early on 5 December in honour of the King's birthday.
The Swiss embassy in Bangkok said it respected the Thai courts and noted that 'the application of the Thai penal code in cases of crimes of lese majeste is rigorous'.
Thailand is one of the few countries which strictly prosecutes anything deemed to demean the royal family.
Other foreigners have violated the law in the past, but jail terms are rare.
Some links to this case:

Good topic for a discussions perhaps?