Thai woman gets 18 years in jail for insulting monarchy

A Thai court on Friday sentenced a political campaigner to 18 years in prison for insulting the monarchy, the latest in a slew of lese-majeste cases critics say are stifling dissent and freedom of speech.

The Bangkok Criminal Court handed the harsh sentence to Darunee Charnchoengsilpakul, a “red shirt” supporter of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

She was convicted of three counts of royal insults, each with a six-year sentence. Darunee, 46, also known as “Da Torpedo,” for her aggressive speaking style, has been detained without bail since July 2008 after delivering an exceptionally strong speech about the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin.

“It is what I expect to happen,” she said after the verdict. “I will appeal.” Insulting the monarchy, is a very serious offense in Thailand, where many people regard 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej as semi-divine.

Prior to her first hearing, Darunee said her speech was aimed at the generals who ousted former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile.