Thailand is seeking global cooperation in hunting down those accused of insulting the monarchy. Interpol warrants for 19 suspects in seven countries have been issued though there's no guarantee countries would extradite.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/W. Wanichakorn
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The country's military government has requested that several people be extradited for insulting the monarchy after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
"There may be a problem because if these crimes aren't illegal in the other countries, it will make extradition difficult," Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told reporters. "However, we can still ask for cooperation."
Thailand's lese-majeste law - which criminalizes criticism of the monarchy - is among the toughest in the world; speaking ill of the royal family can lead to up to 15 years imprisonment.
Following this month's death of the southeast Asian country's king, surveillance of online content has increased. The Thai government last week requested that certain videos be removed from the online platform YouTube. That's in parallel to a jump in the number of prosecutions for criticism of the monarch, the regent or the heir to the throne. Since taking power in 2014, Thailand's military junta, known officially as the National Council for Peace and Order, has taken a tough stance on dissenters.
Thailand ignores international criticism
Criticism from the international community over prison sentences for civilians found guilty of violating the lese-majeste law has so far not dissuaded the junta's tough line as it seeks to bolster ultranationalist sympathies.
"First, the extradition requests are part of scare tactics to curb the so-called violations, and second, to appease the powerful elite factions whose interests rely on ultra-royalism," Verapat Pariyawong, a visiting scholar at London's SOAS School of Law, told Reuters.
To date, no country has openly indicated readiness to extradite any suspect to Thailand.
jar/blc (dpa, Reuters)
Thailand's King Bhumibol - a life in pictures
Thailand's beloved monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej has passed away, leaving the nation in a state of utter grief. For over seven decades, he was seen as a unifying figure in the country. It's unclear what happens next.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The 'eternal king' is no more
At the age of 88, King Bhumibol died at the Siriraj hospital in Thailand's capital Bangkok, the royal palace said in a statement. No other Thai monarch had reigned as long. This June, Thais had celebrated his 70th jubilee. Bhumibol spent much of his time over the past few years in hospital with various health problems.
Image: AP
Prayers for an idol
Until the very end, the Thai people hoped that the doctors would once again be able to save and extend the life of the world's longest-reigning living monarch. But the aged king had suffered from acute pneumonia, in addition to a string of major health issues such as renal failure.
Image: Reuters/C. Subprasom
A world traveler
Born on December 5, 1927, in the US, Bhumibol spent much of his childhood and youth in Switzerland. Even after his coronation, he and his wife Sirikit remained frequent travelers and toured the world. The couple had four children: three daughters and one son.
Image: imago/Xinhua
Deeply revered
The king was widely revered in the country until his death. Bhumibol ascended to the Thai throne in 1946, when he was just 18-years old. The royal portrait is seen not only on the country's bank notes and stamps, but also in people's houses, even if it's not mandated by the state.
Image: Reuters/S. Teepapan
No criticism allowed
Supported by his popularity among the people and protected by a rigid "lèse majesté" law - which makes criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison - Bhumibol repeatedly pursued his interests, while contributing much to the cohesion of Thailand's divided society. To that end, he relied on a well-entrenched royalist network within the political, business and military classes.
Image: Reuters/A. Perawongmetha
A hobby photographer
In his private life, Bhumibol's hobbies included music and photography. The camera was one of the monarch's loyal companions. He also worked as a jazz musician and composed his own tunes. He once even played with jazz legend Benny Goodman.
Image: PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
An omnipresent figure
Although Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy, Bhumibol was more than a symbolic figure. He shaped the political, economic and social destinies of the country for decades.
Image: Reuters/J. Silva
A sacrosanct
Despite the political turmoil that shook Thailand during his reign, with a total of 17 coups taking place, Bhumibol was seen as a unifying figure in the Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (center of photo) is seen commemorating the 70th anniversary of the king's reign in June this year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/L. Suwanrumpha
The succession
The royal succession is an extremely sensitive topic in Thailand. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the king's 64-year-old son, is the heir apparent, but he has not achieved the same level of devotion that his father enjoyed. That's why it's rumored that some in Thailand favor the crown prince's more popular sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn (left), to take the throne.
