What is the longest lese majeste sentence ever?

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The Longest Lese Majeste Sentence Ever Was 87 Years in Prison

The most severe lese majeste sentence recorded was 87 years in prison, handed down to Anchan Preelert in 2021. This sentence was for 29 counts of royal insult. However, her sentence was later reduced to 43 years after she admitted to her violations. More recently, Mongkol Thirakot, a 30-year-old Thai man, is facing a potential 50-year prison term for royal insult charges stemming from social media posts. An appeal court added 22 years to his initial 28-year sentence from a criminal court, bringing his total to 50 years for multiple violations of Article 112 of the Thai criminal code.
Background of Thailand's Lese Majeste Law

Thailand's lese majeste law, known as Article 112 of the criminal code, is one of the world's strictest statutes protecting the monarchy from criticism. This law allows for a jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived violation against King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family. The severity of the punishments under this law has drawn significant criticism from international human rights organisations, who deem them extreme.
Recent Cases Under Article 112

The case of Mongkol Thirakot highlights the escalating penalties associated with lese majeste offences. He was initially arrested in April 2021 and sentenced to 28 years for 14 violations. The subsequent appeal court ruling not only upheld his prior conviction but also found him guilty of an additional 11 violations, leading to the cumulative 50-year sentence. His lawyer has stated that Mongkol denies any wrongdoing and intends to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Broader Trends in Lese Majeste Charges

The application of the lese majeste law has seen a significant increase in recent years, particularly since 2020. At least 262 individuals have faced charges under this statute since that year. This surge in prosecutions coincided with the emergence of unprecedented youth-led street demonstrations, during which protest leaders openly voiced criticism of the monarchy. These events have brought Thailand's stringent lese majeste laws and their implications for freedom of expression into sharp focus.

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What is the longest lese majeste sentence ever?

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