November 22, 200817 yr Did you know that the Lese-Majeste law also applies to foreign kings and queens, as well as chief of state of foreign countries. I am really worried, now. Do you think they will come and get me for bad-mouthing George Bush? Lese-majeste law: Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code: jail term of 3 – 15 years for anyone who defames, insults or threatens: the king, queen, heir apparent or regent. Article 133: jail term of 1 -7 years or fine 2,000-14,000 baht or both jail term and fine for anyone who defames, insults or threatens king, queen, queen’s husband, heir apparent or chief of state of foreign country.
November 23, 200817 yr Unless I am very much mistaken, there are lese-majesty laws in every country where there is either a king or a queen (no jokes about draggy ones, please!). In those places where they don't, I am not sure what such laws are called, but I have no doubt that there are also some such laws about the things that people can say or do with regards to the head of state. The only difference would lie in how and how much the perpetrators are punished - and, I think, how much legal redress is available for anyone charged with breaking them.
November 23, 200817 yr Well thankfully in the UK I can safely say that the Royals should sod off if that is what I believe in the first place. Given that they have zero real effect on my day to day life then frankly I couldnt care less.
November 24, 200817 yr ^In the US we can say whatever we want about the president with the exception of anything that sounds like a physical threat. It is guaranteed under the first amendment to the constitution that I can say that Bush is a smirky little weasel who hasn't enough sense to come in from the rain, let alone be president. Now, ask me how I really feel.
November 24, 200817 yr Maybe my country could use a bit lese majeste. Last year a stand-up comedian, proposed to f*ck our Queen in her *ss, ........ etc. Not that I'm very queen minded, but too far is too far.
November 24, 200817 yr Not that I'm very queen minded, but too far is too far. If that's the kind of routine that particular comedian needs to use in order to be funny, then I don't think he's much of a comedian.
November 25, 200817 yr If that's the kind of routine that particular comedian needs to use in order to be funny, then I don't think he's much of a comedian. Correct. That's why my country doesn't have a lot of real comedians.
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