The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, 1900 to today

Incident

Thailand: magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk is sentenced to 11 years under the lese-majeste law

ThailandRSF rank: not recorded

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

A Thai court sentenced magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk to 11 years in prison under Article 112 of the penal code, the country's lese-majeste law barring insults to the royal family, over two articles he published under a pen name.1234

What happened

On January 24, 2013, a Thai court sentenced magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk to 11 years in prison under Article 112 of Thailand's penal code, the country's lese-majeste law, which bars insults to the royal family and under which any Thai person may file a complaint even though royal family members themselves have never personally done so. The charge concerned two articles published in February and March 2010 in Voice of Taksin magazine under the pen name "Jit Polachan." Somyot later identified the true author as Jakrapob Penkair, a former government spokesman then living in exile in Cambodia. During his trial testimony, Somyot argued the articles referred to a broad aristocratic elite rather than the king specifically. CPJ's Asia program coordinator at the time, Bob Dietz, called the sentence the latest abuse of the lese-majeste law to suppress free expression in Thailand. Somyot completed his sentence in full and was released on April 30, 2018, telling reporters the country's military government had led Thailand backward and that he was disappointed democracy had not been restored.1234

Somyot served his full sentence and was released on April 30, 2018.4

What reason was given

Stated justification

The prosecution was brought under Article 112 of the penal code, Thailand's lese-majeste law, over the two 2010 magazine articles.1234

What changed for reporting

A magazine editor received an 11-year sentence as the person responsible for publication, rather than the pseudonymous author, of two articles a court found insulted the monarchy.1234

Timeline

2013

24 January 2013
Thailand: magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk is sentenced to 11 years under the lese-majeste law

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Yingluck ShinawatraotherPrime Minister of Thailand

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
Voice of Taksin magazineoutletaffected
Jakrapob Penkairjournalist, Voice of Taksin magazineaffected
Somyot Prueksakasemsukjournalist, Voice of Taksin magazineaffected

Sources

  1. Thai editor Somyot sentenced to 11 years in prisonCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2013-01-24, reporting. Source record
  2. Thai magazine editor freed after seven years in prisonCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2018-05-01, reporting. Source record
  3. Thai magazine's former editor jailed for insulting kingReuters, 2013-01-23, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. The court sentenced Somyot to 11 years in prison over the two 2010 magazine articles.11 years in prisonThai editor Somyot sentenced to 11 years in prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-01-24.Claim 605, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. The charge concerned two articles published under the pen name Jit Polachan in Voice of Taksin magazine.Two articles written under the penname "Jit Polachan" and published in Voice of Taksin magazine in February and March 2010.Thai editor Somyot sentenced to 11 years in prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-01-24.Claim 606, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. Somyot testified that the articles referred to a broad aristocratic elite rather than the king.the articles did not refer to the king, but instead to a broad aristocratic eliteThai editor Somyot sentenced to 11 years in prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2013-01-24.Claim 607, checked 2026-09-22.
  4. Somyot was released on April 30, 2018, after serving his sentence in full.Somyot completed his full sentence, so no conditions were placed on his release.Thai magazine editor freed after seven years in prison, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2018-05-01.Claim 608, checked 2026-09-22.