Blog Better be nice to the king
March 12th, 2007Oliver Jufer, a 57-year-old Swiss man, drunkenly spray-painted several portraits of Thailand’s beloved king Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was not a smart thing to do, though. Now he may face up to 75 years in jail.
The case throws a rare spotlight on the strict lese-majeste laws in Thailand forbidding any criticism of the monarchy, according to BBC. The popular reverence for the king is genuine, but the draconian laws deter most Thais from even discussing the monarchy. Because of that the judges did not even want the Thais to know about the case.
The trial was held ex camera to prevent any retaliation against the Swiss national as the Thais are religiously protective of their king.
“The Thais are lovely people. But you disrespect their King (especially the present holder of the title, who is genuinely revered) at your peril”, comments blogger Bill Cameron.
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