Glyn Davies, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, gave a speech on Nov. 24 at the Foreign Correspondents' Club Thailand (FCCT), in which he spoke out against Thailand's lèse-majesté laws. The lèse-majesté laws state that any defamation, threat or insult to the royal family is punishable by long prison sentences, reported CNN. Davies is now being investigated by Thai police on a suspicion of having violated the law that he was criticizing.
The king, 88-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej, was born in the U.S. and was a key player in the close alliance between Thailand and the U.S. However, he has fallen ill, and as a result, the country has seen an increase in militarization and the monarchy has become highly politicized. Since May 2014, absolute loyalty to the monarchy has been demanded of all citizens, and Thai-American relations have become tense, according to The New York Times.
"We believe no one should be jailed for peacefully expressing their views and we strongly support the ability of individuals and independent organisations to research and to report on important issues without fear of retaliation," said Davies in his speech, reported AFP. His speech inspired many Thai people to gather outside the U.S. embassy in protest.
A complaint was filed against Davies, and if comments he made are found to be insulting to the king, there might be some form of punishment in store for him, said the deputy spokesman of the national police, Major General Songpon Wattanachai, reported The New York Times.
"I am a Thai person who reveres our king above everything. Any action of a person who incites disobedience towards the monarchy is unacceptable by the Thais," said Sonthiya Sawasdee, the man who filed the claim against Davies, reported The New York Times.
The speech he made has been sent to a translator and will be evaluated by police to scan for defamation to the king. However, as the U.S. ambassador, Davies could have diplomatic immunity and not be charged, according to The New York Times.
Winyat Chatmontree is a lawyer who specializes in cases relating to the lèse-majesté laws, and he said that the government's case against Davies is weak. He "didn't target the monarchy. His actions do not fall under the scope of the offense," said Chatmontree, according to The New York Times.
The American Embassy's spokesperson said that if the situation progresses, they will seek counsel from Washington before responding, said The New York Times. According to Human Rights Watch, the lèse-majesté laws are a human rights violation, noted CNN.
