Insult Or Defamation In The Current Thai Criminal Code

I ran across this a couple of weeks ago in the BKK post and Google was able to resurrect it for me. It's interesting how Thai law differentiates between face-to-face vs. published defamation. One key element here is that something shown in public on the internet can be considered to have been published.

"The structure of offences of insult or defamation in the current Thai Criminal Code is divided into three groups and six levels:

The first group is insult or defamation against ordinary persons. Insult against another person in his or her presence under Section 393 has a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding 1,000 baht, or both. The penalty for defamation under Sections 326 to 333 is imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both. The penalty for defamation by means of publication is imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 200,000 baht."

I just wonder what the civil penalty is that goes along with that?

The legal viewpoint is mostly about lese majeste and makes interesting reading .. Bangkok Post by: PROF DR BORWORNSAK UWANNO