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Penal Code Section 112 — Lèse-majesté — offence against the monarchy
Penal Code (Criminal Code) (ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา) — Section 112.
Plain-English Summary
Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years. Section 112 is one of the most controversial and most strictly enforced provisions in the Penal Code; the offence is non-bailable in practice and applies to statements made anywhere in the world.
Context
This section sits within Book II, Title I — Offences relating to the Security of the Kingdom of the Penal Code (Criminal Code). It should be read together with the surrounding provisions and any applicable Ministerial Regulations, Royal Decrees or Revenue Department / Police orders that elaborate the detail.
Official Text
Official Thai text at the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State. Translation summary only.
Consult official sourceParent Statute
Penal Code (Criminal Code)
ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา · B.E. 2499 (1956)
The Penal Code is Thailand's principal criminal statute. Promulgated in 1956 to replace the earlier 1908 Penal Code, it sets out the general principles of criminal liability and defines the major substantive offences from offences against the State and the monarchy through to offences against the person and against property. It has been amended many times to introduce new offences and to modify penalties.
The summary above is a plain-English educational paraphrase of Section 112 of the Penal Code (Criminal Code). It is not an authoritative translation. For the binding Thai text, consult the Royal Gazette or the Office of the Council of State. Educational use only — not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer.
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