The two elderly spouses, former in-laws of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, will serve two and a half years in prison. The judge reduced their sentence because they had "confessed". They are the latest in a series of relatives of the former Royal Highness to be targeted by authorities. The political turmoil linked to the fate of the monarchy.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - This morning the elderly parents of a former Thai princess were tried and sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being found guilty of "defaming" the monarchy.

Apiruj Suwadee, 72, and his wife Wanthanee (66) are the latest in a series of relatives of the former Royal Highness, Princess Srirasmi, long-time wife of the controversial Prince Vajiralongkorn, to be charged as part of a corruption case that emerged last year involving the entire family. The ruin of the former princess Srirasmi and her family comes at a time of anxiety and tension on the fate of the elderly king and the institution of the monarchy in Thailand.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 87, has been on the throne for 60 years, a record that has made him the longest serving monarch in the world. Thailand has some of the toughest Lèse-majesté laws in the world to protect the king's persona. Sentences can reach up to 15 years in prison. Critics note though that the military junta has used such laws in recent months to suppress dissent and rule the country with an iron fist.

The elderly couple have been sentenced to five years in prison, on a reduced sentence because they "confessed their guilt."

In recent months at least eight Srirasmi relatives were tried and imprisoned for treason: these include her older sister and brother in law, two brothers, a nephew and his parents. Another relative Pongpat Chayapun, former Thai intelligence chief, is serving 31 years in prison for a series of convictions related to an alleged criminal empire with interests in illegal gambling, extortion and kidnapping. But the first sentence was six years, also for treason.

Analysts and experts point out that the last decade of political turmoil in the country is deeply connected to increasing concern among the elite on the fate of the monarchy, following the death of the elderly (and sick) King Bhumibol. He spent several months in hospitals in the capital and only in recent days has made a (very rare) public appearance after a lengthy absence.

 

• THAILAND
• monarchy
• corruption
• trial
• military
• junta
• jail