Editor jailed for defaming Thai king

The verdict came despite repeated calls by rights groups to free Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, who has been jailed since 2011.

Thailand’s harsh lese-majesty laws have been criticised as a violation of free speech.

Two articles were published in Somyot’s now-defunct Voice of Taksin anti-establishment magazine, launched in 2009.

Judges found both articles contained content that defamed the royal family and argued that Somyot knew that and chose to print the stories anyway. The court handed down two five-year terms, one for each story. Somyot said he would appeal but would not seek a royal pardon.

Though the articles were published in 2010, Somyot was only arrested the following year, after launching a campaign to revoke Article 112 of the criminal code, which carries a jail sentence for “whoever defames, insults or threatens” the monarch or heir.