Lese majeste imposed on two theater activists in Thailand

Thailand's lese majeste law in the world's harshest, carrying three to fifteen years jail for defaming, insulting or threatening the monarchy. The right to freedom of speech and expression is very limited and policed strictly within the boundaries. Any statement that is against the monarch is considered to be a grave crime against the state and is punished as prescribed by the law.

Similar consequences were imposed on two theatre activists, both in their 20's for showcasing a play The Wolf Bride, about a fictional monarch and his adviser, performed at Bangkok's Thammasat University in 2013 to mark the anniversary of a successful 1073 anti-dictatorship uprising led by students. The motive of the students in performing a play that conveyed ideas against the system that is in place, was viewed as a heinous offence per se a crime towards the state.

The pair, a university student and a recent graduate had been in jail since August and their bail requests were repeatedly turned down. Both had pleaded guilty in December. A Bangkok Criminal Court judge said the play contained content that insulted and defamed the monarchy and was shown in front of a large audience. Pawinee Chumsri, the pair's lawyer, said they were not likely to appeal.