{Thailand sentenced two students to jail on Monday for 2-1\/2 years for insulting the monarchy in a university play, in a case which drew dozens of activists to a protest outside the court in defiance of a ban on demonstrations.}<\/p>\n
The country has been under martial law since a May coup. The convictions come amid anxiety over the health of ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 87, and the issue of royal succession.<\/p>\n
Thailand’s lese-majeste law is the world’s harshest and makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen or heir to the throne or regent. The junta has stepped up a campaign against perceived insults to the monarchy since it took power.<\/p>\n
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Porntip Mankong, 26, were both convicted on a count of lese-majeste, which carries a maximum of 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n
“Both suspects violated the 112 law and receive a five- year prison sentence … reduced by half,” a judge said, referring to the penal code section.<\/p>\n
The term was cut because both confessed, the judge said.<\/p>\n
Patiwat appeared in court in leg irons. The pair were arrested in August over a satirical play they put on more than a year earlier at Bangkok’s Thammasat University.<\/p>\n
The play, called ‘The Wolf Bride’, marked the 40th anniversary of an October 1973 military crackdown on a pro-democracy student protest at the university. Set in a fictional kingdom, it featured a fictional king and his adviser.<\/p>\n
In Thailand, lese-majeste complaints can be filed by anyone, against anyone, and are always investigated by police.<\/p>\n
Pornthip, who directed the play, said she was not afraid of prison.<\/p>\n
“I’ve learned many things – dancing, playing music and I’ve made many friends,” Pornthip told reporters before the verdict, referring to her time in detention since her arrest.<\/p>\n
About 40 student gathered outside the court wearing white shirts with the words “We are friends” in Thai and English. Some raised a three-finger salute that has come to represent opposition to the junta.<\/p>\n
The declining health of King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has formed the backdrop to Thailand’s 10-year political crisis spawned by competition for power between populist former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatraand the establishment dominated by the royalist military.<\/p>\n
The king has long been seen as a figure of unity above the political fray. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has yet to command his father’s level of popular support.<\/p>\n
Pornthip’s mother, Nuan Mangkong, told reporters the pair would not appeal: “We want this matter over.”<\/p>\n
World Bulletin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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