American Sentenced to Prison in Thailand…for Insulting the King
- Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:17am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Thai-born American Joe Gordon looks out from a cell after his arrival at a criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. The court sentenced Gordon to two and a half years in prison Thursday for defaming the country's royal family by translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of the king and posting them online. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand sentenced a U.S. citizen to two and a half years in prison Thursday for defaming the country’s royal family by translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of the king and posting them online.
The verdict is the latest so-called lese majeste punishment handed down in the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has come under increasing pressure at home and abroad to reform harsh legislation that critics say is an affront to freedom of expression.
The 55-year-old Thai-born American, Joe Gordon, stood calmly with his ankles shackled in an orange prison uniform as the sentence was read out at a Bangkok criminal court.
Judge Tawan Rodcharoen said the punishment, initially set at five years, was reduced because Gordon pleaded guilty in October. Defense lawyer Arnon Nampa said Gordon would not appeal, but would apply for a royal pardon.
The sentence was relatively light compared to other recent cases. In November, 61-year-old Amphon Tangnoppakul was sentenced to 20 years in jail for sending four text messages deemed offensive to the queen.
Gordon posted links to the banned biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej several years ago while living in the U.S. state of Colorado, and his case has raised questions about the applicability of Thai law to acts committed by foreigners outside Thailand.
Speaking after the verdict, Gordon said, “I am an American citizen, and what happened was in America.”
He also said he had no expectation of being let off easy. “This is just the system in Thailand,” he said. Speaking later in Thai, he added: “In Thailand, they put people in prison even if they don’t have proof.”
Gordon had lived in the U.S. for about 30 years. He was detained in late May during a visit to his native country to seek treatment for arthritis and high blood pressure. After being repeatedly denied bail, he pleaded guilty in October in hopes of obtaining a lenient sentence.
Thailand’s lese majeste laws are the harshest in the world. They mandate that people found guilty of defaming the monarchy – including the king, the queen and the heir to the throne – face three to 15 years behind bars. The nation’s 2007 Computer Crimes Act also contains provisions that have enabled prosecutors to increase lese majeste sentences.
The U.S. Embassy’s consul general, Elizabeth Pratt, told reporters in Bangkok after the ruling that Washington considered Gordon’s punishment “severe because he has been sentenced for his right to freedom of expression.”
Opponents of the laws say that while the royal family should be protected from defamation, lese majeste laws have often been abused to punish political rivals. That is especially true since the nation suffered a 2006 military coup.
Asked if he would stay in Thailand after serving his time, Gordon said: “I would like to stay and see some positive Thailand. I want to see the real, amazing Thailand, not the messy Thailand.”
Many had hoped that the administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which has some prominent supporters who have been accused of lese majeste, would reform the laws. The issue remains highly sensitive, however, and Yingluck’s government has been as aggressive in pursuing the cases as its predecessors.
Last weekend, New York-based Human Rights Watch urged authorities to amend the laws, saying the penalties being meted out were “shocking.”
The rise of the Internet in recent years has given Thai authorities many more targets to pursue. Last month, Information Minister Anudith Nakornthap said Facebook users who “share” or “like” content that insults the Thai monarchy are committing a crime. Anudith said Thai authorities asked Facebook to remove 86,000 pages between August and November because of alleged lese majeste content.
Gordon, a former car salesman, is accused of having translated excerpts from the unauthorized biography “The King Never Smiles,” published by Yale University Press, into the Thai language and publishing them in a blog. He also provided links to the translation to other two Web forums, prosecutors say.
In the banned book, author Paul M. Handley retraces the king’s life, alleging that he has been a major stumbling block to the progress of democracy in Thailand as he consolidated royal power over his long reign.
Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, is profoundly revered in Thailand and is widely seen as a stabilizing force. He was feted Monday on his 84th birthday, during which he called on his countrymen to unite in response to the worst floods in more than half a century.
The king is frail and has stayed at a Bangkok hospital for more than two years.
—
Associated Press writer Todd Pitman contributed to this report.
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Comments (63)
NHABE64
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:13amFirst of all, you don’t do this. The Thai people love their King and this is a major offense in Thailand. This bonehead knew that when he did it, he was born in Thailand and did it to be smart. Not feeling so smart now is he ? Help from the US ? No way you creep, stay there and rot in a Thai jail. He knew exactly what he did. Period!
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:05amThe state department should be throwing fits. The man is an American and his ‘so-called’ crime was done in America where it was not a a crime. He should not have gone back to Thailand for a visit. However…they have no business jailing an American for bull like this.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 2:11pmHe was a dual citizen. He was born and raised in and a citizen of thailand. He knew what the laws were and the risks he was taking in going back to thailand after having written the piece.
Are the laws stupid? Of course. But this isn’t some kind of international incident or great travesty.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 3:15pmThe Thai monarchy are acting like children.
The free market creates prosperity.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:17pmSorry, Rowgue- he’s 55 years old, he doesn’t have dual citizenship, regardless where he was born he had to choose which citizenship to maintain.
Report Post »As for this imprisonment, it’s happening with alarming frequency these days. I’m beginning to smell conspiracy to rile the J&JQPublic into a frenzy at the state department.
chanteuse
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:03amI have a cousin (American) who retired, moved to Thailand, married a much younger, Thai woman with two kids and plays golf all day. He is a trust fund baby, never held a real job in his life, hates America and is a clueless liberal. He’s always trying to tell us what a paradise Thailand is!
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:03amObama’s term as a dictator has already started..the foundations have been laid and it will commence after his fraudulent 2012 election.
Report Post »kimberlyjesus
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:56amThe LORD said come home to your country where you belong for the times will be getting worse. Gather your families to one place for security.
Report Post »B-Neil
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:45amAnybody who bows and gravels to another Human is a useless idiot. Royalty is a waist of National resources. Royaly is organized theft of self determination and Freedom. CARRY ON McDUFF
Report Post »goatrope67
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 1:09pmDoes your statement include Catholics?
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 1:52pm“Anyone who bows to bows and grovels to another human is an idiot”
Report Post »Wow, you just described the entire Lib-Progressive party including the head squatter in the White House (for bowing to more than one national leader).
Life is stranger than fiction eh?
TX_45_ACP
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:26amMay not be much different here soon. We have 600 ready-to-go FEMA camps and KBR now placing bids to activate those camps. http://static.infowars.com/2011/12/i/general/kbr-doc.pdf … and our wonderful government just passed the NDAA which permits the military to detain and interrogate supposed domestic terror suspects in violation of the Fourth Amendment and Posse Comitatus. Hey, I’m just sayin!
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:53amYet the Fed doesn’t consider the Fort Hood a home grown terrorist? WTF
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:07amTreatment for arthritis and high blood pressure in Thailand? After you post a book critical of the King? Not a wise move. Just because you are an American doesn’t mean you get American rights in another country.
A rule of thumb I developed in Vietnam and refind over the years. Never go to a country that arrests, kidnaps or shoots Americans as a matter of routine.
Report Post »oldchevyguy
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:21amWords to live by brother
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 1:54pmVery good point
Report Post »Alan
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:49am#%&@#! Thai king!!!!
Report Post »ares338
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:30amOther countries aren’t as supposedly tolerant as we are here in the USA so it would make sense to: THINK BEFORE YOU ACT STUPIDLY. Thank you.
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:25amThailand is very beatiful, and very very corrupt. As for the king, he needs to be anal probed by aliens.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:12amHere’s a hint, if you piss off your mother country and you know how corrupt it is, “don’t go back”. How stupid do you have to be? Just because you gained American citizenship doesn’t mean the rest of the world will bow at your feet.
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:30amexcept,,our king in chief bow‘s to everybody oversea’s and is praised for it!!
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:52amI read in another post on this topic telling barack he didn’t have to bow to Burger King. I lost it I hadn’t laughed that hard in months.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:05amI hope this isn’t our country in a few years, being detained for speaking out against thugs that want to destroy our country.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:12amSorry! But when BHO’s minions @ SEIU and other organizaitons (Obama’s “army”) take ouver this will be the norm; i.e. no more 1st, 2nd or any other amendment rights…..that’s “hope and Change” baby……….
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:18amThat’s why we have AttackWatch.com.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:44amYou know Obamas rubbing his greasy little girly paws together and giggling.
Report Post »Dictators are his heros and friends. That’s a fact.
He’s eating his Cheerios and getting milk all over his bib in excitement over the prospects.
Ookspay
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:43amThailand is beautiful, but it is very very corrupt. Apparently this is the only crime that you cannot buy your way out of. I used to travel there on business; shakedowns, staredowns, intimidation and payoffs. Bribery rules the day. Buddhists’ are very vocal against Christianity. Stay away. Want a nice beach, Go to Hawaii.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:35amNo Mr. Obumbler, you don’t have to bow to the Burger King
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:32amOH Please let him bow to THE Burger King: it is an AMERICAN entity!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:19amLMAO!!!! tee hee!!!!
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:33amJust how much longer do you think we have in these United States, at the rate we have gone the past 3-years, UNLESS we can get a bunch of those occupying DC to stand up! Am I going to have to run for one of those offices?
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:41amSo disgusted, I forgot to add: Turn him loose Thailand, and compensate him financially for the trouble you have caused!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:29am“The king is frail and has stayed at a Bangkok hospital for more than two years.”
Better watch out; calling a king “frail” is likely insulting!
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:12amWhy would anyone travel to Thailand to get treated for high blood pressure and arthritis?
Report Post »Dodsfall
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:51amIt’s too hard to find witch doctors in the US.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:28amWe have a similar law here in the USA: “Executive order 11490, sections 1205, 2002 which gives private land to the Department of Urban Development; the imprisonment of “terrorists” and those who speak out or write against the “government” (1997 Crime/Terrorist Bill)”
http://www.libertyzone.com/Communist-Manifesto-Planks.html
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:29am“None are more hopelessly enslaved, as those who falsely believe they are free….”
Report Post »StrongViolentType
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:27amRun your mouth – take your chances. Good life lesson for everybody.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:09amDid this man write these comments while in the USA? And than went to Thailand and was arrested?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:26amI hope the Obamas dont read this article……..
Report Post »LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:24amOh….and…..your country sucks. HA!
Report Post »LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:23amOh…and you dress funny. AND…your country sells teen sex….HA!
Report Post »Al Gored
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:20amTeen sex?
Report Post »I believe your off by a few years.
Al Gored
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:28amPreteen sex is more like it.
Report Post »MNH@wk
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 12:50pmThe King with tiny pee pee is not amused with those bringing up lighter punishments given to those doing the Sandusky to Thai children.
Report Post »LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:22amYo….King….YOU SUCK…..try to arrest me…you CROOK! Plus, your wife is ugly. Ha!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:22amI wonder how much longer it will be in this country, before we too will be sent to the gulag for speaking against out traitorous leaders?
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:37amJust try to burn Obama in effigy now and see if you don’t get a visit from the SS. We had a guy in OKC last year who got a visit from the SS for having a sign on his truck saying abort Obama. I‘ve no doubt that there are people in a gulag right now who are there because they spoke ill of or threatened the tyrannous gov’t that we currently have.
And anyone who thinks we don‘t have a tyrannous gov’t doesn’t understand the true meaning of debt. We are in debt because the politicians spent too much and the populace that voted them in is complicit. We are all under >$40,000 in debt for past gov’t expenditures and several hundred thousand if we do not reform the way we currently run things. In 2018 we will have to start dipping into that stack of gov‘t IOU’s in the SS trust fund and that money will either come from increased taxation or printing of money. Either way they will steal the money from the current taxpayers to pay off the debts of the previous generations. We live in tyranny daily.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 11:33pmTXPilot- confer sb 1867
Report Post »