Intel: Don't Insult the King
Be aware of the Royal Defamation Laws.
You've likely seen the late 90s classic "Brokedown Palace." It is warning enough to know that you should never travel into Thailand with any sort of drug in your backpack. The Thais take their laws seriously, and that also extends to some fairly intense rules surrounding their Monarchy.
The highly criticized "lèse-majesté" laws protect the King, Queen, heir apparent, and regent from defamation, insult, or threats. It also applies to past monarchs. Anyone caught violating this law is subject to 3 to 15 years in prison, though some sentences have been longer. On the books since 1908, it is the strictest of its kind worldwide. Only the Thais have moved to make the law even more prominent in recent years. Foreigners in Thailand are subject to the law, including an American professor who was arrested earlier this year for publishing a subtle insult on a webinar he was conducting inside Thailand.
Long story short: don't say anything remotely negative or critical about Thailand's rulers while you are there.
Photo Credit: Love to Know
In each publication, Syllogi will share various tips, resources, and other odd bits of helpful information we have happened across in our research.
