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Thai police probe U.S. ambassador for alleged lese majeste remarks

Xinhua, December 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Thai police have launched an investigation into a speech made by U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies last month to determine whether it violated the kingdom's lese majeste law.

In a speech delivered at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) on Nov. 25, Davies expressed concerns over "the lengthy and unprecedented" prison sentences handed down by Thai military courts against civilians for violating the lese majeste law.

Days later, a number of protesters gathered at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok to protest against Davies' remarks regarding the law.

Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, stipulates that whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of 3-15 years.

In a statement issue on Wednesday, the FCCT said that it has been asked by the Thai Police to assist them in an official investigation into Davies' comments, and "is cooperating with the police."

Earlier, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby reportedly said in Washington that the U.S. government has the utmost respect for the Thai monarchy and Ambassador Davies reiterated long-standing U.S. policy on the issue of freedom of expression.

The U.S. embassy in Thailand has not as yet commented on the matter. Endit