Thai man faces jail for insulting king's dog with 'sarcastic' internet post

Case involving King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s pet Tongdaeng labelled ‘nonsense’,
but lèse-majesté cases have surged in Thailand since junta seized power

Oliver Holmes in Bangkok
Tuesday 15 December 2015 06.09 GMT Last modified on Tuesday 15 December 2015 07.33 GMT

A factory worker in Thailand who is facing up to 37 years in jail for insulting the military rulers is also being investigated for mocking the king’s dog.

Strict lèse-majesté laws in Thailand make it a crime to criticise, defame or insult members of the royal family, and can land people in jail for up to 15 years on each count.

Thanakorn Siripaiboon was charged by a military court with making a “sarcastic” internet post about Tongdaeng, or Copper, a much-loved street mongrel rescued by King Bhumibol Adulyadej from an alley.

Praised for her loyalty and obedience, Tongdaeng is a household name. The king wrote and illustrated a book about her in 2002 and an animated film this year, Khun Tongdaeng: The Inspiration, is second in the box office. “Khun” is a Thai term of respect.

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