Thai man arrested for 'liking' a doctored photo of Thai King, faces up to 32 years in jail

A Thai man has been arrested for "liking" a doctored photo of Thai king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, the military said on Thursday, December 10. 

According to AFP, 27-year-old Thanakorn Siripaiboo who also shared an infographic on Facebook about a growing corruption scandal was arrested at his home in Samut Prakan, near Bangkok, and charged with sedition, lese majeste and computer crimes.

Colonel Burin Thongprapai, legal officer for the junta told AFP:

     "On December 2, he clicked 'like' on a doctored photo of the King and shared it with 608 friends," He added that he had confessed to the charges and faced up to 32 years in jail.

The altered photograph reportedly portrayed the monarch in a negative light.

Under Thai law anyone convicted of insulting the revered but ailing 88-year-old Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the queen (both pictured above), heir or regent can face up to 15 years in jail on each count.

Record breaking sentences have been handed down in recent months to transgressors, most of whom are regime critics but also include senior officials swept up in nebulous corruption probes.

Thanakorn, who belonged to an opposition Red Shirt Facebook group, also shared an infographic about Rajabhakti Park, a multi-million-dollar park built by the military under construction contracts allegedly riddled with kickbacks and inflated costs.

     "He admitted that he posted the infographic of Rajabhakti Park to incite members of the group," to oppose the military, Burin said.

Thailand's generals seized power last year partially justifying their takeover as a necessary move to curb endemic corruption among the kingdom's civilian politicians and protect the royal family.