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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Thai Activist Gets 18 Years for Insulting Monarchy

Thaksin supporter vows to appeal

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(Newser) – A supporter of Thailand's exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was sentenced to 18 years in prison for insulting the monarchy in what free speech campaigners describe as a severe attack on political dissent, Reuters reports. The 46-year-old woman was arrested last year after a fiery speech denouncing the 2006 coup that forced Thaksin from power. Critics of the law say it is prone to abuse, because anyone can bring a complaint no matter how minor the offense.

Thaksin Shinawatra supporters carrying boxes of petition march through nearby streets to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.
Thaksin Shinawatra supporters carrying boxes of petition march through nearby streets to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Buddhist monks participate in a march seeking a royal pardon for fugitive former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Buddhist monks participate in a march seeking a royal pardon for fugitive former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, in Bangkok, Thailand.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thaksin Shinawatra supporters carrying boxes of petitions march through nearby streets to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.
Thaksin Shinawatra supporters carrying boxes of petitions march through nearby streets to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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3 comments
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prowlerzee
Aug 28, 09 7:00 AM CDT
Wow...uniformity must be built into their national psyche, just looking at the pictures. That may be part of the reason that free speech and diversion from the norm are dealt with so severely. Reply
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iknowiknow
Aug 28, 09 8:01 AM CDT
and for this infraction Thailand gets 18 years of sanctions from all democracies across the world. Reply
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CaptainZ64
Aug 30, 09 1:54 PM CDT
Don't give Obama any ideas Reply
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