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Police on Thursday charged a key leader of an anti-government movement with lese majeste for repeating insulting remarks about the monarchy in public, then freed Sondhi Limthongkul on bail.
Sondhi, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and founder of the Manager media group, surrendered to police after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest Wednesday.
Sondhi, who more than two years ago started the now nationwide fashion of wearing yellow T-shirts to demonstrate devotion to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was released on bail after hearing lese majeste charges against him.
The PAD organized months of protests against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006 for undermining the monarchy, among other charges.
With Sondhi's backing, the PAD now is trying to bring down the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Lieutenant General Asawin Kwanmuang, head of the Bangkok police, said Sondhi denied charges that he repeated in public insulting remarks about the monarchy made by activist Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, nicknamed Da Torpedo.
Daranee was arrested and jailed without bail Tuesday on lese majeste charges for remarks she made at a pro-government rally last week. The remarks have not been repeated in the press.
Under Thai law, it is illegal to insult or belittle the monarchy in public. Those found guilty of lese-majesty face three to 15 years in jail.
The law is controversial because it has often been manipulated for political purposes.
Jakrapob Penkair, a former minister in the prime minister's office, was forced to resign his post two months ago after being accused of lese-majesty for remarks he made last year.
Under Thailand's constitutional monarchy, the king and royal family are held above politics and hold no executive powers.
"The purpose of the law takes into account that the monarchy is held above conflicts, and the monarchy should not engage itself in any conflicts with the people, which means that the monarchy will be in no position to defend itself when it's offended," said Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party.
"I would say by all means review it [the law], but you need to come up with an answer as to how the institution of the monarchy can continue to be protected without having the monarchy using the right to sue people and to be in direct conflict with the people," he noted.
Thailand has been a democracy under a constitutional monarchy since 1932 when a group of young military officers ended the absolute monarchy with a coup.
His Majesty the King marked his 60th year on the throne in 2006 and is to celebrate his 81st birthday on December 5.
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Police on Thursday charged a key leader of an anti-government movement with lese majeste for repeating insulting remarks about the monarchy in public, then freed Sondhi Limthongkul on bail.
Sondhi, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and founder of the Manager media group, surrendered to police after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest Wednesday.
Sondhi, who more than two years ago started the now nationwide fashion of wearing yellow T-shirts to demonstrate devotion to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was released on bail after hearing lese majeste charges against him.
The PAD organized months of protests against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006 for undermining the monarchy, among other charges.
With Sondhi's backing, the PAD now is trying to bring down the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Lieutenant General Asawin Kwanmuang, head of the Bangkok police, said Sondhi denied charges that he repeated in public insulting remarks about the monarchy made by activist Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, nicknamed Da Torpedo.
Daranee was arrested and jailed without bail Tuesday on lese majeste charges for remarks she made at a pro-government rally last week. The remarks have not been repeated in the press.
Under Thai law, it is illegal to insult or belittle the monarchy in public. Those found guilty of lese-majesty face three to 15 years in jail.
The law is controversial because it has often been manipulated for political purposes.
Jakrapob Penkair, a former minister in the prime minister's office, was forced to resign his post two months ago after being accused of lese-majesty for remarks he made last year.
Under Thailand's constitutional monarchy, the king and royal family are held above politics and hold no executive powers.
"The purpose of the law takes into account that the monarchy is held above conflicts, and the monarchy should not engage itself in any conflicts with the people, which means that the monarchy will be in no position to defend itself when it's offended," said Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party.
"I would say by all means review it [the law], but you need to come up with an answer as to how the institution of the monarchy can continue to be protected without having the monarchy using the right to sue people and to be in direct conflict with the people," he noted.
Thailand has been a democracy under a constitutional monarchy since 1932 when a group of young military officers ended the absolute monarchy with a coup.
His Majesty the King marked his 60th year on the throne in 2006 and is to celebrate his 81st birthday on December 5.
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