Police arrest Thai activist for Facebook 'share' about new king
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thai police have arrested a student pro-democracy activist for sharing a story about the country's new king that was posted on Facebook by the Thai-language service of the BBC.
Duangthip Karith of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that law student Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa was arrested Saturday on a charge of lese majeste — insulting the monarchy — in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum.
The BBC Thai story was a profile of King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, who took the throne on Thursday, succeeding his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The arrest was apparently the first under the lese majeste law since Vajiralongkorn became king. Critics of the law, which carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison, say it is used to silence political dissidents.