Thailand sees a jump in royal defamation cases after death of king

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Thailand sees a jump in royal defamation cases after death of king

By Cod Satrusayang and Panarat Thepgumpanat | BANGKOK

 

BANGKOK: -- Thai police are investigating 12 new complaints of royal defamation found on social media lodged since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej last week, a sharp rise amid intensifying scrutiny of anything deemed offensive to the monarchy.

 

The death last Thursday of the revered king, who was 88, after seven decades on the throne has plunged the Southeast Asian country into mourning and heightened sensitivity about the monarchy. King Bhumibol was seen as a stabilizing figure in a country often racked by political turmoil.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has moved quickly to quash any uncertainty around the royal succession, saying Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn would ascend the throne after a period of mourning that he had requested.

 

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-king-idUSKCN12J0ID

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2016-10-19